Dear Sue
thank you again
yes that is the scanned image I am referring to, hand written by the captain (although I feel sure I have seen the very left edge with the word"Jas" on it - things are coming thick and fast at the moment). the date is 23rd but looking at it carefully it seems to have been corrected- he seems to have originally written it on the 21st, then on the very top of the page isn't there a notation which says " rev'd 23rd March" as though he revised something on 23rd March then re-labelled the whole document as 23rd, even though it was actually written on 21st. I dont think that had anything to do with mr radcliffe except that it would make the newspaper announcement of arrivals ( dated 21st) the same day as the actual ship's arrival which would make more sense. I imagine him therefore getting off and walking down to "customs" on the end of the pier and saying "I am Mr Parker".
I did see your note about the book of deserters. I could get a relative to make the trip in to the library- where do they need to go and what do they need to ask to see it???
many thanks again
David