x PREFACE 



maining when the winter of 1904-5 began consisted 

 of slack. For cooking purposes it was necessary 

 to mix this with seal blubber, and the odour from 

 this combination was something awful. 



In July the Heimdal managed to reach Black- 

 lead Island, and then attempted the homeward 

 voyage. But her condition was so bad that she 

 was bound to return to the station, where she was 

 eventually broken up and used as fuel. 



While these things were going on in the northern 

 latitudes, there was a considerable amount of 

 anxiety and stir at Salisbury Square. The means 

 of communication were considered too precarious 

 for the safety of the Mission. The Committee 

 could hear of no vessel being sent out this -year at 

 all. So after much deliberation it was determined, 

 at a very large cost to the Church Missionary So- 

 ciety, to charter the smack Theodora to bring the 

 missionaries home. She accomplished the voyage 

 safely, and reached the Arctic Patmos on Septem- 

 ber 21. 



On October 7, 1905, Mr. Peck, Mr. Bilby, and the 

 crew of the Heimdal embarked. There were sixteen 

 souls on board a vessel which had cabin accommo- 

 dation sufficient for two or three. So the journey 

 was not without danger and discomfort. But all 

 ended well. 



Mr. Greenshield left Blacklead Island in the 

 following year, and so the place was finally 



