48 Chapter I. 



" From my experience of three seasons in the Antarctic 

 regions I do not think that a ship, of whatever build, 

 could long resist destruction if committed to the move- 

 ments of the pack in the polar regions. One built as 

 strongly as the Fram would no doubt resist great 

 pressures in the open pack, but not any pressure or 

 repeated pressures, and still less the thrust of the pack 

 if driven with or by it against land. The lines of the 

 Fram might be of service so long- as she was on an 



o o 



even keel or in ice of no great height above the water- 

 line ; but amongst floes and bergs or when thrown on 

 her beam-ends, they would avail her nothing." 



If the Fram were to drift towards the Greenland 

 coast or the American polar islands he is of opinion 

 that, supposing a landing could be effected, there would 

 be no probability at all of salvation. Assuming that 

 a landing could be effected, it must be on an inhospitable 

 and probably ice-bound coast, or on the mountainous 

 ice of a palseocrystic sea. With a certainly enfeebled, 

 and probably reduced ship's company, there could, in 

 such a case, be no prospect of reaching succour. Putting 

 aside the possibility of scurvy (against which there is no 

 certain prophylactic), have the depressing influence on 

 the minds of the crew resulting from long confinement 

 in very close quarters during many months of darkness, 

 extreme cold, inaction, ennui, constant peril, and the 

 haunting uncertainty as to the future, been sufficiently 

 taken into account ? Perfunctory duties and occupations 



