238 G. Amdrup. 



They stated also, that the pack-ice was so scattered off the coast 

 there, that they could feel the swell close in to land. Near Shannon 

 Island the drift-ice had been still more spread than up there. From 

 Shannon Island to Cape Bismarck they had been sailing in floating 

 ice. They all 3 said, that they had never seen such favourable ice 

 conditions in those latitudes. 



From 72° to 75° N. lat., on the other hand, they had met much ice. 



This favourable news naturally raised the greatest satisfaction 

 onboard, though they had certainly all the time been expecting and 

 hoping for a good ice-year, having had many warnings. Thus, the 

 winter 1907 — 08 had on the whole been much milder than the winter 

 1906 — 07. On March 1st 1908 the average thickness of the ice in the 

 harbour was only about 100 cm., while at the same time of the year 

 before it had been 158 cm. The ice had also comparatively early 

 assumed the porous, brittle appearance indicating an easy breaking 

 up. And the first open cracks had been observed comparatively early. 



In spite of all this, however, they had constantly been working 

 with the possibility of a 3rd winter in view or a retreat southwards 

 along the coast. In these circumstances the dogs would be of in- 

 valuable use. It was therefore very important to keep them alive 

 and procure some good food for them. Tobias Gabrielsen and Hen- 

 drik Olsen were therefore constantly out hunting and they gradu- 

 ally succeeded in shooting so many seals and a walrus, that this object 

 had been fully achieved. 



While numerous expeditions were being carried out during the 

 spring the ship was got into order. And there were many things to 

 be done. Already in May the upper structure was taken off the ship 

 and the rigging got up again. 



The hold was gradually cleared and put in order. About 35 tons 

 of stones were taken onboard as ballast. Water was taken in. The 

 boats were taken onboard and hoisted on to the davits. 



Machinery and rigging were examined and the sails bent on. 

 Engines and boilers were tested and appeared to be in good working 

 condition. 



Lastly, everything laid up on land was taken onboard with ex- 

 ception of some provisions, coal, petroleum, clothes etc. etc., which 

 were placed in depot on land. 



One of the last things done by the Expedition before it left Dan- 

 marks Havn, was to build an enormous cairn inland with a wooden 

 cross on the top in memory of the 3 who had perished up there. In 

 the report on the Expedition sent in by Trolle to the Committee, 

 he writes the following beautiful lines. 



mittee had them printed and the letters thus multiphed had been given to every 

 ship starting for the Gretnland Sea in 1907 and 1908. Ko matter which ship they 

 met, the members of the Expedition woxdd always be sure of their post. 



