H.M.S. CHALLENGER.

Evening Star, Issue 3549, 8 July 1874, Page 3

H.M.S. CHALLENGER.

The Challenger, now in Wellington harbor, was fitted up ip 1872 for a voyage of scientific discovery and deep-sea exploration in all parts of the world, with a view of furthering- the cause of natural science as much as possible, and obtaining information desired by setveints and the world of science generally, «and so difficult to obtain, as to the number, formation, and characteristics of the denizen* of the depths of thesea, and the different temperature at which they lived, as well as ascertaining the actual depth of water in various important regions of the sea by means of soundings, and the nature of the ocean bottom. In order to carry out all these objects, the Challenger was specially fitted for the expedition with all the latest improvements and inventions, a most elaborate supply of instruments, and scientific accessories of every kind, while her accommodation was specially conformed to the new purposes for which it wpuld be required. Captain 6. S. Nares, who is not altogether unknown in Australian waters, having been here so far back as 1852, in the Havanna, was placed in command. His scientific qualifications are of no mean order, and fit him well for the command of a ship on such a cruise as the Challenger’s. The scientific staff is large and complete, and its members have carried out their investigations in a careful and painstaking manner, which has produced valuable results, in the shape of new and interesting discoveries i n animal fife, and in invaluable contributions to marine and naval science. Professor Wyvill Thompson, who has the direction of the scientific part of the expedition, has a name and reputation which arO gedond tp none ju the branch of natural spieucp, apd a foretaste of the valuable and interesting additions to the science which we may expect at the epd of the voyage from his pen has been given in “ The Depths of the Sea” and “ Letters from the Challenger,” which have been despatched to Home publi-

cations as opportunity offered. Mr James Wild is secretary and artist to the expedition ; Mr Henry Moseley, Mr John Murray, and Dr K. von W. Suhm act as naturalists ; Mr John Young Buchanan is chemist and physicist. All these gentlemen have been specially se’ected Co/ their high attainments in the severr.l departme <ta confided to them, and so far as the expedition has progressed, each member of the scientific staff has done fully his own work in the peaceful cause in which they are engaged. The complement of the vessel’s crew, as she lies in harbor now, is not much above 200 men, who are officered as shown in the following list ; Captain ;G. S. Nares. Commander :J. F. L. P. M'Lear. Lieutenants : George R. Bethell, A. C. B. Bromley, Pelham Aldrich. Navigating Lieutenant : Thomas H. Lizard. Sub-lieutenants ; Lord George G. Campbell, Andrew G. Balfour, Arthur Chamier, H. C. E. Harston, Navigating Sub-lieutenants ; Arthur Hanagal, H, Siore. Paymaster : Richard R. A. Richard. Staff-Surgeon : Alexander Crosbie, Dhief Engineer : James H. Fergusson. • Surgeon : George McLear. Assistant-Paymaster : John Hynes. Engineers : W. G. Spry, A. J. Allen. AssistantEngineers : W. J. Abbot, W. H. Hewlett. Boatswain : Richard Cox. Carpenter :F. W. Westford.— ‘ N. Z. Times,’ 30th ult.