H. M. S. Erebus Chatham.
September 1839
My dear Mother
On Papa's leaving Chatham for the last time I promised that I would write a letter to meet his return in Glasgow, which I expect this letter will do. I have very little news since writing last the most important is that, at last, the Terror*1 has dropped down to Gillingham, a village on the Medway about 4 miles below Chatham, where she will swing at ease so that a plate of Iron, to counter act the action of the mass of Iron in the ship may be adjusted, the Terror will remain there untill[sic] we join her which will be on Monday night, when after remaining 24 hours, we shall drop down to the Nore*2 together, then our double advance pay will be granted & then we shall sail clear out of the Channel without stopping any where until we reach Madeira. Her decks were very much lumbered & she was very deep in the water not looking beautiful at all. We have been very busy still fitting our berths & cabins with carpets, oil cloths &c. The Penny Cylopaedias*3 came

quite safe. I am very much obliged to you for the trouble you had in getting them sent off, and particularly to Maria*4. The odd number I shall get I hope in London. The Books in the Berth look very grand, the most of them are mine, & are on Natural History Subjects:-- Captain Ross*5 came down to day again for good & all except for two days when he will go to town. Almost all the instruments are on board including 16 Chronometers of great value, & many magnetical instruments the use of which hardly any onboard except Capt. Ross knows the use of. I On Monday night I joined Mr Bird*6 in a visit at a tea party at Mr Rices the master builder of the Dockyard, to whom Dr Richardson*7 had sent me an Introd.[introduction], it was a pleasant party & I am invited there again tomorrow. Today I mess at Fort Pitt*8. Mr Curtins[?], whose card Papa has[?] left for me at the Sun Inn*9, called again on me & invited me to dine with him, I knew nothing off[sic] him but from having met him at dinner once or twice. We all attended a very pleasant ball in the Dockyard the other night given by the father of one of the mates of the Terror a Mr Moore. With best love to all | Believe me your most affectionate Son | JDHooker[signature]. I shall write a few lines before leaving I subjoin[?] a list of the officers for Papa.

Officers on board H. M. S. Erebus James Clarke Ross, Captain. Lieutenants 1st George Bird. Served with Capt. Parry*10 in boating Exped[ition]. 2nd Sibbald from the "Edinburgh" 3rd J F Wood. Revenue Service Yarmouth Surgeon. R. McCormick. Capt Parrys' boating exped[ition] Purser Hallett, with Capt Ross in the "Cove" & with Sir W[alter] Scott*11 on the Mediterranean in H.M.S.[Barham] On Southeast Cape[?]. Master -- -- not yet appointed. Mates. 1st Smith (with Capt Ross "Cove") wrecked in Thotes[?word illeg. with sealing wax] 2nd [Oakleigh?], from "Edinburgh". 3rd Jos. Dayman. "Excellent", "Zebra", " Alligator". Asst surgeon JDH 2nd Master. H. B. Yule. On Board H. M. S. Terror. LF L Crozier Commander. (Parry &Ross) Lieutenants 1st -- Mc Murdo from the "Terror" with Capt[ain] Back*12. 2nd -- Kay with Capt[ain] Forster in [Firegie?] 3rd Phillips not yet joined

Surgeon -- Robertson. The only married officer Clerk acting as Purser. -- Moubray Acting Master P. Cotter. Mates 1st -- Scott. 2nd -- Maloy[Molloy?] from the "Edinburgh" 3rd -- Moore. who introduced my father to the Dockyard Asst Surgeon D. Lyall. 2nd Master J. Davies