surveys and observations, for which his scientific attainments well
qualified him.

Richard Lander was appointed to the command of the expedition,
leaving his brother John as his _locum tenens_ in the Customhouse of
Liverpool until his return.

The expedition, considering the object which it had in view was of a
formidable kind, two steam vessels were equipped for the purpose, the
larger was computed to be 145 tons burden, and propelled by a fifty
horse engine. Her sides were pierced and mounted with ten six
pounders. Forward, a very formidable display was made by a
twenty-four pound swivel gun, whilst a long swivel eighteen pound
carronade astern seemed to threaten destruction to every foe. In
addition to these precautions against the Spanish pirates who infest
the coast, and of which Lander was himself an eye witness in the
capture of the brig Thomas, and also against such of the native
tribes, who might prove hostile to the expedition, she was completely
surrounded by a _chevaux de frise_, and amply provided with small
arms and boarding pikes for forty persons, of which number the crew
were to consist. This steamer was named after the river she was
intended to ascend, namely the Quorra, which is the Arabic for
"shining river." Her draft of water was easy, and in her ascent would
not be more than two feet six inches, which was very small,
considering that no sacrifice had been made of those operations,
which constitute the _beau ideal_ of a steamer, which the Quorra
certainly was. The construction of the paddles was such, that should
favourable winds occur, they could be removed in such a manner, that
she could use sails instead of steam, and receive no impediment to
her progress by their immersion in the water. She was schooner rigged
and rather lofty. The Quorra was intended to ascend the principal
stream, and the lesser vessel, which was built entirely of wrought
iron, and of a draught of only 18 inches, was intended to explore all
the tributary streams, and to visit Timbuctoo, Warree, Soccatoo, &c.
&c. This latter vessel was only 55 tons burden, and called the
Alburkha, which is the Arabic for "blessing." The brig Columbine,
which was to accompany them as far as the river Nun, was principally
laden with fuel and other articles for the use of the two steamers.
She was not to ascend the river, but to anchor in a convenient place
as a kind of store-house for the steamers. It was expected that a
sufficiency of wood