CHAPTER L 
FIRST ANTARCTIC VOYAGE OF SIR JAMES ROSS 
The great Antarctic expedition commanded by Sir 
James Ross had magnetic research and not geography 
for its immediate object. It originated with Colonel 
Sabine, who read a paper on terrestrial magnetism at 
the meeting of the British Association at Newcastle in 
August, 1838, which led to a deputation being nominated 
to approach the Government. The deficiency in our 
knowledge of terrestrial magnetism in the southern 
hemisphere, it was considered, should be supplied by 
observations of magnetic direction and intensity in high 
southern latitudes between the meridians of New Holland 1 
and Cape Horn, and Her Majesty's Government was 
urged to appoint a naval expedition expressly directed 
to that object. 
Lord Melbourne acceded to the request, and Sir James 
Ross received his commission to command the expedition 
on the 8th April, 1839. The Erebus, a bomb vessel of 
370 tons, strongly built and with a capacious hold, was 
selected for Sir James Ross, and the Terror, of 340 tons, 
a similar vessel which had been thoroughly repaired after 
her disastrous voyage with Sir George Back, was chosen 
for Ross's second in command, Commander Crozier. The 
complement of each ship amounted to 64 persons. 
The officers were not only thoroughly efficient ; there 
were among them men who were distinguished in their 
profession and whose record is worthy of remembrance. 
Sir James Ross was by far the most experienced Arctic 
officer then living. He had passed through no less than 
nine Arctic winters and seventeen navigable seasons, 
was the most eminent magnetic observer next to Sabine, 
an admirable collector, and an unequalled navigator. 
Crozier was his old friend and messmate in the Arctic 
regions, and was also a practised magnetic observer. 
1 The name Australia had not then come into use. 
