294 SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
30th the wind fell and the two ships were moored, one 
on each side of the largest piece of floating ice, so that 
they might not drift against each other and get dam- 
aged. Twelve tons of ice hewn from the floe were 
taken on board the Erebus to replenish the water supply, 
and some of the ship’s company found it a very chilly 
cargo as it gradually melted on the deck. The magnetic 
instruments of both ships were tested on the mass of ice 
that formed a fender between them, and when the fog- 
closed thickly around them one great source of anxiety 
was removed for a collision between the two vessels was 
impossible. The mass of ice projecting beyond the ships 
fore and aft also acted as a buffer against collision with 
other bergs, while its size was not so great as to pre- 
vent some way being made in a favourable wind with 
both vessels under full sail. The crews of the ships had 
an opportunity, which they much appreciated, of ex- 
changing visits across the ice, as the Erebus and Terror 
lay about fifty yards apart the ice became a sort of play- 
ground, and a unique ball-room was excavated in it, 
adorned with statuary hewn out of ice which, in that cli- 
mate had the permanence of marble. The most ambi- 
tious effort was a seated Venus, the combined work of 
Dr. Hooker and Mr. Davis, the versatile and accomplished 
second master of the Terror. Here a great celebration 
was held to bring in the new year 1842. The refreshment 
room, equipped in true sailor fashion, was a conspicuous 
feature of the ball-room, and was furnished by tire 
bo’sun, who played the part of landlord of the Antarctic 
Hotel with a highly symbolic sign depicting Bacchus, 
Britannia, and other figures surrounding the proud title — 
“ Pilgrims of the Ocean ” on one side, and on the other, 
“ Pioneers of Science.” The arrival of the New Year 
