INTRODUCTION. b- 



materially indebted to the suggestions of my friend Mr. Hooper, purser 

 of the Fury, the ships were effectually victualled and stored for a 

 period of three years. During the progiess of their equipment they 

 were occasionally visited by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 

 and the Comptroller of the Navy, and subsequently by Lord Viscount 

 Melville, who was pleased to express his approbation of the various 

 arrangements. As however the ships, when completely stowed, were 

 found to be very deep in the water, it was deemed advisable, to prevent 

 the possibiUty of risk, that the Expedition shoidd be accompanied by 

 a transport as far as the margin of the ice, in order to reheve them of 

 a part of their lading in crossing the Atlantic ; and the Nautilus, of 

 four hundred and five tons, Lieutenant William Scrymgour agent, was 

 appointed by the Navy-Board for this purpose. A portion of the 

 weight was accordingly removed on board the Nautilus till the ships 

 were considered to be in safe trim ; and some extra stores were also put 

 into the transport, to enable us to complete the Expedition to the time 

 of her leaving us. Of these perhaps, twenty hve bullocks and a quan- 

 tity of coals (making our whole supply in each sliip one hundied and 

 eighteen chaldions) were not the least important. 



A number of valuable chronometers and instruments, of wliich a 

 list is here subjoined, were embarked on board each sliip ; and a variety 

 of useful experiments, for wliich the requisite materials were provided, 

 were suggested by the Council of the Royal Society, to be conducted 

 by Mr. Fisher as circumstances might permit in the course of the 

 voyage : — 



