Admiralty Instructions. 5 



compass as to compensate for the attraction of the ship. This 

 was ascertained by taking the compass on shore, and placing the 

 plate at such a distance as produced the same effect which the 

 iron did on board. At that distance it is then placed abaft the 

 compass. With us it was placed with its centre 7f inches below 

 the horizontal plane of the compass card, and S\ inches from the 

 perpendicular line which passes through its point of support. 



Our compass, with its plate affixed, is placed on a three-legged 

 stand, so high that the distant bearings can be taken from it. 

 This, of course, the helmsman cannot see. We have therefore 

 another, or steering compass ; the courses are, however, to be 

 registered from the one with the plate. It will be seen how 

 completely successful this plan proved. It had not hitherto been 

 tried in high latitudes, where, however, it is of most essential 

 consequence. In these experiments I was principally assisted 

 by Mr Henry Foster, one of my midshipmen, who had formerly 

 made trials by Mr Barlow's desire, but being in low latitudes 

 the results were less remarkable. 



May 9. — This day I received my instructions, which were to 

 the following eflFect : — 



" Y«u will put to sea with the sloop you command, and proceed to Nor- 

 way, about the latitude of 70% where Captain Sabine will make observations 

 upon the pendulum. Upon his having completed them at that station, you 

 will make the best of your way along the west coast of Spitzbergen, and in 

 the best part you can find, about the parallel of 80°, he will again make far- 

 ther observations. He is to have every assistance afforded him that he can 

 require, or you can give. Upon their being completed, you will proceed, if 

 the ice will permit, to endeavour to make the eastern coast of Greenland, 

 along which you will proceed northerly, as for as the season will allow, con- 

 sistent with the safety of the vessel, in order to afford Captain Sabine oppor- 

 tunity of repeating his experiments on that coast in the highest latitude 

 which can be safely reached 4 and, when the obstructions you may meet with 

 from ice shall induce you to return, you are to make the best of your way to 

 Deptford, and report your arrival to us. 



" Although it is our intention and desire that you should return to Eng- 

 land at the close of this season, yet, as it is possible that unforeseen circum. 

 stances may occasion your being caught in the ice, and unable to extricate 

 yourself^ we have thought it prudent to order the sloop you command to be 

 fitted and stored in such a manner as will enable her to winter in those high 

 latitudes, if you should find yourself obliged by tlie circumstances before al- 

 luded to, to do so. In such an event you will choose tlic safest and most 

 convenient port you can find, using every possible precaution for the preser- 

 vation of the ship's company from the effects of cold, and by proper exercise 



