ch. xxn] Btichan and Ross 
20 1 
expedition. The Isabella and Alexander were well 
strengthened, and destined for more important Arctic 
work. Owing to the suppression of Baffin's log book 
and map by Purchas, the existence of Baffin's Bay had 
come to be considered doubtful. On the map in Daines 
Barrington's book, as already stated, there is printed over 
the site of Baffin's Bay " according to the relation of 
W. Baffin in 1616, but not now believed/' It was ac- 
cordingly resolved by the Admiralty that the expedition 
should proceed up Davis Strait, verify the discovery of 
Baffin, and seek a passage. 
Lord Melville was the First Lord of the Admiralty, 
and his colleagues, Sir J. S. Yorke, Sir George Hope, and 
Sir Graham Moore, were enlightened and accomplished 
naval officers. For the command of the expedition Sir 
George Hope recommended his old shipmate, John Ross, 
as zealous and energetic and a thorough seaman. This 
officer, born in 1777, was the fourth son of the Rev. 
Andrew Ross of Ballaroch in Wigtonshire, by Elizabeth, 
daughter of Robert Corsane, Provost of Dumfries. 
Entering the navy at a very early age, he served for 
four years, and was then in the merchant service for 
some years. Returning to the navy he served under 
Sir James Saumarez in the Baltic and the White Sea, 
where he fixed the longitude of Archangel by occultation 
of Jupiter's satellite. In 1812 he became a commander. 
He was in three actions, and was wounded in every one. 
After his promotion he had command of the Briseis. 
The selection of Ross was very carefully made, and 
his second in command was Lieutenant Edward Parry, 
on board the Alexander. The two first Lieutenants were 
Robertson in the Isabella and Hoppner, a son of the 
artist, in the Alexander. The younger aspirants for 
Arctic fame, all to be heard of again, were A. M. Skene, 
J. Bushnan, Joseph Nias, and the Commander's nephew 
James C. Ross. Drs Edwards, Beverley, and Fisher were 
the surgeons. Captain Sabine, R.E., joined the Isabella 
for magnetic observations. An Eskimo interpreter was 
also secured in the person of John Sacheuse, who had 
found his way from Greenland to Leith. He was recom- 
mended as a useful member of the expedition by Captain 
Basil Hall, R.N. 
