The Great Frozen Sea

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Man of La

well describe the scenes that were being enacted during

so much interest is shown in the equipment of two small steam-vessels as was the case with r

ships were the "Alert" and the "Discove

y detect signs of great strength in these two business-like looking vessels. And very necessary was it that they should possess strength and p

ad already served two or three commissions on foreign stations before she was converted for Arctic service. The "Discovery" was built in Dundee for the wh

Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard (Sir Leopold McClintock), adapted in

inches aft, extending from the keel to the waterways, was put on; whilst a longitudinal beam, placed between the shelf-piece and the lower-deck waterway internally, bound and strapped the whole ship together. Extra iron knees were introduced in ord

for the promotion of warmth. New waterways, of a most substantial fo

some three tons weight, was easily shipped and unshipped when in danger of being damaged by

at from the fire underneath, is drawn off through a tap at the bottom, thus providing our water supply. Like all vessels employed in the whaling trade, both ships wer

ery necessary item on board all ships destined to navigate the icy seas. Both ships were barque-rigged, and w

ged but trim men-of-war, which, with their tapering spars

ble to follow and capture walruses and narwhals. They were both fitted with harpoon-guns fixed on swivels in the bows. The ice-boats were three in number for each ship, and were built as light as it was possible

le-heads," having the Union Jack painted on them, and underneath the word Ubique; and to no flag can that word be

e regulated according to the establishments by which preceding expeditio

jected who had the appearance of being fine and eligible young fellows. The slightest defect, such as bad teeth or old wounds, was a sufficient pretext for refusing the services of otherwise apparently

was their physical condition; and men of a happy and genial dispositio

estions invariably addressed to candidates for Arctic service by the board of of

they were many, showed only too plainly the mortification they experienced at being rejected. As an instance of the eagerness evinced by the men to be employed in the expedition, a gallant captain commanding a ship at Portsmouth called at the office where

mount of interest taken by the whole navy in th

vessel. Every little nook and corner was destined to be the receptacle of some important article. The ships gradually settled down in the water as the weights on board accumulated, until they appeared to be alarmingly deep, whilst much yet remained unstowed. The Admiralty had

the Atlantic in boisterous weather, laden as the two ships undoubtedly would have been i

members of the Royal Family testified, in a substantial manner, the deep interest they took in the enterprize. The name of her Imperial Majesty the Empress Eugénie must always be associated with the expeditio

ated, gifts were also received. A small case, with the superscription, "A Christmas box for my friends on board the 'Alert,'" and containing four bottles of excellent punch, and a little parcel of well-thumbed books and periodical

monotonous winter, were purchased; whilst a complete set of instruments f

for the purpose of discovering new lands, and planting Christian colonies upon those large and ample countries extending northward from Florida, we read that, "for the solace of our people, and allurement of the savages,

frail little barks, the "Sunneshine" and the "Mooneshine," that in the first-named vessel were twenty-th

ork; but it is feared that many others, owing to the stringent regulations that it was necessary to issue in order to have the vessels ready by the appointed time, were compelled to return to their homes without having the satisfaction o

our were very numerous; many were a

should like to spend our last few days in England in peace and quietness amongst our own friends, wished to feed us on the

ure of the ships, and punctual to the very minute they cast off from the dockyard jetty. The last embrace had been taken, the last fervent farewell had been wished, and, a good omen for the coming voyage, as the vessels steamed out of Portsmouth Harbour, all clouds cleared away, and the sun shone out bright and joyous. During the day crowds had been flocking from all parts of England in order to add their voices to those of other well-wishers to the enterprize. Seldom before in that famous seaport town, although the centre of many stirring events, had such a scene been witnessed. Thousands of spectators were congregated along the sea-face exte

eable demonstration, and felt that we, a small but chosen band, had

rity of our undertaking, the spectacle that afterno

ely, a determination to deserve this confidence, and to achieve, with God's help, such a

a shore thronged with an enthusiastic and cheering crowd waving a last farewell; whilst the last glimpse our friends had o

atical of the sorrow of parting; while when the sun burst forth bright and joyous in the afternoon, we all felt assured that the work on which

h we were on all sides greeted, lost his balance in the rigging and fell overboard. He was, however, quickly picked up and brought on board none the worse for his immersion, although the consternation excited by this mishap to a boatload of men and women, who happened to witness the accident, nea

latives of some few of the officers of the expedition, which following in their

admiral, the Commander-in-chief at Plymouth, when passing the port, was

rth, as far as they were concerned, we could only live in the happy me

tain our last supply of fresh meat, and our last budget of letters from home. A farewell ramble on shore amongst green fields and picturesque little farmhouses

ded until an opportunity offered of transmitting them to dear friends at home. It is related of one officer, who was so fortunate as to gather several sprigs of "forget-me-not," and whose home ties were, perhaps, not so attractive as th

all intelligence from home must come to an end. We could live only for the future, and pray for a happy and speedy return. Before nightfall the high and rugged coast of Ireland had s

ently made he

ows flashed fro

med by that ma

their world we