to assist in its fitting out for an exploration of the South Pacific. During the Nootka Crisis, however, it was used as a depot vessel. When the crisis ended with the Treaty of Nootka Sound, the mission changed; the first priority was to physically accept possession of the Sound from the Spanish. An accurate survey the North American Pacific Coast, and other surveys, were important secondary missions. Because the Admiralty, following the Mutiny on the "Bounty" incident, had ordered, as a precaution against mutiny, that ships no longer make such long voyages alone, the armed tender HMS "Chatham" was assigned to the expedition, and HMS "Daedalus" was to bring supplies a year later.