OFF CAPE EVANS 
379 
steam over towards Granite Harbour or Cape Evans to 
look ; for often it appeared as if the ice in the strait was 
really breaking up, but every time in reality it was found 
that only comparatively little had gone out. 
The time, however, was not wasted : whenever in a 
workable depth, with steam up, Lillie had his trawl out 
and so got six or seven trawls. Rennick got a number of 
soundings, though of necessity not in any particular line, 
and there were several opportunities for swinging ship and 
observing variation on fast ice, while an interesting series 
of Giant Petrels was obtained, ranging from white to the 
comparatively dark varieties. 
Mather, who had taken great trouble in New Zealand 
to perfect his taxidermy, skinned all the ship's, specimens. 
At last, on February 4, the ship was secured alongside 
fast ice off Cape Barne. Atkinson came off with a dog 
team and reported all well, and was shortly followed by 
Meares and Simpson. They informed us that the ice 
was bad between the ship and shore, and consequently 
did not stay long, but took the mails with them when 
they left. 
During the next two days two miles of ice went out 
Feb. 6-14, ^ ^^^^ watch of the 6th the 
1912. OtJ ship was at last secured alongside fast ice, with 
Cape Evans. - , 
sale ice between her and Cape Evans. 
The dogs went ashore at once, the mules were hoisted 
out early the next morning and soon were safely ashore, 
after being on board fifty-four days. It says much for 
Dennistoun's care of them that they landed in such good 
condition. 
