320 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



to fit the contours of their bodies. The tents being of the Antarctic type, with no ropes 

 but a deep valance which was weighted with snow (or anything else, like sand or 

 shingle), the result was a furrow with the tent wall on one side. The weight of a seal is, 

 however, rather too much for a tent, and they had to be discouraged, although they are 

 normally very peaceful sleepers. 



The requirements for a camp were not easy to fulfil. At Maiviken the boat was not 

 too well protected and we should have had to shift in the event of east wind. At 

 Pleasant Cove there was no dry ground except on large pebbles just on the high-water 

 line, and we should have had to move the camp with a spring tide or a more than usually 

 heavy swell (Plate XLI, fig. 2). At Jason Harbour we actually did have to move the 

 camp owing to the swell, and the boat did not lie very comfortably. 



Here, at Fortuna Bay, the appearance of the beach suggested a quite heavy swell at 

 times. So far as the camp was concerned this did not matter, as the snow being still 

 fairly thick on the ground, and smooth and soft, we could camp anywhere in fairly dry 

 conditions. With the ' Alert ' the case was different, for to moor in water which was deep 

 enough not to break would entail going out too far, and the water then deepened very 

 steeply, giving rise to the danger of the anchors slipping off. We got over this difficulty 

 by making a long 30 fathom 3 J-in. hemp spring fast to a rock on shore. We had done this 

 before, but whereas up to now we had moored head and stern, here we allowed the 

 'Alert' to swing: this seemed to be the wisest course, as the wind here changed from 

 north to south and back often and quickly, owing to the hills behind. 



Having camped, we commenced triangulation as usual. We were again favoured by a 

 flat snow surface, which permitted the measuring of a 2100 ft. base in full view of all the 

 four main stations we made. The triangulation was completed in three days, and some 

 inshore sounding carried out by the pram. The coast-line was also walked over, round 

 the south-west end. 



At this point I was disturbed to find that our petrol consumption had become 

 excessive, and that we were now making only i J miles to the gallon, instead of 2| miles. 

 Owing to the inexperience of Alsford, who was acting as motorman, the cause could not 

 be detected. It was laid down that a margin above the estimated requirements of at 

 least 10 gallons should always be kept for passages in the open sea. This reserve is not 

 quite as great as it seems, as owing to the shape of the tank, 2 or 3 gallons are always left 

 in its bottom. Having to reach Prince Olaf Harbour, our next stop, a distance of at least 

 20 miles, with possible delays, I could not afford to use any more petrol for sounding. 

 Accordingly we decided to leave completion of the sounding until our return after 

 finishing the surveys in the north-west. 



We made ready for departure, therefore, and after having to wait two days for 

 favourable weather, left on October 25. The day turned out, however, worse than was 

 expected. When passing the end of Fortuna Glacier and across Antarctic Bay, with a 

 westerly wind of force 7, we had to tack across to prevent being swamped. It was impos- 

 sible to turn back, so we steamed to Cape Constance, where of course we were sheltered. 

 On venturing into Possession Bay, however, it was seen that the crossing would be 



