6o FARTHEST NORTH 



must differ essentially from any other previously known 

 vessel. . . . 



" In the construction of the ship two points must be 

 especially studied: (i) that the shape of the hull be such 

 as to offer as small a vulnerable target as possible to the 

 attacks of the ice; and (2) that it be built so solidly as to 

 be able to withstand the greatest possible pressure from 

 without in any direction whatsoever." 



And thus she w^as built, more attention being paid to 

 making her a safe and warm stronghold while drifting in 

 the ice than to endowing her with speed or good sailing 

 qualities. 



As above stated, our aim was to make the ship as small 

 as possible. The reason of this was that a small ship is, 

 of course, lighter than a large one, and can be made 

 stronger in proportion to her weight. A small ship, too, 

 is better adapted for navigation among the ice ; it is 

 easier to handle her in critical moments, and to find a 

 safe berth for her between the packing ice-floes. I was 

 of opinion that a vessel of 1 70 tons register would suffice, 

 but the Frani is considerably larger, 402 tons gross and 

 307 tons net. It w^as also our aim to build a short vessel, 

 which could thread her way easily among the floes, es- 

 pecially as great length would have been a source of 

 weakness when ice-pressure set in. But in order that 

 such a ship, which has, moreover, very sloping sides, shall 

 possess the necessary carrying capacity, she must be 

 broad ; and her breadth is, in fact, about a third of her 



