290 



APPENDIX. 



c. 



Winter Mttings. 



In the construction of the winter housing hitherto practised in Arctic 

 vessels, it lias been considered necessary to cover the main hatchway 

 completely, caulking it down and filling the space between the under 

 and upper sides of the hatchway (a depth of two feet) with packed 

 oakum. Three hatchways are left open, one forward for the crew -. 

 one abaft the mainmast for the officers ; and the last, before the mizen 

 mast, for the captain ; all these are fitted with close hoods lined with 

 felt, and adapted with upper and lower doors, the intention being 

 that one should close before the other is opened ; but it is evident that 

 where the wills and purposes of more than one individual are concerned 

 that no such intention could be carried out. The result inevitably is, 

 that in two of these approaches to the lower deck a continuous stream 

 of cold air, of the temperature on deck (or that of the external air), is 

 constantly rushing down and meeting the warmer air below, condens- 

 ing it instantly into a dense white vapour, or it becomes absorbed by 

 the ice ever coating the spaces between the beams. This vapour would 

 instantly be converted into ice, if the upper heated current of breath 

 did not prevent it. The result is, that the beams become charged with 

 large drops of water, which fall to the deck, and by all these combined 

 effects maintain an unhealthy wet and vapour bntli. 



