NORTH POLE OF THE WINDS 



passed out. We were later to learn of the tragic 

 experience of this disabled vessel. Held for a 

 time at Holstensborg, at the first opportunity its 

 condition was reported in Norway and a ship sent 

 out from there to tow the disabled vessel home. 

 The cruise started well, but later in bad weather 

 the tow-line parted and the ship was swept away 

 and lost, the crew, however, being saved. 



With her false keel gone the Morrissey was un- 

 able to nose into the wind and quite unable to tack 

 when the wind was ahead. Facing the wind it 

 would be necessary to wear the ship and resort to 

 the dangerous expedient of jibing. Our reliance 

 had therefore to be placed upon the engine when- 

 ever we should encounter a head wind. On the 

 evening of the eighth, hardly more than a day after 

 leaving port, a game of cards was in progress in 

 the midships cabin, and Peary, who was sitting in 

 the game, rather suddenly stopped in order to listen 

 to the revolutions of his motor in the neighboring 

 engine room, since it seemed to be slowing up. 

 He turned to me and asked for my watch so that 

 he might count the revolutions. Apparently 

 satisfied, he resumed his game, but almost im- 

 mediately jumped up and rushed to the engine 

 room and jammed down the throttle to the mo- 

 tor. Our screw and a portion of the shaft had 



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