CHAPTER XXV 
JOHN ROSS, JAMES ROSS, AND THE NORTH MAGNETIC POLE 
After his return from the re-discovery of Baffin's Bay, 
Captain Ross must have continually regretted his mistake 
about Lancaster Sound. He was discredited, and longed 
to have another opportunity given him. When Parry 
returned from his northern journey in 1827, Captain Ross 
offered his services to the Admiralty to lead another expe- 
dition for the discovery of a North West Passage. His 
idea was to take up the plan of Parry's third voyage and 
seek for a passage at the south end of Prince Regent's Inlet. 
The Admiralty declined, but he was fortunate enough to 
find an old friend who was willing to supply the funds. 
This was Sheriff Felix Booth, who gave him £18,000 
towards the expenses of an expedition. Captain Ross 
bought an old packet that used to run from Liverpool to 
the Isle of Man. She was only 85 tons, but her stowage 
was increased by raising 5^ feet upon her, and she was 
fitted with an engine and paddle-wheels, but the engine 
was scamped and badly made, and proved useless. She 
was named the Victory. Captain Ross persuaded his 
nephew to go with him. James C. Ross, now 29 years of 
age, had been with his uncle in the Isabella and with 
Parry in all his voyages, and in his last northern journey. 
In all his Arctic service he had been a diligent observer, 
giving special attention to magnetism. He also studied 
natural history and was a careful collector: moreover 
his prowess had been shown in having killed and secured 
more than one payable whale. He was the life and soul 
of his uncle's expedition, and such success as it obtained 
was mainly due to him. 
Mr Thom, who had been with Captain Ross in the 
Isabella, was purser, and Dr M'Diarmid, surgeon. Blanky, 
the first mate, had been with Lyon in the Griper, and 
with Parry in the Hecla in 1827. The second mate, 
Thomas Abernethy, was a character who served in many 
