160 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Feb. 



which consisted mainly in erecting the various huts which we 

 had brought with us in pieces. The main hut had been 

 brought from Australia, and was, in fact, a fairly spacious 

 bungalow of a design used by the outlying settlers in that 

 country. The floor occupied a space of about thirty-six feet 

 square, but the over-hanging eaves of the pyramidal roof rested 

 on supports some four feet beyond the sides, surrounding the 

 hut with a covered verandah. The interior space was curtailed 

 by the complete double lining, and numerous partitions were 

 provided to suit the requirements of the occupants. But of 

 these partitions only one was erected, to cut off a small portion 

 of one side, and the larger part which remained formed a 

 really spacious apartment. 



It had been originally intended that the ' Discovery ' should 

 not attempt to winter in the Antarctic, but should land a small 

 party and turn northward before the season closed ; the hut 

 had been provided for this party and carried south under the 

 impression that circumstances might yet force the adoption of 

 such a plan. Having discovered a spot in which we felt con- 

 fident the ' Discovery ' could winter with safety, the living-hut 

 was no longer of vital importance ; but, even retaining the 

 ship as a home, there were still many useful purposes to which 

 a large hut might be adapted. It was obvious that some sort 

 of shelter must be made on shore before exploring parties 

 could be sent away with safety, as we felt that at any time a 

 heavy gale might drive the ship off her station for several days, 

 if not altogether. With the hut erected and provisioned, there 

 need be no anxiety for a detached party in such circumstances. 

 Later on, too, we hoped that the large room would come in 

 useful as a workshop or as a playroom, or for any purpose 

 which might tend to relieve the congestion of the ship. 



We found, however, that its erection was no light task, as 

 all the main and verandah supports were designed to be sunk 

 three or four feet in the ground. We soon found a convenient 

 site close to the ship on a small bare plateau of volcanic 

 rubble, but an inch or two below the surface the soil was 

 frozen hard, and many an hour was spent with pick, shovel, 



