The Sun.
London, England, 1839-09-16 00:00:00

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

(From the Literary Gazelle.)
By the time this paper meets the public eye, this very
interesting expedition will have left, or be leaving, the
British shores. Had it been possible to complete the
extensive philosophical and other equipments in a
shorter space of time, it would have been better, per-
haps, had it been able to sail six weeks or two months
earlier ; but still its course is open, and the delay will
lead to no other consequence than some slight alteration
in the projected plan of operations.
On Tuesday, the Terror, Captain Crozier, dropped
down from off the Dock-yard, at Chatham, to
tilling-
ham, with all her white canvass spread, and looking
like a bird of passage preparing to wing its way to an-
other clime ; and on Thursday, or as soon after as pos-
sible, her companion, the Erebus, Captain James Clerk
Ross, was appointed to fellow, and then proceed on
their voyage together. Having gone to take our
farewell, a short description of the vessels, &c., cannot
be unacceptable to our readers.
The Erebus and Terror seem to be twin ships, alike
in build, in colours, in masts and rigging, and, indeed,
in every external appearance. An inexperienced eye
could not tell the one from the other. The Erebus is
about 370 tons ; the Terror 340. In each the full
complement of officers and men is 64-128 in all (a).
Nothing that the art of the shipwright could accom-
plish has been omitted to fit them for their perilous un-
dertaking. Below, not only have the ribs 'neon strength-
ened by transverse timbers, but these again have been
interlaced by cross beams at certain angles, so as to
offer resistance to any invading body, such as ice, which
would require a mighty force to overcome. Thus, inter-
nally powerful, beyond any former example, the outward
hull has also been so shaped (curving from near the cen-
tre, something like the turning-off edge of a glass or
tea-cup) as to throw the converging ice from the chain
plates, and thus protect the rigging from being crushed
or invaded. The deck, too, is double ; and the whole
has a compactness and firmness which gives assurance
of security from the worst elements to which their gal-
lant crews can ever be exposed. A spare rudder, which
could be shipped immediately in case of accident to the
other, is safely stowed amidships ; each vessel is pro-
vided with eight boats, two of them whalers, and framed
to encounter rough seas and weather in separate ex-
peditions, to explore paseages and lands where the
ships cannot penetrate. Six guns are borne in
each ; viz., four six-pounders, and two salute-guns.
The apparatus for keeping the vessels at an equable
temperature is admirable, and consists of a square
iron tube, above a foot in diameter, running all
round the sides, and distributing a comfortable
warmth to every berth in the ship. The ventila-
tion is not less attended to. There are also stoves
in the captains' cabins, and the gunroom messes (6)
which adjoin ; and the cooking conveniences arc as
ample and as fit for every purpose as they could be on
shore. There is a large kettle to dissolve ice into fresh
water ; another for dressing salt meat, another for fish,
another for fresh meat, and ovens for baking. The
mates cabins are well constructed, and those for the
officers to sleep in, though small, are arranged with all
a seaman's skill and dexterity in making muc of a little.
The sick-berths arc forward, and so contrived that the
invalids may be kept apart from the healthy, for their
own sake as well as for the general safety. Immense
ice-saws are ranged along the lower-deck, some of them
thirty or more feet long, and looking like the jaws of
sharks, competent to cut through any besetting ad-
versary.

