JAMES CLARK ROSS 253 
All repairs had already been effected, and in a very short 
time both the Erebus and the Terror left the hands of 
the dockyard workmen as strong as ships could be made 
after the experience of generations of northern whalers 
and explorers. The decks were made of two thicknesses 
of the stoutest planking, separated by layers of water- 
proofed cloth, the bow and stern internally were filled up 
nearly solid with timbers, and externally all projections 
were removed and a thick outer skin of planking added, 
varying in thickness so as to present the greatest strength 
in those parts likely to come in contact with the floating 
ice. The hulls were double coppered, and copper was 
substituted for iron in the fastenings wherever it was 
possible to do so. 
The ships were provisioned on the usual naval system, 
but a remarkable feature for that time was the large 
supply of fresh tinned meats and soups and the enor- 
mous quantity of vegetables — there being nearly five tons 
of carrots alone, and over four tons of pickles. Warm 
clothing of the best quality procurable was supplied for 
gratuitous issue to the crews, who were all volunteers 
and in receipt of double pay from the time of sailing. 
The officers were selected by Ross from a large number 
who applied for permission to take part in what was 
from the first a popular expedition. Each ship car- 
ried in addition to the captain, three lieutenants, a mas- 
ter, surgeon, purser, three mates, assistant surgeon, 
and second master, together with a crew of 64 men. 
The surgeon of each ship was specially charged 
with observations in zoology and geology; they were 
Mr. Robert McCormick on the Erebus, who had already 
had much experience in the Arctic regions, and Mr. John 
Robertson, on the Terror. The assistant surgeons were 
