ef in a future state of existence, has already been introduced
in the course of the foregoing pages, in the order of those occurrences
which furnished us with opportunities of observing them.

NARRATIVE

OF

AN ATTEMPT TO REACH THE

NORTH POLE,

IN BOATS FITTED FOR THE PURPOSE, AND ATTACHED
TO HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP HECLA,

IN THE YEAR 1827.

NARRATIVE

INTRODUCTION.

In April, 1826, I proposed to the Right Honourable Viscount Melville,
first lord commissioner of the Admiralty, to attempt to reach the North
Pole by means of travelling with sledge-boats over the ice, or through
any spaces of open water that might occur. My proposal was soon
afterward referred to the president and council of the Royal Society,
who strongly recommended its adoption; and an expedition being
accordingly directed to be equipped for this purpose, I had the honour
of being appointed to the command of it; and my commission for his
majesty's ship the Hecla, which was intended to carry us to Spitzbergen,
was dated the 11th of November, 1826.

Two boats were constructed at Woolwich, under my superintendence, after
an excellent model suggested by Mr. Peake, and nearly resembling what
are called "troop-boats," having great flatness of floor, with the
extreme breadth carried well forward and aft, and possessing the utmost
buoyancy, as well as capacity for stowage. Their length was twenty feet,
and their extreme breadth seven feet. The timbers were made of tough ash
and hickory, one inch by half an inch square, and a foot apart, with a
"half-timber" of smaller size between each two. On the outside of the
frame thus formed was laid a covering of Macintosh's water-proof
canvass, the outer part being covered with tar. Over this was placed a
plank of fir, only three sixteenths of an inch thick; then a sheet of
stout felt; and, over all, an oak plank of the same thickness as the
fir; the whole of these being firmly and closely secured to the timbers
by iron screws applied from without. The following narrative will show
how admirably the elasticity of this mode of construction was adapted to
withstand the constant twisting and concussion to which the boats were
subject.[013] On each side of the keel, and projecting considerably
below it, was attached a strong "runner," shod with smooth steel, in the
manner of a sledge, upon which the boat entirely rested while upon the
ice; and, to afford some additional chance of making