progress on hard
and level fields, we also applied to each boat two wheels, of five feet
diameter, and a small one abaft, having a swivel for steering by, like
that of a Bath chair; but these, owing to the irregularities of the ice,
did not prove of any service, and were subsequently relinquished. A
"span" of hide-rope was attached to the forepart of the runners, and to
this were affixed two strong ropes of horse-hair, for dragging the boat:
each individual being furnished with a broad leathern shoulder-belt,
which could readily be fastened to or detached from the drag-ropes. The
interior arrangement consisted only of two thwarts; a locker at each
end for the nautical and other instruments, and for the smaller stores;
and a very slight framework along the sides for containing the bags of
biscuit and our spare clothes. A bamboo mast nineteen feet long, a
tanned duck sail, answering also the purpose of an awning, a spreat, one
boat-hook, fourteen paddles, and a steer-oar, completed each boat's
equipment.

Two officers and twelve men (ten of the latter being seamen, and two
marines) were selected for each boat's crew. It was proposed to take
with us resources for ninety days; to set out from Spitzbergen, if
possible, about the beginning of June; and to occupy the months of June,
July, and August in attempting to reach the Pole and returning to the
ship; making an average journey of thirteen miles and a half per day.
Our provisions consisted of biscuit of the best wheaten flour; beef
_pemmican_;[014] sweetened cocoa-powder, and a small proportion of rum,
the latter concentrated to fifty-five per cent. above proof, in order to
save weight and stowage. The proper instruments were provided, both by
the Admiralty and the Board of Longitude, for making such observations
as might be interesting in the higher latitudes, and as the nature of
the enterprise would permit. Six pocket chronometers, the property of
the public, were furnished for this service; and Messrs. Parkinson and
Frodsham, with their usual liberality, intrusted to our care several
other excellent watches, on trial, at their own expense.

Annexed is a list of the different articles composing the equipment of
the boats, together with the actual weight of each.

Enter- Endeav-
prise our