three o’clock
The boats of the Resolute were in waiting at the stairs of Westminster Bridge . The captain leaped in , accompanied by his officers and passengers , and the rapid current of the Thames , aiding the strong arms of the rowers , bore them swiftly to Greenwich . In an hour 's time all were asleep on board . The next morning , February 21st , at three o'clock , the furnaces began to roar ; at five , the anchors were weighed , and the Resolute , powerfully driven by her screw , began to plough the water toward the mouth of the Thames . It is needless to say that the topic of conversation with every one on board was Dr. Ferguson 's enterprise . Seeing and hearing the doctor soon inspired everybody with such confidence that , in a very short time , there was no one , excepting the incredulous Scotchman , on the steamer who had the least doubt of the perfect feasibility and success of the expedition . During the long , unoccupied hours of the voyage , the doctor held regular sittings , with lectures on geographical science , in the officers ' mess-room .