*1 



2 SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 



and the most lively interest in our success, could suggest. On the same day, 

 the ships' companies received their arrears of river-pay, and three months' 

 wages in advance ; after which they provided themselves with a large stock 

 of warm clothing, according to a list previously given out. The crews were, 

 however, so well acquainted with the nature of the service on which they 

 were about to be employed, that they took good care to provide an abundant 

 supply of every thing of that kind. 



Previously to leaving the Nore, I furnished Captain Lyon with a complete 

 copy of my Instructions from the Lords Comm>isioners of the Admiralty, 

 accompanied by an order containing some general regulations ; and I also 

 appointed certain places of rendezvous, to ensure the meeting of the three 

 ships at the margin of the ice, in case of unavoidable separation in crossing 

 the Atlantic. 



Tues. 8. On the 8th, at half-past three A.M., we weighed from the Little Nore, and, 

 being favoured with a fresh breeze from the southward and westward, passed 

 through Hoseley Bay at noon, when, the weather becoming thick, I was 

 induced to run out at the back of the sands, lest we should not be able 

 to distinguish the lights clearly at night. The wind soon after backing 

 more to the westward, prevented our getting in with the land, for the pur- 

 Wed. 16. pose of sending away our pilots, till the 16th when, being off Buchaness, 

 they were put into a sloop bound to Leith, and our despatches and let- 

 ters forwarded by the same opportunity. 

 Frid. 18. On the morning of the 18th, being off Copinsha, one of the Orkney 

 Islands, and the wind continuing fresh from the northward, which prevented 

 our getting round them in that direction, pilots were taken on board to run 

 the ships through the Pentland Firth. In the course of the afternoon, 

 however, while standing through, the wind backed to the westward of 

 north, with heavy squalls, which would not have allowed us to clear the 

 land with the ebb-tide. I determined, therefore, on anchoring in Widewall 

 harbour, which we did at four P.M., in six fathoms, and immediately set 

 Sat. 19. about completing our water. On the following day, I addressed a letter to 

 the Secretary of the Admiralty, acquainting him with the proceedings of the 

 Expedition up to this date. 

 Tues. 22. The wind remaining nearly in the same quarter for several days after 

 our arrival, it was not until the 22d that we were enabled to weigh and 

 stand to the westward, through, the Firth. As we proceeded, however, the 

 wind gradually veered to the N.W., with a considerable head-swell, which 



