Page:Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London, Volume 1 (2nd edition).djvu/221





Majesty's ship Blossom was sent out by his Majesty's government, with a special commission to prosecute researches on the practicability of a north-west passage, and being destined for a long voyage, through seas of different characters, and in very opposite climates, was consequently more fitted up with a view of administering to the necessities and comforts of the officers and men, and providing for the safety of the vessel, than prepared for the slow and lengthened labours of science, or the nicety of observation and experiment.

The instructions, however, given to Captain Beechey by the Board of Admiralty, in addition to the co-operation to be given to the polar expedition, directed him to make geographical observations, of much interest, on the doubtful existence of some islands in the South Pacific, to survey the group of the Society Islands, to direct his course to the Navigators' Islands, and to afford every assistance to the naturalist of the expedition in making collections illustrative of his branch of research.

The additions made to our knowledge of the South Pacific and other seas, with their coasts and islands, by this expedition, will be best given in the shape of a succinct narrative, or an analysis of Captain Beechey's published work; and we shall afterwards give a general idea of the results of the observations and experiments made during the voyage, which, from their variety, number, and exactness, reflect the greatest credit on the science, industry, and perseverance of Captain Beechey, and the officers under his command.

On the 19th of May, 1825, the vessel weighed from Spithead, steering out of the Channel with a fair wind. On the 30th of the