CHAP. I.] THE EQUIPMENT OF THE SHIP. oo 
November 30th, 1872. 
Read the following letter: 
“ ApMIRALTY, 27th November, 1872. 
“Str,—I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admi- 
ralty to thank you for your communication of the 22d inst., in regard 
to the objects of research which the Royal Society have in view with 
reference to the intended voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, and to acquaint 
you that they are desirous of affording to the President and Council 
of the Royal Society, as well as the members of the Circumnavigation 
Committee, an opportunity of inspecting the ship, and the arrange- 
ments made with a view to her equipment for the service she is in- 
tended to perform. 
“2, My Lords therefore invite those gentlemen to proceed to Sheer- 
ness on the 6th proximo for the purpose of visiting the Challenger ; 
and a saloon carriage will be ordered to be in readiness to convey them 
to that port by the 10.30 a.m. train from Victoria Station. 
“¢3,. The visitors will be able to return by the 5.10 train from Sheer- 
ness, and free railway passes will be provided for them both ways. 
They will also be met by their lordships’ hydrographer on the occasion. 
“4, T am to request you will inform me, as soon as may be conven- 
ient, of the number of the gentlemen who will avail themselves of their 
lordships’ invitation, in order that the proper number of tickets may be 
procured. Iam, sir, your obedient servant, 
“Ropert Hat. 
“The Secretary of the Royal Society.” 
Before the expedition left England, Dr. William Stirling resigned his 
appointment as naturalist; and Dr. Rudolf von Willemoes-Suhm, 
Privat- Docent in Zoology in the University ef Munich, was appointed 
by the Admiralty in his place, on the recommendation of the Council 
of the Royal Society. 
