1904] TROUBLE WITH PUMPS 277 



' It was 5 p.m. before we could clear the pack by standing 

 close along the southern shore, where we saw quantities of 

 skuas, and one small Adelie penguin rookery, showing again 

 how these birds take advantage of every available landing 

 place. On arriving in the open water, Armitage swung the 

 ship, but before he could complete his task the sun dis- 

 appeared. At seven we steamed out of the bay, meeting a 

 heavy swell from the south-east, which is causing us to roll 

 heavily. I trust this does not mean a gale, as we are by no 

 means prepared to meet one yet.' 



1 February 22. — Last night we had an exceedingly unpleasant 

 experience, with some hours of serious alarm. I suppose such 

 things must be expected to happen under the circumstances, 

 but I shall be extremely glad when we have settled down into 

 sea trim. As far as I was concerned the trouble began at 

 1 a.m., when Skelton called me and asked permission to stop 

 the engines, as the pumps had refused duty, and the water was 

 gaining on the ship. When we stopped, the ship dropped 

 broadside on the swell and commenced to roll 30 each way. 

 This was not a pleasing condition under which to contend with 

 any difficulty, much less with such a one as now faced us, for 

 on looking down into the engine-room I found that the water 

 had risen well over the stokehold plates, and with the rolling 

 of the ship, it was washing to and fro with tremendous force. 

 It was evident that the fires in the main boilers would soon be 

 swamped ; so to avoid accidents they were drawn, which of 

 course put the steam pump out of action, even if it had been 

 in working order. 



'The next thing was to try the hand pumps, and the 

 carpenter with the deck watch was soon heaving at these, but 

 without any result. Examination showed that they were quite 

 choked up with ice, so the next hour or two was spent in 

 attempts to clear them. Meanwhile the water was obviously 

 gaining, though to this moment we have failed to discover 

 exactly why, as there is no serious leak to our knowledge. At 

 3 a.m. it was suggested that the small boiler under the fore- 

 castle should be lighted, and an attempt be made to work the 



