390 SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
distance, and indeed different members of the Belgica’s 
company gave different descriptions of what they saw, 
which after all was little more than had been seen by 
Bellingshausen when he first lit upon that lonely sentinel 
of the south. 
The course was continued southwestward until on 
February 28th the ship was in 70 0 20' S., and 85° W. A 
gale was blowing against the ice from seaward and great 
gaps were torn in the edge of the pack, affording tempt- 
ing openings toward the south. Despite the serious late- 
ness of the season, and disregarding the views of the 
scientific staff who were anxious to place the results of 
their work in safety before risking the ship in unknown 
perils, Gerlache thrust the Belgica into one of the open- 
ings, and pushing his way southward with increasing 
difficulty he reached 71 0 30' S. on March 3rd. An at- 
tempt was then made to return, but it was too late. After 
advancing a few miles to the northward the ship was 
gripped fast in the pack, and for a year and a month she 
lost all power of independent movement. 
The ship was not too well prepared for wintering in 
the farthest south, but everything possible was done to 
minimise the inevitable hardships. Although the scien- 
tific staff had not been anxious to enter the ice, each 
member seized the opportunity which was thrust upon him, 
resolved to take the fullest possible advantage of the unique 
experience. The ice gradually thickened, but holes could 
easily be cut in it, and through these holes the minute crea- 
tures living in the sea-water, the plankton, were caught by 
fine tow-nets ; the depth was ascertained and observations 
of temperature were made at all depths in the water. 
It was soon apparent that although the Belgica could not 
move away from the floe that held her, the ice itself was 
