32 



MARION 



EXPEDITIOiSr TO DAVIS STRAIT AND BAFFIN BAY 



Island, AYhich in the eavlj morning light were transformed to purest 

 white and gold. Ice stretched as far as we could see, and the im- 

 pressiA'eness of our surroundings Avas further emphasized by the great 

 stillness prevailing everywhere. It was plain that attempts to secure 

 observations near Cape Dier would have to be abandoned, for the 

 time being at least. Slost of the floes that now surrounded the ship 

 consisted of heavy pack ice that extended downwards in the water 

 10 to 15 feet. We were timid about using our propellers, which, of 

 course, were quite light and very easily bent. Even at their depth 

 of 7 feet just one lick w^ould be enough to place one permanently out 



A CAPTIVE IS ABOUT TO BE HAULED ABOARD 



Figure 26. — This polar bear cub was noosed from a dory sent out among ice cakes after 

 her mother and brother were shot. She was towed alongside, secured with additional 

 lines, and placed in the forepeak after a stiff fight. She remained aboard from August 

 1.5, 1928, until shipped from New London, Conn., to the National Zoo at Washington, 

 D. C, over a month later. 



of commission, and two such blows against cakes of ice might sud- 

 denly leave us hel^Dless in a very precarious position. So we worked 

 things gently for a while and finally got the ship turned offshore by 

 placing the stem against an especially heavy floe. 



By 4.07 a. iil on August K) tlie ice had slackened somewhat and the 

 ship cautiously began working due southward. The fog cleared up 

 early and another fine calm day was experienced, with much bright 

 sunshine, especially in the afternoon. Due to the ice and cold Avater 

 about, the air temperatures remained between 36° and ■42° all day, 

 about 10° colder than average temperatures experienced around Disko 

 Island. 



