Report on the Danmark expedition to the north-east coast. 71 



B. The period between the arrival at Danmarks Havn until 

 the great sledge-journey northwards in the spring of 1907. 



The winter quarters of the "Danmark", 



See Plan III. 



On August 17th at 9 p. m. the "Danmark", as mentioned above, 

 anchored in Danmarks Havn only about 100 meters from land in 

 7 fm. water. Both bower anchors were set out and a chain mooring 

 was led from aft to land and shackled to the ship's heavy kedge, which 

 had been buried first of all and supported by planks and stones. The 

 ship thus lay with the stem almost due south. The distance from 

 the stern to land was only about 60 meters. The ship lay off a small 

 point between two rivers, one of which especially appeared to have 

 plenty of water in the early summer. This justified the assumption, 

 that the ice early in spring would break up round the vessel and leave 

 the harbour free. The low land between the two rivers was excel- 

 lently suited for the houses, sheds, observatories etc., and for storing 

 all the goods to be landed — work which occupied most of the atten- 

 tion of those onboard in the time that followed. 



Mylius-Erichsen thus saw clearly, that if he could only get 

 most of the goods on land and all the dogs remained in good condi- 

 tion, he would be able to achieve the end aimed at, even though the 

 ship, against expectation, should be lost in the course of the winter. 



On August 17th Mylius-Erichsen wrote as follows to Trolle. 



"The first and most important aim of the Expedition — to bring 

 our vessel and stores to the northernmost base mentioned in the plans 

 — has been achieved. The second, most important aim is to ensure 

 the safety of both, at the same time that the cartographers and na- 

 turalists are making the best use, by work away from the ship, of 

 the few summer days still left after our late arrival. With the stores 

 landed in good time, all the aims of the Expedition can be achieved, 

 even if the ship is lost now or later. Without the ship we can move 

 from here, when our work is done, by journeying south with sledges 

 and boats via the depots to Angmagsalik; if the stores are not landed, 

 we can do nothing if the ship should be lost. But to keep the dogs 

 alive, is just as important as bringing the stores in safety on land. 



If we cannot obtain fresh meat for the dogs, about half of our 

 ca. 100 dogs must be killed in the course of the dark period, as I cannot 

 venture to use much more of the already greatly reduced quantity 

 of dog food except on the sledge journeys. And from what I have 

 seen to-day, partly the situation of the ice, partly the land — the 

 extent not investigated behind the ice — I know, that our only chance 