They are victualled with fresh provisions for three
years; and perninacan and prepared meats in cases are
stowed away in the least possible compass.
The provision of scientific instruments, under the
superintendence of the Royal Society, is very complete ;
and double sets, to supply the loss of any which may
be broken, or rendered useless, seem almost to furnish
the commander's cabin. In this respect, the Admiralty
has been most liberal ; and, indeed, we may say, -that
after the first official difficulties were got over, the Go-
vernment has taken up the expedition with the most
commendable spirit, and done everything that can
contribute to its successful issue. The phenomena
of terrestrial magnetism will be independently ob-
served throughout the voyage ; and also in con-
nexion with the new observatories about to be
established, as already stated in the Literary Gazette,
at St. Helena, the Cape, Van Diemen's Land, &c. The
declination, inclination, and intensity of the magnet, will
thus form tables of the utmost importance towards
solving this great problem. The declination instrument,
the horizontal and the vertical force magnetometers, are
constructed under the direction of Professor Lloyd, of
Dublin ; and there are, besides, dip circles, transits with
azimuth circles, and chronometers of the most approved
construction. There are also pendulums for ascertaining
the true figure of the earth ; thermometers for determining
the temperature of the sea at given 'depths ; other black-
ened' thermometers to measure the atmospheric tempera-
ture at different latitudes ; photometric sensitive paper
Sur experiments on light ; barometers to be observed
during storms, white squalls, &c.; glasses for sideral
observations (particularly on the variable stars ac
Hydras and 7; Argus) ; drawing utensils ; reposito
ries for geological, botanical, and natural history
specimens ; actinometers for finding the forces of
solar and terrestrial radiation ; hygrometer, Osler's
anemometers, rain gauges, electrometers, skeleton regis-
ters of every needful kind ; and, in short, such means to
employ, and so much to be done, that there will be no
great leisure for our enterprising countrymen when all
these instruments are put in requisition, and their results
are regularly chronicled for the information of the world.
In looking over the vessels about to depart on so
deeply interesting an occasion, many slight matters
and incidents touch the feelings. In almost every
cabin and berth were tolerable collections of books ; and
Captain Ross's amounted to a fair library of the most
useful description. In some were sweet remembrances
of native land, in prints and pictures ; and one en-
graving conspicuous in the gallant Commander's cabin
affected us much—it was of our Saviour Walking on
the Waters ! Faith and Hope could not have chosen
a more beautiful illustration of the Sailor's mind—the
instruments of the soul, without the possession of which
what were all that the philosophy and science of-man
could provide ? In that engraving alone we read a
more certain index of the success of this great work,
than in the multitude of ingenious machines, and
mv oal
bu
Imo
efsrieonfd wisesienrsrteruacetdioends., by which our most esti-
as
t er
6th of January, 1840. diameter
of kind heart had supplied a twelfth-cake, to be
opened on the The
of the globe will then be between the giver and the
receiver.
Another pleasant circumstCaptains Ross and Crozier.
subsisting between
as ncaFntdo rienctoimrdaitse the friend-
ship
together.
They have been messinate ,
Crozier was a Midshipman
a Lieutenant ; he was a Lieutenant where Ross was
m the ship where Ross was
Captain, and now he is Captain where Ross is Commo-
dore of the expedition. They have served together,
know and regard each other, and this is an auspicious

T) s (a) Ere u .—Captain J. C. Ross; Lieutenants, E. T.
Bird, J. F. L. Wood, J. Sibbald ; Master, H. Mapleton ;
Surgeon, R. M' Cormick ; Parser, T. R. Hallett ; As
sistant-Surgeon, J. D. Hooker.
Tarror.—Captain, F. R. M. Crozier; Lieutenants, A.
M'Murdo, J. H. Kay; Master, P. P. Cotter; Surgeon,
J. Bobertson ; Assistant- Surgeon, D. Lyall.
(b) In these four alms will be accommodated, the fifth
keeping the deck.

EVENING EDITION

promise for their mutual good understanding and cor-
dial co-operation to the end ; when bound together in
their brave barks—

" To reside
In thrilling regions of thick-ribbed ice,
To be imprisoned in the viewless winds,
And blown (we trust not) with restless violence round about
The pendent world."
The earlier proceedings of the voyage will lead them to
St. Helena, where Lieutenant Eardley Wilmot, of the
Royal Engineers, who goes out in the Erebus, will 'ha
left in charge of the new Observatory. Next, at the Cape
will be landed, for the like purpose, another officer.
The vessels then make their way across the ocean, touch-
ing at and examining Kerguelen's Land, Amsterdam, and
other islands, either known or imperfectly reported in
that vast expanse of waters. Arrived at Van Diemen's
Land, the instruments, &c., far the' observatory
will be sent ashore, and, whilst it is erecting, they will
cruise to various points where the scientific pursuits
of the expet.lition are most likely to be advanced.
On their return they will start de novo in a direct
southern course, between 120 degrees and 160 dP-
grees east longitude towards the Antarctic Pole ; and
it is a singular and fortunate thing that in this direc-
tion, during the present season, a ship of Mr. Enderby'a
has discovered land on both sides of the longitudes we
have indicated, in about 65 and 68 degrees of south
latitude (c). These shores have been named Sabrina
Land, seen March, 1839, and Balleny Isle, seen
February, 1839 ; and between them, as well as
upon them, the efforts of the Erebus and Terror will,
in the first instance, be employed. How far they may
They will
penetrate is in the hands of Providence.
afterwards circumnavigate the Pole, and try in every
quarter to reach the highest point, whether near
Enderby's Land, discovered in 1832, or by Capiam
Weddell's furthest reach, about 73 degrees, in 1823.
It is between Sabrina Land and Bdlleny Isle, to the
northward, in about latitude 50 degrees, and east lon-
gitude 140 degrees, that it is expected the south
magnetic pole will be found. Strange if he who
discovered either that of the North or so near an
approach to it as Captain James Ross did, should
also ascertain this long-sought phenomenon. We bad
forgotten to mention that the vessels are constructed
on the plan which divides them into three compart-
ments ; so that either extremity or the middle might
be stove in, and yet the remainder be a safe hold for
the crew (d).
Wherever the voyagers go, we have only to add, may
God bless and prosper them, and return them in safety
to a grateful country and their anxious relati%es and
friends!

