48 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' 



saving of coal is of such prime importance, as in the case of 

 the Polar exploring ship, they must long remain a useful 

 auxiliary. Although the ' Discovery ' was very slow under 

 sail alone, unless running before a strong breeze, there were 

 many occasions when the sails proved an immense assistance 

 to the engines. 



In the foregoing pages I have endeavoured to give some 

 description of the ship which was built at Dundee, 1 900-1, 

 and which on March 21 of the latter year was launched and 

 named the ' Discovery ' by Lady Markham. When, after 

 gliding smoothly into the waters of the Tay, she was brought 

 back to the dock side, it was to be invaded by a small army of 

 workmen, to receive her engines and boilers, to undergo her 

 successful trials, and generally to be prepared for that voyage 

 to the Thames in June which I have already mentioned. 



From the brief manner in which I have dealt with the 

 ' Discovery ' it will be seen that the initial labours of the Ship 

 Committee and the high intelligence of Mr. W. E. Smith had 

 provided us with the finest vessel which was ever built for ex- 

 ploring purposes. If I had little cause to complain concerning 

 the instrument thus put into my hands, I had equally little con- 

 cerning the officers and men who were to assist me in using 

 it. The manner in which they did their work and the loyalty 

 with which they supported me will appear in these pages ; but 

 here I would wish to introduce the reader individually to that 

 roll whose members faced hardships and difficulties with in- 

 variable cheerfulness and elected to remain at their posts 

 whatever might betide. 



Ten officers besides myself messed together in the small 

 wardroom of the ' Discovery.' The senior of these was 

 Lieutenant Albert B. Armitage, R.N.R. Armitage had spent 

 a great number of years at sea, joining the training ship 

 ' Worcester ' in 1878. He had passed through that ship with 

 credit, and after an excellent practical seamanship training in 

 sailing ships, had been appointed to a position in the P. and O. 

 Company's service. In this service he had remained nominally 

 ever since, but in 1894 he had been granted leave of absence 



