Leopold McClintock to James Clark Ross (8/Mar/1850)

Note by Arctonauts: the year is taken from comparing Friday, March 8th with the possible years this letter could have been written in.


H.M.S. Assistance
Woolwich Friday 8th
March

My dear Sir

I have now been a week here in my new appointment of senior Lieutt of “Assistance”.

As Capt Austin assures me it is a more important one than the Command of one of the tenders, which I was so anxious to obtain and that they are not intended for detached service, I feel grateful for him for the nomination.

Both ships are about 420 Tons, but Assistance will stow most, & draw the most water. The chief alteration is in our boats; instead of a Launch we are to have a life boat; and instead of one of the Cutters, & two of the whaleboats, & the gig, we are to have four boats, 25ft in length, with a whaleboats’ bow, & gig stern; they will be light fast pulling 6 oared boats. In our Rigging we copy the last expedition. The Ice stage [round] the ship is almost wholly dispensed with but in other respects the work going on under Mr. Rice is the same as that for Enterprize.

I wish we were further advanced with the work. About 25 men have been entered, they are a better looking set than those we had. Lt Browne is in Resolute Mr Allard in the Pioneer, and Mr Shellabear in Resistance, but is intended for the other tender, which has not yet arrived. I hear that Mr Gransell intends entering the Church. Captain Austin has desired me to superintend the preparations for travelling parties, therefore I am paying a great attention to this important part of our equipment. Hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you before we sail, I remain, my dear Sir
very sincerely yours
F. L. M:Clintock.