Chap. II. COMMANDER JOHN ROSS. 21 



intelligent they may be, are not equally qualified ; 

 it requires a peculiar tact, an inquisitive and per- 

 severing pursuit after details of fact, not always 

 interesting, a contempt of danger, and an enthusiasm 

 not to be damped by ordinary difficulties. " 



In fact Commander Ross's services, previous to 

 this voyage, were only adapted — as Sir George 

 Hope, and indeed he himself has stated them — to 

 qualify for the ordinary duties of a good seaman ; 

 but least of all, as will be seen, for conducting a 

 voyage of discovery. " In the year 1786," he says, 

 " I entered the royal navy ; continued in it for four 

 years; was in the merchant service till 1794; in 

 the East India Company's service till 1799 ; then re- 

 turned to the navy ; acting lieutenant of the Weasel, 

 of the Clyde, &c. Went with Lord de Saumarez as 

 midshipman, often acting lieutenant, but ranked 

 only as midshipman ; confirmed as lieutenant in 

 1805 ; served as first lieutenant in three different 

 ships; promoted commander in 1812, and com- 

 manded three different ships."* He might have 

 added, never served out of the Baltic and the White 

 Sea, except once, on the north coast of Scotland. 



Now it may broadly be stated that Commander 

 Ross, by his own showing, did not at all answer 

 the description of an officer fitted for the present 



* His examination before a Select Committee of the House of 

 Commons on the Arctic Sea Expedition. 



