PREPARATIONS FOR WINTERING. 837 



the north wind. At tlie back, looking towards the obser- 

 vatory, was the exit, the only opening in the tent, which 

 could be closed by a trap-board. Through this small 

 hole we slipped in and out on to some wooden steps 

 by which we reached the ice. The favourable weather 

 was also taken advantage of to tar the ship's sides. 



Whilst the outside was thus putting on its winter 

 clothing, many alterations were made within. The ques- 

 tion here was not only the greatest protection from 

 cold, but the making it really habitable and home-like. 

 We already found that the warmest half was the fore- 

 cabin, just abaft the forecastle, and which was built 

 like a cage in the middle of the hold, which surrounded 

 it on all four sides. Hereupon a winter cabin for the 

 captain had to be made, as the former, from its isolated 

 joosition in the afterpart of the ship, required too much 

 coal to warm it. 



As it was further desirable, both for work and amuse- 

 ment during the long winter, to have more room, the 

 back wall of the cabin was set back three quarters of a 

 yard ; and on a line with this a new room of forty-three 

 inches in depth was built, connected by an opening, but 

 with no door. The wooden walls of the cabin were then 

 covered on the outside with felt, and on the inside with 

 thick woollen stuff, called " coating." The floor was 

 partly covered with a carpet, and partly also with felt 

 and sailcloth nailed over it. The iron stove had then 

 to change its place and go into the farthest corner, from 

 whence it could most effectually warm all parts. The 

 ceiling was likewise set up inside, and it was intended 

 by-and-by to cover the roof with snow for protection. 

 The skylight, too, could not be allowed to remain open ; 



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