Mr.John Reinhold Forster and his son were fixed upon to explore and collect the natural history of the countries which might be visited, and an ample sum was granted by parliament for the purpose.

That nothing might be wanting to accomplish the scientific views of the expedition, the board of longitude agreed with Mr.
William Wales and Mr.William Bayley, to make astronomical observations.

Mr.Wales was stationed in the Resolution, and Mr.
Bayley in the Adventure.

By the same board they were furnished with the best of instruments, and particularly with four time-pieces, three constructed by Arnold, and one by Mr.Kendal, on Mr.Harrison's principles.
Though Captain Cook had been appointed to the command of the Resolution on the 28th of November 1771, such were the preparations necessary for so long and important a voyage, and the impediments which occasionally and unavoidably occurred, that the ship did not sail from Deptford till the 9th of April following, nor did she leave Long Reach till the 10th of May.

In plying down the river, it was found necessary to put into Sheerness, in order to make some alterations in her upper works.