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4. The Captain Superintendent of Police informs me that men engaged from the Thames Water Police are not the type that will be useful in carrying out their duties here, and will probably have to be employed in the Land Police. The Police launches here are used for patrolling in the open sea round our very dangerous coasts, the patrols, with double crews lasting 48 hours. This is the only means by which we can defeat the close watch kept upon the launches by those engaged in piracy or armed robberies from the sea; and for this duty involving exposure in heavy weather, and habits of discipline necessary in the event of conflict, trained seamen are necessary. It is possible that the Thames Water Police Force is recruited from retired men of His Majesty's Navy, as also the Liverpool Force, otherwise I shall be glad if you will inquire from the Crown Agents why so wide a departure from the instructions in paragraph 6 of my despatch No.499 of 17th November.
5. The Captain Superintendent of Police is anxious that no more men shall be engaged, except they are of the description usually engaged through the Naval Agency. This request is based upon the assumption that the Water Police of London and Liverpool are not trained Seamen from the Royal Navy.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant.
Henry Anney
GOVERNOR, &c.
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