OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 
105 
krout and pickles, with as much vinegar as could be used, was issued at 
regular intervals. The daily proportion of lime-juice and sugar was mixed 
together, and, with a proper quantity of water, was drank by each man in 
presence of an officer appointed to attend to this duty. This latter pre- 
caution may appear to have been unnecessary, to those who are not aware 
how much sailors resemble children in all those points in which their own 
health and comfort are concerned. Whenever any game was procured, it 
was directed to be invariably served in lieu of, and not in addition to, 
the established allowance of other meat, except in a few extraordinary 
cases, when such an indulgence was allowed ; and in no one instance, 
either in quantity or quality, was the slightest preference given to the 
officers. 
In the article of fuel, which is of such vital importance in so severe a 
climate, a system of the most rigid economy was adopted ; such a quantity of 
coal only being expended as was barely sufficient for the preservation of 
health on board the ships. A search was made for turf or moss immediately 
after , our arrival, and a small quantity of the latter was made use of as 
fuel ; but, without a previous drying, which, from the advanced period of the 
season, we had no means of giving it, it was found to be too wet to produce 
any saving of coals. We also looked out most anxiously for a vein of 
coal on shore, but only a few lumps were picked up during our stay in 
Winter Harbour^ 
Great attention was paid to the clothing of the men, who were put into a 
certain number of divisions, according to the usual custom of the navy, each 
division being under the command of an officer, who was responsible for the 
personal cleanliness of the men intrusted to his charge, as well as for their 
keeping their clothes at all times mended and in good condition. The men 
were regularly mustered for inspection morning and evening, at which times 
I always visited every part of the between-decks, accompanied by Lieut. 
Beechey and Mr. Edwards ; and one day in the week was appointed for 
the examination of the men’s shins and gums by the medical gentlemen, 
in order that any slight appearance of the scurvy might at once be detected, 
and checked by timely and adequate means. 
It was my intention to have caused the bedding of the ships’ companies to 
be brought on deck, for the purpose of airing, at least once a week during the 
winter; but here, also, a difficulty occurred, which, without previous ex- 
perience, could not perhaps have been easily anticipated. Whenever a 
p 
