HON. CAPTAIN PHIPPS. 301 



Cook had about this period furnished informa- a.d. 



1 773. 



tion of the first importance as regarded the pre- 

 vention of this dreadful malady, and accordingly 

 several alterations were made in the nature of the 

 provision supplied ; and the comfort of the sea- 

 men was farther considered by a gratuitous issue 

 of clothing, adapted to the rigour of the climate. 

 Among the useful articles with which the ships 

 were supplied, was an apparatus for distilling fresh 

 water from the sea, the invention of Dr. Irving, 

 who accompanied the expedition as surgeon. 



The possibility of some serious accident befal- 

 ing the ships, suggested the propriety of adapt- 

 ing the boats to the conveyance of the crews, 

 consisting of ninety persons in each vessel, and 

 of protecting them against the inclemency of the 

 climate, to which the people would in such an 

 emergency be exposed. 



Captain Phipps was considered an officer of 

 great experience and scientific attainment, and 

 Mr. Lyons, of mathematical reputation, was en- 

 gaged to accompany him as astronomer. The 

 Royal Society supplied every requisite informa- 

 tion upon subjects to which it wished to direct 

 attention ; very full instructions in the branch 

 of Natural History were furnished by Mr. (after- 

 wards Sir Joseph) Banks, and the best instru- 

 ments in use in those days, were supplied, in- 