(c) Of these recent discoveries in the southern hc►ni-
sphere, Mr. Bates, of the Poultry, has just published an ex.
cellcnt chart, udder the superintendence of Captain Beau-
fort. They appear like the pillars of a gateway, between
which the expedition should pass.--Ed. L. G.
(d) The Kentish Gazette states that "the wales are
doubled with eight-inch oak plank, and the bottom with
plank of three inches; the holds, the ceilings of which are
doubled with two thicknesses of II inch African teak,
crossing each other at right angles ; the bulkheads in the
holds are built in like manner, and made water tight; so
that, should the bottom be stove in at any part by the sheets
of ice, the safety of the ships will not be endangered. The
pumps fitted are those of Massie's patent. The weather-
deck is also doubled with three-inch fir plank, with fear-
nought dipped in tallow, laid between them.

FOREIGN MONEY MARKET AND

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

PARE, SEPT. 12.—The favourable news from Spain has
given a considerable impulse to Spanish Actives, which
maintain their last quotation. The rise in the Spanish
Securities has restored confidence, and :made money easier
on the Paris market. The receipts at the Paris Savings'
'Bank on Sunday last exceeded the payments by the sum
of 4,000 f. The reduction of Colonial Sugars has improved
the shipping trade and produced an increase in commc:eial
operations.
. _ _

Money is plentiful at the Treasury and at the Bank of
France. The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund have
just given orders for purchases to a large amount of Three
per Cents. for cash.

General trade is still suffering from the late stagnation.
Unless something is done for the beet-root sugar manufac-
turers, total ruin must be the fate of that important branch
of industry ; the persons engaged in this business entertain
a hope that Government will at least grant them an
indemnity.
Corot MAREET.—Corn and flour arc in request at ad-
vanced prices. Our principal agriculturists still count
upon the exportation of large quantities for England.
Railroad Shares have fallen into disrepute, and scarcely
anything was done during the last week in these specu.
lations.

ANOTHER DARING HIGHWAY ROBBERY
NEAR HEELT.—On Saturday night last, between the hours
of nine and ten o'clock, Mr. Senior, manager of the Bo-
rough Bank, in this town, was brutally attacked and robbed
by two ruffians, or, his road home to Norton. Mr. Senior
was walking on the middle of the turnpike road, a little
below Derllshire•lane, when his hat was knocked off by a
stroke from behind, which was immediately succeeded by
several severe blows on the back and crown of the head.
The villains, however, did not succeed in knocking him
down; but they took from his pockets a few shillings in
silver, two small keys, and a penknife, an umbrella being
left on the ground. A few minutes after the attack, Mr.
Senior met with Bell, the Heeley bar-keeper, and another
person, to whom he stated the circumstances, and Bell
immediately set off in pursuit of the men, but he
ueortunately lost all trace of them after he bad
passed little London gates. It is supposed that they
there took the fields, and so eluded detection. But
two men, strongly suspected to be the above, were
seen at this spot ahout half an hour both before and
after the robbery. The weapon the villains used is
called a " life preserver," and it is thought that they
are the same men who attacked Mr. Frederick Piper, a
fortnight ago. This is the third highway robbery, at-
tended with considerable violence, that has occurred in
the neighbourhood of Hecly within the last six weeks, and
since it is stated that more robberies have taken place in
the above direction than in all the other principal outlets
of the sown put together, surely some means ought to be
immediately adopted to protect the public from thus being
abused and robbed by a gang of lawless and cowardly
scoundrels, who infest that road with the most perfect
impunity. Icdeed, the present ill protected state of the
southern suburbs of the town, and the consequent facility
of escape: offers every encouragement to rogues frequent-
ing that district. We hope the wealthy classes will at
least lose no time in endeavouring to put an end to so
being
a ineg willingly nuisance,an and weifici have
entlysunpopt
otrbteedleabs doubt of
by our
ourre spetchteeidr
magistrates, and particularly by those who reside in
the more immediate neighbourhood in question. In most
large towns, there is a night patrol on the principal roads
for several miles. Why such an arrangement does not
exist here, is not because it is less necessary.—Sheffield
Indppendent. _

