The Batavian government rewarded Story for helping the transfer of power by placing him on a commission to inventory ships and naval installations. Its May 1795 report described the fleet as being in a deplorable condition and called for an ambitious construction program beginning in 1796. The proposal then bogged down in the same political debate that had hindered the previous regime. The government diagnosed naval weakness accurately but still failed to build the remedy.
Notable Point · 47:58-49:03
A fleet survey could not overcome political delay
Story's commission identified a badly neglected fleet and proposed new construction, but legislative debate stalled the program that was meant to restore naval strength.