After his return from the re-discovery of Baffin’s Bay, Captain Ross must have continually regretted his mistake about Lancaster Sound. He was discredited, and longed to have another opportunity given him. When Parry returned from his northern journey in 1827, Captain Ross offered his services to the Admiralty to lead another expedition for the discovery of a North West Passage. His idea was to take up the plan of Parry’s third voyage and seek for a passage at the south end of Prince Regent’s Inlet. The Admiralty declined, but he was fortunate enough to find an old friend who was willing to supply the funds. This was Sheriff Felix Booth, who gave him £18,000 towards the expenses of an expedition. Captain Ross bought an old packet that used to run from Liverpool to the Isle of Man. She was only 85 tons, but her stowage was increased by raising 5½ feet upon her, and she was fitted with an engine and paddle-wheels, but the engine was scamped and badly made, and proved useless. She was named the _Victory_. Captain Ross persuaded his nephew to go with him. James C. Ross, now 29 years of age, had been with his uncle in the _Isabella_ and with Parry in all his voyages, and in his last northern journey. In all his Arctic service he had been a diligent observer, giving special attention to magnetism. He also studied natural history and was a careful collector: moreover his prowess had been shown in having killed and secured more than one payable whale. He was the life and soul of his uncle’s expedition, and such success as it obtained was mainly due to him. Mr Thom, who had been with Captain Ross in the _Isabella_, was purser, and Dr M’Diarmid, surgeon. Blanky, the first mate, had been with Lyon in the _Griper_, and with Parry in the _Hecla_ in 1827. The second mate, Thomas Abernethy, was a character who served in many expeditions, whom I knew well in after years. He was born at Peterhead in 1802 and went to sea at the early age of ten, serving in several voyages to Davis Strait. He had been ten years at sea when he was wrecked in the _Fury_ in 1825. He was with Parry in 1827, and was afterwards gunner of the _Blossom_. Abernethy was a very handsome man with a well-knit frame, and was resourceful and thoroughly reliable. The crew consisted of nine good men, and seven weak or useless hands.