A substantial private donation and a government grant finally allowed the National Antarctic Expedition to proceed. A new ship, the , was built, and a mainly naval crew of officers and crewmen appointed, along with a scientific staff which was later described as "underpowered". "Discovery" sailed on 5 August 1901, after an inspection by King Edward VII, at which Markham was present to introduce Scott and the officers. The ship was gone for just over three years during which time, from a base in the Ross Sea area, significant explorations of this sector of Antarctica were carried out, along with an extensive scientific programme. Although it was reported by the "Times" as "one of the most successful that ever ventured into the Polar regions, north or south," it was largely ignored by the government of the day. Markham was criticised in official quarters for privately sanctioning a second season in the Antarctic, contrary to the original plan, and then being unable to raise funds for the expedition's relief in 1904. The cost for this had to be borne on His Majesty's Treasury.