Henry Rea was born circa 1804. In 1833, he was serving in the Royal Navy when he was appointed by the Admiralty to assist John Biscoe in his scientific investigations on a proposed voyage to the Antarctic in the brig, Hopefull, commissioned by the Messrs Enderby. Perhaps because of ill health, Biscoe eventually withdrew and decided to return to seafaring in warmer latitudes. Messrs Enderby then appointed William Lysle as commander of Hopefull, accompanied by John Tobias Mallows in Rose . Setting out in July 1833, the two vessels reached the Falkland Islands in October, where Rea took over command of Hopefull . Proceeding in execution of their orders, the two vessels sought a passage in longitude 30 to 40° West, against the currents and the prevailing winds. They got as far as 60°South, 53°West, where Rose was crushed in pack ice in January 1834. After rescuing her crew, Rea decided to abandon the voyage and returned to London on 21 May 1834.
From the guide to the Henry Rea collection, 1832-1833, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)
