 Spicer-Simson had experience in Africa and was fluent in French and German, so the Admiralty overlooked his undistinguished record and selected him to lead the expedition.His commanders saw nothing to lose in sending him to what was considered a sideshow to the events in Europe.The two motorboats, which Spicer-Simson named and (the Admiralty having rejected his initial proposal that they be named "Cat" and "Dog"), were loaded aboard on 15 June along with the expedition′s equipment and supplies.