PROBLEMS OF VENTILATION 141 



" hoggishly mild," as Beck used to put it. Our other- 

 wise comfortable cabins had one fault; there were no 

 portholes in the ship's side, and therefore we could not 

 get a draught; but most of us managed without shift- 

 ing our quarters. Of the two saloons, the fore-saloon 

 was decidedly preferable in warm weather; in a cold 

 climate probably the reverse would be the case. We 

 were able to secure a thorough draught of air forward, 

 through the alleyway leading to the forecastle; it was 

 difficult to get a good circulation aft, where they also 

 had the warm proximity of the engine. The engineers, 

 of course, had the hottest place, but the ever-inventive 

 Sundbeck devised a means of improving the ventilation 

 of the engine-room, so that even there they were not so 

 badly off under the circumstances. 



One often hears it asked, Which is to be preferred, 

 severe heat or severe cold? It is not easy to give a 

 definite answer; neither of the two is pleasant, and it 

 must remain a matter of taste which is least so. On 

 board ship no doubt most people will vote for heat, as, 

 even if the days are rather distressing, one has the 

 glorious nights to make up for them. A bitterly cold 

 day is poorly compensated for by an even colder night. 



One decided advantage of a warm climate for men 

 who have to be frequently in and out of their clothes 

 and their bunks is the simplicity of costume which it 

 allows. When you wear hardly anything it takes a 

 very short time to dress. 



