And now the enterprise is to be set on foot.
For nearly a century and a half the Hudson's Bay Company ships have sailed yearly from the Thames, and taken the goods of the London merchants to the posts and forts of Hudson Bay, carrying back rich returns of furs.

Sometimes more than one a year has gone.

In 1811 there was the Commodore's ship the "Prince of Wales," with cabin accommodation and such comforts as ships of that period supplied.

A second ship, the "Eddystone," chartered for special service, accompanied her.

These two were intended to carry out employees and men for the fur trade, as well as the goods.
It must not be forgotten that there was some want of confidence between the trading side of the Hudson's Bay Company and that which Lord Selkirk represented, in the Colonizing enterprise.