IN SEARCH OF THE EIRA. 141 



of Europe was taken. Sir George ISTares, who sat on 

 the committee, drew up an exhaustive memorandum, 

 thoroughly examining every eventuality which might 

 have occurred to the explorers ; and Sir Allen Young, 

 having offered his services, was intrusted with the 

 task of selecting, fitting out, manning, and command- 

 ing the relief vessel Government so far co-operating 

 as to contribute 5000 towards the expenses of the 

 expedition, at the same time allowing any naval 

 'officers to serve under Sir Allen whom he might 

 select ; whilst the Royal Geographical Society con- 

 tributed 1000 any further cost being undertaken 

 solely by Mr Valentine Smith. 



The Hope, a steam- whaler of 276 tons register, was 

 chosen by Sir Allen Young as a vessel in all respects 

 suitable for the work of the expedition. Strongly 

 built, double-planked about the water-line, fortified 

 within with iron frames, and shod with iron at the 

 bow, she had a reputation even amongst whalers as 

 being a ship of no ordinary capacities for encounter- 

 ing heavy ice ; and those who sailed in her were fully 

 persuaded that she was as good a ship for the purpose 

 as could be procured. The crew whom Sir Allen 

 Young engaged for the voyage, consisted in part of 

 old Avhalers, some of whom had served previously in 

 the Hope, and of ex-man-of-war's men, with a few 

 trusted hands who had been with Sir Allen in his 

 Arctic voyages in the Pandora. The vessel was 

 brought round from Peterhead to London to be com- 



