i 9 o 3 ] THE SAWING CAMP 229 



that it would be about the same as in the previous year, when 

 the open water had extended to the Dellbridge Islets, about 

 eleven miles from the ship. I directed, therefore, that the 

 camp should be made behind these islets, so that there might 

 be no chance of its being swept away. I had hoped to be 

 back in time to commence the operations myself, but the 

 breakdown of my sledges had made this impossible, and in 

 my absence the command devolved on Armitage. He made 

 all preparations in accordance with my instructions, but was 

 then met with a difficulty, for when the middle of December 

 came the open water, instead of being up to the islets, ended 

 at least ten miles farther to the north. In these circumstances 

 he thought it dangerous to take the camp out to the ice-edge, 

 and decided to pitch it behind the islets as had been previously 

 arranged. But this, of course, meant that the sawing work had 

 to be commenced in the middle of the ice-sheet instead of 

 at its edge, with the result that I shall presently describe. 



When I arrived at the camp the greater number of our 

 people had been at work for ten days ; the work and the 

 camp life had fallen into a regular routine, so that I was 

 able to judge at once of past results and future prospects. 

 Life at this sawing camp was led under such curious condi- 

 tions that it deserves some description. The main tent was 

 a very palatial abode judged by our standards of sledging life. 

 It was of long pent-roof shape, the dimensions being about 

 50 feet long and 18 feet across, and it had a door with a 

 small lobby at each end. The interior was divided into two 

 compartments by a canvas screen; the smaller, about 18 feet 

 in length, was for the officers, whilst the larger accommo- 

 dated the men. Close to this screen in the men's quarters 

 stood a small cooking-range mounted on boards. The floor 

 of both spaces was covered with tarpaulin as far as possible, 

 and as time went on imposing tables and stools were manufac- 

 tured from packing-cases. All the fur sleeping-bags were in 

 use, but as these were not sufficient for all hands, some slept 

 between blankets. However, this was no hardship, as very 

 little covering was needed and nearly everyone complained of 



