2 NEW LAND. 



sufficient for two or three years, increased so much during the 

 equipment that before we started we had enough for live. 



During the course of a conversation with my owners, I 

 happened to remark that the conditions in the north might compel 

 me to deviate from the route originally fixed on, and they immedi- 

 ately gave me a free hand, saying that I might sail whither I 

 would. With such owners as these a polar expedition becomes 

 almost a pleasure trip ! 



In the spring of 1897 the Government was petitioned for the 

 loan of the ' Fram ' for the voyage, and the request was granted. A 

 sum of 20,000 kroner, or about 1100, was furthermore granted by 

 the ' Storting ' for the necessary alteration of the vessel, and so, 

 during the course of the spring, she was towed down to her old 

 builder, Colin Archer, at Larvik, who carried out the alterations in 

 the same thorough-going way in which he had originally built her. 

 Then, in the month of October, began the equipment, which was 

 entirely on the lines of that of the former expedition, though 

 naturally with the alterations and improvements which experience 

 had taught us were necessary. The equipment of a polar expedition 

 is a lengthy business ; there are a thousand things to be remem- 

 bered and done and arranged before the anchor can be weighed, 

 for when the hour comes, in order to ensure the probability of 

 a safe return and accomplished task, nothing must be wanting, 

 nothing likely to fail. Both winter and spring passed by before 

 it could be said that we were in any way ready to start. 



During this equipment period choice was made of the future 

 members of the expedition. Applications from persons wishing to 

 join us came in from all parts of the world. After careful con- 

 sideration, the following men were chosen : 



1. Victor Baumann, the second in command of the expedition. 

 He was born at Christiania in 1870, became a naval cadet in 1889, 

 and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in 1895. He had 

 also studied electricity for a period of two years at the Berlin 

 High School. 



2. Oluf Eaanes, mate on board the Tram.' He was 

 born in the Lofoden Islands, in 1865, and was for long a fisher- 

 man. Later he passed his mate's examination, and among other 