The Magistrates of Spalding have given direc-
tions to the police to take into custody all women of loose
character who may be found perambulating the streets
after 10 o'ctick at night.--Stanford Mercury.

NEWQUAY.--The preventive boat established
at this place, had a hot encounter with a smuggler
a short time since ; but owing to the freshness
of the breeze, the smuggler got off.—Our beau-
tiful beach at this place has, for the last few days,
literally been crowded with men, women, and
children, from all quarters, all busily employed in digging
sprats, which were not remembered to have been so plen-
tiful for many years past. We hope this to be a good
omen for the pilchard fishery, which at present on the
north coast looks very gloomy.— West Briton.
FORCE OF CONSCIENCE.—On Saturday, week,
Mr. S. Bennett, of the firm of Bennett acid Co., Batk,
received a letter bearing the Liverpool post mark, enclosing
a Bank post bill for 501., accompanied by the following—
" I beg to inclose you 50/., which I acknowledge to have
robbed you of; it is your own personal property. I leave
England in the morning, and shall, I hope, be many hun-
dred miles off before many days. Mr. Beames has nothing
to do with this."—[Mr. Beames was formerly in partner-
ship with Mr. Bennett, and it is clear that the writer was
an assistant of Mr. Bennett's before his partnership with
Mr. Beamer.]
A most serious accident happened at Stroxton,
near Grantham, on Saturday morning, to William Wing,
son of Mr. Clayton, who was with a number of harvest-
men preparing scythes to mow wheat, when in stepping
over one of them which lay upon the ground, his foot unfor-
tunately became entangled in what is called the rake, which
caused the blade of the scythe to spring up with great
some
thearrival
of
surgeonsd
from Grantham, under whose judicious treatment hopes arc
now entertained of his recovery.—Stamford Mercury.
MAKING IT NOON.—Reporting noon, is an amus-
ing routine at sea, and exemplifies the great authority of the
captain, for he actually assumes the power which Joshua
possessed, of making time stand still. It is usual for the
ihlti,mtot
hsaluteitsh captain,,tlr.,
elve o'clock." If
oflfthaell
twatchhiogs,
he replies, " Make it so, and
master, when he has ascertained that the sun's ascension is
b''ianruteft°i trisfmi galinetyglgthing remains to be done which
minutes' labour, lie hesitates not to suspend pipe
th et.oevdeinntrinenr
l
such is accomplished : and when ready,
andrequires uni roet s
he declares his pleasure that it shall be noon. before,
he
BAPTIST MISSIONS.—On Thursday evening
week, a meeting was held at Seamer, near Scarborough,
in furtherance of the for • eign operations of this soociety ;
the assembly took place in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel
at half-past six. The speakers were Mr. Ainsworth, of
Scarborough, Rev. B. Evans, ditto, and the Rev. E.
Hull, of Watford. The company was thin, in conse-
quence of the rainy weather, but the meeting was interest-
ing, and the collection good in proportion.—Hull Ad-
vertiser.

---- -
THE HARVEST.--The harvest operations here
abouts have been greatly impeded by the continued suc-
cession of showers, with very brief intervals, by night or
day, during the last fortnight. The wheat is mostly se-
cure in this immediate neighbourhood, but not on the ele-
vated lands about Mendip. There is a good deal of barley
down, which must wait the return of dry settled weather
before it can be carried. —Bath Herald.
The harvest in this county has been progressing,
but intervening showers prevent the farmer from " housingi
his crops so quickly as desirable. Notwithstanding the
weather, a large quantity of grain has been secured in a
better state than was antic►pated, and during fine weather
the corn-fields present a scene of activity. Accounts from
different parts of the country represent the crops as being
fully average ones.—Nottingham Review.

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