The ship was masted according to the proportion of the navy; but on my application the masts were shortened, as I thought them too much for her, considering the nature of the voyage.

September 3.

On the 3rd of September the ship came out of dock; but the carpenters and joiners remained on board much longer, as they had a great deal of work to finish.

The next material alteration made in the fitting out was lessening the quantity of iron and other ballast.  I gave directions that only nineteen tons of iron should be taken on board instead of the customary proportion which was forty-five tons.  The stores and provisions I judged would be fully sufficient to answer the purpose of the remainder; for I am of opinion that many of the misfortunes which attend ships in heavy storms of wind are occasioned by too much dead weight in their bottoms.

The establishment of men and officers for the ship were as follows: 

1 Lieutenant to command. 1 Master. 1 Boatswain. 1 Gunner. 1 Carpenter. 1 Surgeon. 2 Master’s Mates. 2 Midshipmen. 2 Quartermasters. 1 Quartermaster’s Mate. 1 Boatswain’s Mate. 1 Gunner’s Mate. 1 Carpenter’s Mate. 1 Carpenter’s Crew. 1 Sailmaker. 1 Armourer. 1 Corporal. 1 Clerk and Steward. 23 Able Seamen. —–­ 44.

Two skilful and careful men were appointed, at Sir Joseph Banks’s recommendation, to have the management of the plants intended to be brought home:  the one, David Nelson, who had been on similar employment in Captain Cook’s last voyage; the other, William Brown, as an assistant to him.  With these two our whole number amounted to forty-six.

It was proposed that our route to the Society Islands should be round Cape Horn; and the greatest dispatch became necessary as the season was already far advanced:  but the shipwrights not being able to complete their work by the time the ship was ready in other respects, our sailing was unavoidably retarded.

October.  Thursday 4.

However by the 4th of October the pilot came on board to take us down the river.

Tuesday 9.

On the 9th we fell down to Long Reach where we received our gunner’s stores and guns, four four-pounders and ten swivels.

The ship was stored and victualled for eighteen months.  In addition to the customary allowance of provisions we were supplied with sourkraut, portable soup, essence of malt, dried malt, and a proportion of barley and wheat in lieu of oatmeal.  I was likewise furnished with a quantity of ironwork and trinkets to serve in our intercourse with the natives in the South Seas:  and from the board of Longitude I received a timekeeper, made by Mr. Kendal.

Monday 15.

On the 15th I received orders to proceed to Spithead.

November.  Sunday 4.

But the winds and weather were so unfavourable that we did not arrive there till the 4th of November.  On the 24th I received from Lord Hood, who commanded at Spithead, my final orders.  The wind, which for several days before had been favourable, was now turned directly against us.