ABRUZZI, THE ROYAL ITALIAN EXPLORER 419 



They worked on with a brave persistence, Italian and Nor- 

 wegian alike, until they had all the stores out on the ice, together 

 with spars, ropes, sails, and all other things needed for the con- 

 struction of a shelter in which to pass the winter, if it should become 

 necessary. This was only completed after twenty- four hours of 

 toil, and when it was finished the worn-out party sought a brief 

 respite in sleep. As soon as the pumps ceased working the waters 

 rose rapidly in the holds and over the furnace bars, putting out the 

 fires. Contrary to expectations, the 'ship did not go down, the ice 

 being sufficiently strong to sustain it from sinking, so that the water 

 stopped rising when it had covered the furnaces. 



Although the ship was now secure from sinking, it had heeled 

 over to such an extent that it was impossible to remain on board, 

 and a hut was erected on shore, around which the stores were 

 stacked for the winter. For ten days the entire party labored at 

 this work, and when it was finished it was realized that all the plans 

 for the preliminary sledge trips must be abandoned. Instead of 

 giving attention to reaching the Pole, it was first of all necessary 

 to see what could be done in the way of repairing the ship so as to 

 keep it afloat when the supporting ice should give way. 



A close examination revealed the fact that the severe pressure 

 had considerably affected the form of the ship. The crank shaft 

 was bent out of the straight, and the heavy iron beams which had 

 been put in to strengthen the vessel amidships were all bent and 

 twisted. The planks at the sides were started and gaped open in 

 many places. The water which had made its way in had frozen, so 

 that the furnaces were covered by a sheet of solid ice, while the 

 same thing existed in the hold. As the hand-pump could not lower 

 the water alone, it was decided to use a boiler and pump which 

 formed part of the balloon equipment. Although the use of these 

 articles effectually terminated any hopes of balloon experiments, it 

 enabled them to get the water down sufficiently to permit of repairs 

 being effected. From the beginning of October to the middle of 



