1910J 
ON DECK WITH THE DOGS 
9 
drums protected in stout wooden packing-cases which arc 
ranged across the deck immediately in front of the poop 
and abreast the motor sledges. The quantity is z\ tons 
and the space occupied considerable. 
Round and about these packing-cases, stretching from 
the galley forward to the wheel aft, the deck is stacked 
with coal bags forming our deck cargo of coal, now rapidly 
diminishing. 
We left Port Chalmers with 462 tons of coal on board, 
rather a greater quantity than I had hoped for, and yet 
the load mark was 3 inches above the water. The ship 
was over 2 feet by the stern, but this will soon be remedied. 
Upon the coal sacks, upon and between the motor sledges 
and upon the ice-house arc grouped the dogs, thirty-three 
in all. They must perforce be chained up and they arc 
given what shelter is afforded on deck, but their position 
is not enviable. The seas continually break on the weather 
bulwarks and scatter clouds of heavy spray over the backs 
of all who must venture into the waist of the ship. The 
dogs sit with their tails to this invading water, their 
coats wet and dripping. It is a pathetic attitude, deeply 
significant of cold and misery ; occasionally some poor 
beast emits a long pathetic whine. The group forms a 
picture of wretched dejection ; such a life is truly hard 
for these poor creatures. 
We manage somehow to find a seat for everyone at 
our cabin table, although the wardroom contains twenty- 
four officers. There are generally one or two on watch, 
which eases matters, but it is a squash. Our meals arc 
simple enough, but it is really remarkable to sec the 
