

i 9 io] THE STORM 7 



but it is a squash. Our meals are simple enough, but it is really 

 remarkable to see the manner in which our two stewards, Hooper 

 and Neald, provide for all requirements, washing up, tidying 

 cabin, and making themselves generally useful in the cheerfullest 

 manner. 



With such a large number of hands on board, allowing nine 

 seamen in each watch, the ship is easily worked, and Meares and 

 Oates have their appointed assistants to help them in custody of 

 dogs and ponies, but on such a night as the last with the prospect 

 of dirty weather, the ' after guard ' of volunteers is awake and 

 exhibiting its delightful enthusiasm in the cause of safety and 

 comfort some are ready to lend a hand if there is difficulty with 

 ponies and dogs, others in shortening or trimming sails, and 

 others again in keeping the bunkers filled with the deck coal. 



I think Priestley is the most seriously incapacitated by sea- 

 sickness others who might be as bad have had some experience 

 of the ship and her movement. Ponting cannot face meals but 

 sticks to his work; on the way to Port Chalmers I am told that 

 he posed several groups before the cinematograph, though obliged 

 repeatedly to retire to the ship's side. Yesterday he was devel- 

 oping plates with the developing dish in one hand and an ordi- 

 nary basin in the other! 



We have run 190 miles to-day: a good start, but incon- 

 venient in one respect we have been making for Campbell 

 Island, but early this morning it became evident that our rapid 

 progress would bring us to the Island in the middle of the night, 

 instead of to-morrow, as I had anticipated. The delay of waiting 

 for daylight would not be advisable under the circumstances, so 

 we gave up this item of our programme. 



Later in the day the wind has veered to the westward, heading 

 us slightly. I trust it will not go further round; we are now 

 more than a point to eastward of our course to the ice, and 

 three points to leeward of that to Campbell Island, so that we 

 should not have fetched the Island anyhow. 



Friday, December 2. A day of great disaster. From 4 

 o'clock last night the wind freshened with great rapidity, and 

 very shortly we were under topsails, jib, and staysail only. It 

 blew very hard and the sea got up at once. Soon we were plung- 

 ing heavily and taking much water over the lee rail. Oates and 

 Atkinson with intermittent assistance from others were busy keep- 



