About three hundred disposable men were called up, and placed on one part of the deck; and after the nature of the voyage, with the number of men wanted, had been explained to them, those who volunteered were desired to go over to the opposite side.

The candidates were no less than two hundred and fifty, most of whom sought with eagerness to be received; and the eleven who were chosen proved, with one single exception, to be worthy of the preference they obtained." Of the whole crew (and the total ship's company numbered 83) only two caused any trouble to the commander.

As these two "required more severity in reducing to good order than I wished to exercise in a service of this nature," when the Investigator reached the Cape, Flinders arranged with the Admiral there, Sir Roger Curtis, to exchange them--as well as two others who from lack of sufficient strength were not suitable--for four sailors upon the flagship, who made a pressing application to go upon a voyage of discovery.

Thus purged of a very few refractories and inefficients, the ship's company was a happy, loyal and healthy crew, of whom the commander was justifiably proud.
The officers and scientific staff were chosen with a view to making the voyage fruitful in utility.

The first lieutenant, Robert Fowler, had served on the ship when she was the Xenophon.