Editing HMS Investigator (1848) (section)

== Characteristics ==
Built at [[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]] of [[Greenock]] on the [[Firth of Clyde]], and running 422&nbsp;tonnes, ''Investigator'' was purchased by the Admiralty in February 1848 and was fitted for [[Arctic]] exploration by R. & H. Green at [[Blackwall Yard]] on the [[River Thames]].{{sfn|Winfield|2004|p=141}}

She was strengthened for Arctic service by William M. Rice, master shipwright of [[Woolwich Dockyard]]. She was extensively strengthened with timber—[[teak]], [[English oak]], Canadian [[elm]]—and {{convert|5/16|in|0|abbr=on}} steel plating. Ten pairs of [[wrought iron]] diagonal riders were set in the hold, with ten pairs of diagonal plates on the sides of the vessel between decks.

To cope with snow and ice loads, the upper decks were doubled with {{convert|3|in|abbr=on}} [[fir]] planking. Preston's Patent Ventilating Illuminators were installed to improve light and ventilation. [[Charles Sylvester]]'s warming apparatus, a modern stove system capable of warming the entire ship, was also employed with good results.{{sfn|Armstrong|1857}} The same or similar device had been used by [[William Edward Parry]] in 1821, to prevent condensation and aerate the lowest deck.