forward and aft, and possessing the utmost buoyancy, as well as capacity for stowage. Their length was 20 feet, and extreme breadth 7 feet. The timbers were made of tough ash and hickory, one inch by half an inch square, and a foot apart, with a “half-timber” of smaller size between each two. On the outside of the frame thus formed was laid a covering of Mackintosh’s water-proof canvas, the outer part being coated with tar. Over this was placed a plank of fir, only 3-16ths of an inch thick; then a sheet of stout felt; and over all, an oak plank, of the same thickness as the fir; the whole of these being firmly and closely secured to the timbers by iron screws applied from without. This method of planking the boats was proposed and executed by Mr. Oliver Lang, master shipwright of Woolwich dock-yard; and Captain Parry’s narrative will show how admirably the elasticity of this mode of construction was adapted to withstand the constant twisting and concussion to which the boats were subject. On each side of the keel, and projecting considerably below it, was attached a strong “runner” shod with smooth steel, in the manner of a sledge, upon which the boat entirely rested while on the ice; and to afford some additional chance of making progress on hard and level fields, two wheels, of five feet diameter, were applied to each boat, and a small one abaft, having a swivel for steering by, like that of a Bath chair. A “span” of hide-rope was attached to the fore part of the runners, and to this were affixed two strong ropes of horse-hair, for dragging the boat; each individual of the crew being furnished with a broad leathern shoulder-belt, which could readily be fastened to or detached from the drag-ropes. The interior arrangement consisted only of two thwarts; a locker at each end for the nautical and other instruments, and for the smaller stores; and a very slight frame-work along the sides for containing bags of biscuit and spare clothes. A bamboo mast 19 feet long, a tanned duck sail, answering also the purpose of an awning, a spreat, one boat-hook, fourteen paddles, and a steer-oar, completed each boat’s equipment.
The Hecla left Deptford, Mar. 25, 1827; sailed from the
