The ball aboard Erebus and Terror on June 1st, 1841, as described in Robert McCormick's memoir, Voyages of Discovery in the Arctic and Antarctic Seas, and Round the World (1884):
The "Erebus" and "Terror" Bali,. — We have been favoured by a fine evening for our ball, which commenced at eight p.m., on Tuesday, the 1st of June. The approach to the ships was through a canvas-covered way, forming an arcade, lined with flags intermingled with branches of the "wattle," in its full yellow bloom, and other plants, the whole supported on a bridge of boats, and of sufficient breadth for two persons to walk abreast along it. A lamp-post was placed on each side of the entrance, so ornamented with native plants, as to resemble the mouth of a grotto, between which and the road through the paddock Sir John Franklin had got constructed a branch road, to enable the carriages to pass down the hill to the very entrance of this tunnel-like approach to the ball-room, which was formed by the upper deck of the Erebus, the innermost ship, whilst the Terror, outside of us, secured head and stern, with a bridge connecting the gangway, was allotted for the supper-table.
Our ball-room was covered in by a canvas awning, lined throughout with flags, and decorated with the various native plants, branches of the beautiful orange-yellow wattle, ferns, &c. The band of the 51st Regiment occupied an orchestra, covered with dark cloth rising to some feet above the deck, and ornamented with shrubs and flowers, in front of which was suspended a portrait of our Queen, encircled in a garland of flowers. Just abaft the main-mast rose a second orchestra, for the Hobart Town quadrille band, in the midst of a labyrinth of foliage. The capstan, also, supported a pile of Flora's productions, and in the centre of the flags, forming a screen between the forecastle and the waist (where lemonade was served as a refreshment to the dancers) was a floral device, representing the letters "V.R." The tops of the sky-lights were converted into ottomans covered with flags, and benches covered with scarlet cloth were ranged all round the sides of the ship, as seats for those not engaged in the dance. The whole was brilliantly lighted up by chandeliers obtained from the shore, and with lamps placed at intervals around the sides, the effect of which was very much heightened from the approach by the tunnel having been barely lighted sufficiently to enable the guests to find their way, so that, after wending along a gloomy, narrow passage for some sixty or seventy yards, a flood of light all at once burst upon them on stepping from the gangway upon the quarter-deck, and here the captains and officers were standing to receive their guests.
Captain Ross's cabin and the gun-room of the Erebus were assigned as dressing-rooms for the ladies, and were supplied with mirrors and most of the etceteras of a lady's toilet, down to hair-pins, eau-de-Cologne, and other perfumes. The descent to the lower deck was by the main hatchway, the steps covered with red baize, having a circular awning of flags decorated with flowers of the wattle, and rosettes made of bunting by the sailors. The ring-bolts had been removed from the decks, and everything that could possibly leave more space.
The governor, Sir John Franklin, and his suite arrived soon after eight p.m., and by nine o'clock the deck presented a very gay and animated scene, upwards of 300 guests must have been present during the evening. Each officer being a steward, and having the option of inviting ten personal friends, was well able to secure attention to all, and the more especially as each had a station assigned him in charge of a division at the supper-table for which lots had been drawn, as the most equitable plan to avoid all partiality. I was very fortunate in this lottery, for, had the choice been offered me, I should most unhesitatingly have selected the one which fell to my lot. It was the small table over the gun-room companion, just abaft the main-mast, with the capstan immediately behind me ; a snug, isolated berth, with just sufficient room to accommodate my own little party of seven, consisting of my friend Mr. Gregson, Mrs. Gregson, and Miss Gregson, Dr. Clark, the Inspector-General of Hospitals, Mr. Crombie, the lawyer, and two other friends of theirs. Supper was served at eleven p.m., and after some squeezing and pressure in the passage, through the narrow gangway between the Erebus and Terror, all found their seats at the table, the governor and his suite, with the two captains, occupying the after-part of the quarter-deck table, which was terminated by a small table athwart-ships for that purpose.
As usual on such occasions many toasts were drunk, and speeches perpetrated, accompanied by loud cheering and emptying of wine-glasses. McMurdo, the senior lieutenant of the Terror, with whom rested the arrangement of the supper-table, had, with his customary good taste, left nothing to be desired in its decoration, and certainly threw us in the into the shade, the difference being just in the same degree as existed in the minds of the two senior lieutenants themselves, with whom these preparations rested. The sides were lined with black and scarlet cloth, having candles placed at intervals backed by mirrors, for which purpose the looking-glasses intended as presents to the natives of any lands we might visit were taken from their frames, small bouquets were attached to these, and the effect was very pleasing. The chandeliers were tastefully formed of bright steel bayonets, which had a far more ship-shape appearance than our hired commonplace glass ones from the shore. The productions of Flora were most tastefully arranged in small bouquets variously grouped. The supper-tables bore on them poultry, dressed in various ways, pies, pastries, cakes, and jellies, with fruits; of wines, port, sherry, and hock, and an abundance of champagne. On returning to the ball-room dancing continued until daylight. My friends the Gregsons, who had arrived at nine p.m., I escorted to their carriage at the paddock at four a.m. The whole affair passed off well, every one seemed highly gratified with their entertainment, and even the elements were propitious, as our guests had a fine evening for their arrival, and a morning not less so for their departure.
The Erebus and Terror Ball will doubtless long be remembered by the Tasmanians as a memorable event in the history of their very beautiful island; and most assuredly the boundless hospitality which every member of the expedition received at their hands will be as long remembered on their part as a no less interesting epoch in their own wandering lives.
