WORK OF EQUIPMENT 29 



scientific staff, and many of the details of the scientific equip- 

 ment passed into his hands, where I soon became conscious 

 they rested with safety. Mr. Murray also undertook to edit 

 that very important publication the * Antarctic Manual,' which 

 provided us with a great deal of scientific and historical 

 instruction concerning the regions we were about to visit. 



But it was not all plain sailing with those who were 

 gathered around me at this important time ; not all were such 

 staunch supporters as those I have mentioned. Amongst my 

 most careful selections had been the person who was to hold 

 the responsible position of ship's steward. At this time a good 

 ship's steward would have been invaluable, but my choice 

 proved unfortunate, and first and last caused us a great deal 

 of trouble, although I am glad to say we were rid of him 

 before the expedition sailed. 



In this manner and with varying fortune the work of equip- 

 ment proceeded. First a lengthy provision list was drawn up, 

 the amounts being calculated for a three-years' absence ; 

 tinned meats, vegetables, flour, biscuit, butter, sugar, and every 

 other necessary article were ordered in due proportion, and 

 even such minor requirements as dubbin and plate-powder 

 were not forgotten. After this came a consideration of the 

 clothing, and with what an assortment of this we were provided 

 will be gathered from the pages of this narrative ; for it will be 

 seen that we had need to be prepared for every variety of 

 climate, from the sultry heat of the tropics, through the storms 

 of the Southern Seas, to the intense cold of the Far South. 

 Next came the provision of the travelling equipment — sledges, 

 tents, furs, &c., had to be thought of and selected with a care 

 which I shall explain in a future chapter. 



But the above by no means exhausts the list of subjects 

 for which arrangements had to be made in that small ofifice in 

 Burlington House. Few people can realise what an extra- 

 ordinary variety of articles is required on such an expedition 

 as ours, where a ship and its crew are to be banished from all 

 sources of supply for a lengthened period. For, besides the 

 provision of food and clothing and such things as were 



