EQUIPMENT 339 



40-fathom length in the open, although we were several times compelled to anchor with 

 it in sheltered water through some temporary breakdown. 



The Marconi 4- valve R.P. 11 long- wave wireless telegraphy receiving set worked very 

 well and enabled us to receive time signals from Nauen or Rugby practically when 

 required. This set should be replaced nowadays by a short-wave set, because the 

 receiver with its low and high-tension batteries took up a lot of space and was also very 

 heavy for a small boat. The frame aerial also was rather too large for easy handling. 



With the instruments numerous spares had to be taken, for we had no means of doing 

 any but the simplest repairs. Duplicate theodolites and other delicate instruments had 

 to be carried and kept in a safe place. Of the theodolites the most useful was one with 

 a 3I in. glass circle of the Tavistock type (see p. 306). The Admiralty theodolites were 

 found rather cumbrous, as so much climbing had to be done and landings made on 

 slippery rocks. They stand hard wear very well, however, and one that lay water-logged 

 for some time and probably had many hard knocks when the 'Alert' went ashore, was 

 cleaned and dried and found to be entirely undamaged. In these theodolites the leather 

 covers for protecting the bare skin from the metal screws in cold weather were not found 

 very useful, and wash-leather gloves are recommended to be worn instead. The leather is 

 inclined to turn on the screws and thus cause delay when the fingers are already numb : 

 the gloves both keep the cold off the fingers and protect them from the metal. For 

 eyepieces wash-leather gummed on will serve, but non-metal eyepieces would be 

 better. 



Drmving boards of single wood were supplied. Although light and handy, they got 

 very dry and nearly all split. 



Beacons. Hop poles about 15 ft. in length are generally quite large enough for beacons, 

 as they can be readily seen at a great distance if properly sited. Larger poles are heavy 

 to carry if the ground is at all steep ; they are also too large for the boat. Red and white 

 flags were chiefly used, and of medium size, 9 ft. by 3 ft. approximately. Owing to the 

 high winds encountered, larger flags put too much strain on the spun-yarn guys. A small 

 amount of orange calico, which was taken to South Georgia for experiment, was very 

 visible and might be used instead of red. When the background is rocky and has snow 

 patches, white and red may blend with it, and a vivid orange is therefore best. Four-yarn 

 spun-yarn is necessary for the guys, and of these at least four to each beacon are essential, 

 with more on the strong wind side than the other. The anchor for the guys has to be 

 left to circumstances, but a round turn around tussac serves very well, when available, 

 as tussac is very tough. An iron bar with a point (a short crowbar) was always carried 

 to make holes for the stakes in the frozen ground or ice ; occasionally a point of rock 

 could be used, but with this the yarn chafed if not protected. If possible, the heel of 

 the pole should be sunk. 



Tents, of which four were taken, comprised two light Antarctic tents, one Willesden 

 canvas and one duck canvas. The best one for general use turned out to be the green 

 Willesden, being more watertight than the others. It was, however, very stiff to pack, 

 especially when wet, and very heavy; but as we packed the tent when wet in the pram. 



6-2 



