SVERDRUP'S EXPEDITION (1899) 245 



pleted without serious accident. They reached the Fram 

 on 2nd July. 



On the 2nd June two expeditions left the ship. One 

 was composed of Schei the geologist, and the doctor, 

 Johan Svendsen. The other was composed of Simmons 

 the botanist and Sverdrup. Both parties travelled 

 together during the first day, and then separated. On 

 the 6th June, Sverdrup and his companion were at Fort 

 Juliana, when the other party unexpectedly arrived. The 

 doctor had taken ill while driving up the fiord. He was 

 made as comfortable as circumstances would allow. He 

 was snow-blind, and also complained of pains in his chest. 

 Sverdrup wished to take him back to the Fram, but he 

 said he would soon get well, and he preferred to stay 

 where he was. Two days afterwards the doctor was 

 much better, and helped to harness the dogs and lash 

 the loads when the rest of the party were setting out on 

 a four-days'' trip to Beitstadfiord. The doctor said he 

 would stay behind at Fort Juliana and employ his time 

 in collecting insects and in shooting. They then parted, 

 little thinking what was about to happen. On their 

 return to camp they were horrified to find the doctor 

 dead. The body was removed to the Fram, and then 

 received a seaman's funeral in Rice Strait. The doctor's 

 death was a great blow to the whole party, and some 

 of the strongest did not recover from it until months 

 afterwards. 



During July the depot at Fort Juliana was withdrawn, 

 and preparations were made to sail north. An attempt 

 was made on the 24th July, but the Fram could not get 

 beyond Pirn Island. Next day, in order to avoid the 

 pressure of the pack, the ship had to retreat to its winter 

 harbour. 



On 4th August another attempt was made to proceed 

 north. Things went well until the Fram was abreast of 





