AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EXPEDITION ([874) 109 



infused new life into the whole expedition. The new land 

 received its name from that of the Austrian Emperor, and 

 was christened Kaiser Franz-Josefs Land. By the end of 

 September the Tegetihoff had drifted to 79° 58', which was 

 the highest latitude it attained. An attempt was now 

 made to reach the land, but a fog compelled the party 

 to return to the ship. 



At the beginning of November the ship had drifted to 

 a point not far from land, and a second attempt to reach 

 it proved successful. The sun, however, had now dis- 

 appeared, and the twilight did not enable them to make 

 any extended exploration. There was also a danger of 

 the ship drifting away. 



The second winter passed much more pleasantly than 

 the first. The ice pressures were not very severe, and the 

 crew had become much more accustomed to them. The 

 exploration of the new land which was to take place in 

 the spring of 1874 gave food for much speculation, and 

 tended to relieve the monotony. 



In February 1874, Payer, as commander of the expedi- 

 tion on shore, held a council to whom he explained his 

 plan for the projected sledge-journeys. As there was a 

 possibility of the ship drifting away from the land, it was 

 decided that provisions for three months should be 

 deposited on land, and that in the event of the sledge- 

 party being cut off' from the ship they should attempt to 

 reach Europe. The sledge-expeditions were to begin in 

 March and be continued for six or seven weeks. It was 

 also agreed that after the termination of the sledge- 

 expeditions the Tegetthoff should be abandoned, and that 

 the whole expedition should attempt to reach Europe in 

 their boats. 



The greatest activity now reigned in the ship, in order 

 to be prepared for the sledge-journey. Some of the crew 

 had suffered from scurvy, but with the exception of the 



