Page:The open Polar Sea- a narrative of a voyage of discovery towards the North pole, in the schooner "United States" (IA openpolarseanarr1867haye).pdf/44

 explorations. He even proposed to me that he should abandon the work upon which he was then employed, in order to aid me in the preliminary preparations. Returning to the United States in 1859, he was appointed to the Dudley Observatory, Albany, and, to accompany me, he sacrificed the fine position of Associate Director of that institution.

My party, when at length completed, numbered fourteen persons all told, as follows:—

,      Astronomer, and second in command. S. J.,     Sailing Master. ,      Mate. ,  Assistant Astronomer. ,     Commander's Secretary. ,     Master's Mate. ,    Boatswain and Carpenter. ,   Volunteer. ,      Volunteer. ,       Seaman. ,       Seaman. ,   Seaman. ,      Seaman. ,       Seaman.

Our equipment for scientific observations was reasonably perfect. The Smithsonian Institution furnished a good supply of barometers and thermometers, besides other apparatus not less important, and also spirits, cans, and other materials for the collection and preservation of specimens of Natural History. In this latter department I owe especial obligations to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and also to the Cambridge Museum. From the skilful maker, Mr. John Tagliabeau, of New York, I had a handsome present of spirit thermometers. From the Topographical Bureau at Washington, through the