66 Chapter II. 



the sides of the ship, so as to strengthen them against 

 external pressure and to distribute its force. The 

 vertical stanchions between both tiers of beams and 

 between the lower beams and keelson are admirably 

 adapted for this latter object. All are connected 

 together with strong knees and iron fastenings, so that 

 the whole becomes as it were a single coherent mass. 

 It should be borne in mind that, while in former 

 expeditions it was thought sufficient to give a couple of 

 beams amidships some extra strengthening, every single 

 cross beam in the Frani was stayed in the manner 

 described and depicted. 



In the engine-room there was, of course, no space for 

 supports in the middle, but in their place two stay ends 

 were fixed on either side. The beams of the lower deck 

 were placed a little under the water-line, where the ice- 

 pressure would be severest. In the after-hold these 

 beams had to be raised a little to give room for the 

 engine. The upper deck aft, therefore, was somewhat 

 higher than the main deck, and the ship had a poop or 

 half-deck, under which were the cabins for all the 

 members of the expedition, and also the cooking-galley. 

 Strong iron riders were worked in for the whole length 

 of the ship in the spaces between the beams, extending 

 in one length from the clamp under the upper deck 

 nearly to the keelson. The keelson was in two 

 tiers and about 31 inches (80 cm.) high, saving in the 

 engine-room where the height of the room only allows 



