OCEAN CAMP 
cases, we proceeded to cut a hole with large ice-chisels through 
the 3-in. planking of which it was formed. As the ship at this 
spot was under 5 ft. of water and ice, it was not an easy job. 
However, we succeeded in making the hole sufficiently large to 
allow of some few cases to come floating up. These were 
greeted with great satisfaction, and later on, as we warmed to 
our work, other cases, whose upward progress was assisted 
with a boat-hook, were greeted with either cheers or groans 
according to whether they contained farinaceous food or 
merely luxuries such as jellies. For each man by now had a 
good idea of the calorific value and nutritive and sustaining 
qualities of the various foods. It had a personal interest for 
us all. In this way we added to our scanty stock between 
two and three tons of provisions, about half of which was 
farinaceous food, such as flour and peas, of which we were so 
short. This sounds a great deal, but at one pound per day it 
would only last twenty-eight men for three months. Previous 
to this I had reduced the food allowance to nine and a half 
ounces per man per day. Now, however, it could be increased, 
and this afternoon, for the first time for ten days, we knew 
what it was to be really satisfied." 
I had the sledges packed in readiness with the special 
sledging rations in case of a sudden move, and with the other 
food, allowing also for prospective seals and penguins, I calcu- 
lated a dietary to give the utmost possible variety and yet to 
use our precious stock of flour in the most economical manner. 
All seals and penguins that appeared anywhere within the 
vicinity of the camp were killed to provide food and fuel. The 
dog-pemmican we also added to our own larder, feeding the 
dogs on the seals which we caught, after removing such portions 
as were necessary for our own needs. We were rather short 
of crockery, but small pieces of venesta-wood served admirably 
as plates for seal steaks ; stews and liqviids of all sorts were 
served in the aluminium sledging-mugs, of which each man 
had one. Later on, jelly-tins and biscuit-tin lids were pressed 
into service. 
Monotony in the meals, even considering the circumstances 
in which we found ourselves, was what I was striving to avoid, 
89 
