CHAPTER XII 



SHERIDAN TO ETAH 



JULY 30th and 31st the weather was fine, the 

 channel pack surging back and forth with the 

 tides close alongside, and every now and then large 

 pieces crowding in against us, necessitating shifting 

 the Roosevelt by the lines to avoid them. The channel 

 pack consisted of very large floes packed closely to- 

 gether and showing no signs of leads throughout the 

 entire width of the channel and as far north and south 

 as could be seen. The ship's people assisted by the 

 Eskimos worked night and day to complete the 

 finishing touches to the new rudder so that we could take 

 advantage of the first opportunity to get away from 

 this exposed and dangerous position. From the 

 Captain I learned the story of the Roosevelt's experi- 

 ences after the ice opened at Cape Sheridan. She had 

 had a crucial trial which few if any other ships would 

 have survived, and twice everything had been landed 

 from her in the belief that she would never leave her 

 present position. 



The Captain was enthusiastic over the model of the 

 ship and the ease with which she rose when nipped. 



The Chief was enthusiastic about the size and strength 



of her shaft which at one time during the nip that 



did her so much damage, held the entire weight of the 



after part of the ship. 



247 



