86 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Dec. 



CHAPTER IV 



SOUTHWARD HO ! 



Steering to the South — Fog— Icebergs— Entering Pack-ice— Life in the 

 Pack— Nature of Pack -Slow Progress—' Watering Ship ' — Southern 

 Edge of Pack — The Ross Sea— First Sight of Victoria Land— Cape 

 Adare — Danger in the Pack — Coulman Island — Heavy Gale— Landing 

 in Lady Newnes Bay — Killing Seals— Wood Bay — Cape Washington — 

 Coasting South — Landing in Granite Harbour— A Well-sheltered 

 Spot— McMurdo Sound— Stopped by the Pack— Turning to the East. 



In fog and heavy weather, 



Through wildering sleet and snow, 



We fought the ice together, 



On a track where no ships go. — Anon. 



Christmas Day, 1901, found us on the open expanse of the 

 Southern Ocean, but after such a recent parting from our 

 friends we had none of us much heart for the festivities of the 

 season, and the day passed quietly. 



The wind held fair for our voyage, at first from the N.E., 

 but gradually shifting round to the west. At noon on the 26th 

 we were able to stop engines, and our heavily laden ship 

 plunged on towards the south under all the canvas that could 

 be spread. 



Although as a rule there are fewer gales to the south of 

 New Zealand at this time of the year than at any other, it is 

 not at all possible to rely on fine weather, and in the fact that 

 we escaped a ' blow ' whilst traversing these stormy seas we 

 had to congratulate ourselves on exceedingly good fortune. 

 The ' Discovery ' had little to fear from the worst gales when 

 in good sea trim, but at this time had we encountered a heavy 



