VI 
INTRODUCTION. 
of the dock-yard at Deptford, in complying with, and even anti- 
cipating, my wishes for the promotion of these objects. My thanks 
are also due, in an especial manner to my friend Captain Henry 
Garrett, agent victualler at that port, whose ready attention to all 
our wants in his public department, could only be equalled by the 
warm hospitality we experienced from him during the time of our 
equipment. 
While care was thus taken that nothing should be wanting to ensure 
the success of the Expedition in its main object, the improvement of 
geography and navigation, as well as the general interests of science, 
were considered as of scarcely less importance. For this purpose, a 
number of valuable instruments, (of which a list is subjoined), were 
furnished to each ship ; and Captain Sabine, of the Royal Artillery, who 
was recommended by the President and Council of the Royal Society, 
was embarked on board the Hecla, as Astronomer to the Expedition. 
Previously to our leaving Deptford, the ships were visited by 
Viscount Melville, who presided at the Admiralty, as well as by 
several of the Lords Commissioners, and by the Comptroller of the 
Navy, who were pleased to express their satisfaction at the manner in 
which their directions and intentions had been complied with in the 
general equipment of the Expedition. On the 2d of May, I repaired 
to the Admiralty, to receive their Lordships’ final Instructions for the 
conduct of the Expedition, a copy of which immediately precedes the 
Narrative. 
