An Advertisement, Relating to Lead-Sheathing in General, and particularly That upon the Worcester bound for Guinea, a Ship newly Sheathed, and now lying in Mr. Newman's Dock in Lymehouse-Hole, but goes out in two or three days time, 20 of November. 1699.  
THIS Ship is Sheathed with led from the Keel up as high as any Wood-sheathing goes, where, upon a bare View, any one that is unprejudiced must be convinced of its Excellency and Goodness in Preferrence to that of Wood, without recourse to Experience, which has abundantly justified it in every particular, viz. better Preservation of the Plank, Seams, Ironwork, and benefit of Sailing, as well as certain Security from the Worm, upon 〈◇〉 30 Ships, against all the false and ridiculous Stories its Enemies have formerly raised against it, as Mr. Hale has often Proved, Published, and Challenged any one fairly to Answer that can; but they wisely decline that, knowing it will not bear a public Test, but still go on with their positive Averments, and private Insinuations with their Friends, to raise new Stories as the old ones are baffled, as they have lately done, That it did rot and decay the Okam in the Seams, which was never heard of before, for that in truth it preserves it longer, as he has proved from Reason and Experience in the Antilopes Evidence, &c. which story being new invented, to make it necessary( if Owners will sheathe with led) to strip the Sheathing every Voyage, that the charge thereof may make them weary of it: Mr. Hale( to put an end to these Tricks) was advised to address himself at a General Court to the English East India Company, as great patrons of our Trade, and Improvements, which he did by a Proposal of Lead-sheathing, as an Invention of great Use and Benefit to the public, as well as those that used it, desiring they would be pleased to take the same into their Consideration, and upon due Examination and Enquiry into the Merit and Goodness thereof, in pference to that of Wood hitherto used, and of the Truth and Validity of the Objections made against it) if they should find the thing itself deserved it, that they would be pleased to give it their Countenance and Encouragement accordingly.  
This Proposal they referred to the Consideration of their Court of Directors, 2 Feb. last, who having taken time enough fully to inform themselves, and to consider thereof( not thinking it reasonable to impose the Lead-sheathing upon any one) 21 Sept. last, were pleased to make an Order, That it be left indifferently to all Owners of Ships to be taken into their Service, to sheathe them with led or Board, as they think fit; but that it he recommended to them to prefer led Sheathing, and that the Companies Husband[ having discovered great prejudice against it] be enjoined to be indifferent in the Matter, and to show their Satisfaction therein, and full Approbation thereof, for the encouragement of others, the 18 of Octob. last, They ordered the May-Flower, which they had newly bought( being the first Ship they had of their own, and which they designed to remain long a Coaster in the Indies) to be Sheathed with led, and that the care be committed to Mr. Hale to have the Seams well Caulked; the Rudder Irons Sound and well Wrought, and all the Iron work parceled himself, which their Husband was not a ware of: So that it is to be hoped its Enemies will now think themselves obliged to acquiesce at last, after a determination of the Point by such Judges, that must be satisfied upon a Full and Impartial enquiry into the Truth, and Merit of the Matter before them, and that the Shipwrights will undertake for the well Caulking of the seams, and due parcelling of the Ironwork( that they shall at least, last as long under a led, as under a Wood-sheathing) for the future, that they may be trusted therewith as formerly, which otherwise they cannot be, if they shall have it in their Power to charge the ill effects of their own wilful or careless neglect of the well performing so necessary a Work for the Ships Health, upon the Leadsheathing as the cause thereof.  
It is true indeed, that upon searching the May-Flower, to fit her out for their Service they found her Bottom eaten with the Worm, and so rotten that they were forced to lay her a side, and ordered their Husband to look out for another, who knowing she was to be Sheathed with led, delayed the time, and at last pretending he could find none in the River that was so fit for their Service, as a new Ship already Sheathed with Wood upon the Stocks, and her Voyage requiring dispatch, they bought this Ship. He props'd one Wood Sheathed-Ship to them before, but it seems they did not like her, and he was resolved they should have no other, wherein their Husband has shown his cunning to serve his Friends, what cause soever his Masters have to thank him for it.  

Mr. Hale lives at the Mill'd-Lead-sign, in Orange-Street by Red-Lyon-Square, who undertakes Covering of Churches, Houses, and all Work wherein Sheet led is used, as well as Sheathing Ships, &c. having able Plumbers and Workmen, sufficient to perform the same: And may be heard of also at John's in Burchenlane, or Batson's Coffee-houses.