Talk:William Batten

Batten as Surveyor of the Navy
I am doubtful about the statement that "Pepys made insinuations against him but there is no evidence to show that Batten, in making a profit from his office, fell below the standards of the time." (a) It was expected that office-holders would make most of their money from fees and presents. (b) My copy of Pepys's diary is in store at the moment, but as I recall, Pepys made specific allegations. (c) Again subject to the accuracy of my memory, some of these allegations were connected with Batten in his role as Master of Trinity House. --Martin Wyatt (talk) 20:56, 20 July 2011 (UTC)


 * I have come across this comment from seven years ago. On checking, I find that the entry is reasonable, but the editors of the Diary say that the allegation of incompetence is easier to sustain.  --Martin Wyatt (talk) 20:24, 13 April 2018 (UTC)

Batten as a whaler
Dubious categorisation. Certainly not what he is known for. Wikipedia adds more and more trimmings that tell you nothing. --Martin Wyatt (talk) 20:24, 13 April 2018 (UTC)
 * I was surprised by Whaling in the United Kingdom. Certainly there is history there to be written. Carbon Caryatid (talk) 09:29, 14 April 2018 (UTC)