SOLVED. Sci-fi New captain Old space ship, Psychic communications experts with dog brain in jar [s]

[Purcey]

Lost this in a pile of ebooks. Cant remember the name for the life of me.

It is a Sci-fi book about a new captain who gets command of an old ship and her crew.

Most memorable thing was the ship has Psychic communications people who use dog brains in jars as amplifiers for communication. Don't worry the dogs are mostly OK the Psychics are good friends with them. The psychic on this ship is a drunk and had to get a new amplifier after puring whiskey in its jar (they think it was coffee that followed that did the damage)

The crew are resistant to the new captain coming aboard.
They stop at a colony that has giant slugs that are protected species on the landing pad.
They are searching for "lost colony's"
Just discovered an ancient alien planet. Think 1800's aliens have steamboats and air balloons.

Thats about where I got up to before my Ereader lost it.

I appreciate any help. Thanks

Not sure of the title, author, character names or ship names :(

[Lisa]

Meridian?

[Purcey]

Found it. The date got reset somehow on my Ereader putting it last instead of first, even behind my unread books.
Its called 'The big black mark' by A. Bertram Chandler. Its a strange story they just found Australia planet. I am not sure if its really bad or really good.