Letter from Henry May, London, to his mother Emily May, 1856 October 11 : autograph manuscript signed.

Writing that his father will be pleased to learn that he has been promised a berth as 2nd aboard Captain Smith's ship the "Cornwallis", and adding that the appointment is "not lucrative" but should give him an opportunity to "pick up my seamanship again", and that he has heard from an acquaintance that the skipper is "quite a gentleman" and that "there is every probability of her turning out a comfortable ship", although "the luxuries of the Screw Service I cannot of course expect" (a reference to his recent appointment aboard the steam or "screw" ship the "Golden Fleece"); mentioning that he went with another officer to seek advice from "Mr. [James] Laming" (founder of the recently dissolved General Screw Steam Shipping Company) and was told that there was a possibility that the company might be revived, but in that event "its late officers would have preference for promotion"; recounting his time spent calling on various contacts and acquaintances, including a visit with (his brother?) William ("Willie") May; adding in a postscript that he is hoping for a cheque for £3 to purchase a copy of "Sheet Anchor" (presumably a reference to the publication "The young sea officer's sheet anchor; or A key to the leading of rigging, and to practical seamanship," by Darcy Lever)