/ 2 Chapter II. 



It may be mentioned as an improvement on former expe- 

 ditions that the Fram was furnished with an electric 

 light installation. The dynamo was to be driven by the 

 engine while we were under steam ; while the intention 

 was to drive it partly by means of the wind, partly by 

 hand power, during our sojourn in the ice. For 

 this purpose we took a windmill with us, and also a 

 " horsemill ' to be worked by ourselves. I had antici- 

 pated that this latter might have been useful in giving 

 us exercise in the long polar night. We found, 

 however, that there were plenty of other things to 

 do, and we never used it ; on the other hand, the 

 windmill proved extremely serviceable. For illumination 

 when we might not have enough power to produce 

 electric light, we took with us about 16 tons of petroleum, 

 which was also intended for cooking purposes and for 

 warming the cabins. This petroleum, as well as 20 tons 

 of common kerosene^ intended to be used along with 

 coal in the boiler, was stored in massive iron tanks, eight 

 of which were in the hold, and one on deck. In all, the 

 ship had eight boats, two of which were especially large, 



This oil, by means of a specially constructed steam-jet apparatus, 

 was injected into the furnaces in the form of a fine spray, where it 

 burned in a very economical and saving manner, giving forth a great 

 amount of heat. The apparatus was one which has been applied to 

 locomotives in England, whence it was procured. It appeared, however, 

 that it tended to overheat the boiler at one particular point, where it 

 made a dent, so that we soon abandoned this method of firing. 



