Part 11 (1/2)

The following gives the ice movements in the Sound in more detail:

March 24.-25. Ice forming and opening with leads.

” 26. Sea clear.

” 27. Strait apparently freezing.

” 28 (early). Ice over whole Sound.

” 29. All Ice gone.

” 30. Freezing over.

April 1. Ice out, etc.

This sort of thing continued till May, with lengthening intervals, but never more than three days of frozen sea.

The dates of freezing over in 1902 were approximately the same, except that the Sound continued to open beyond the Glacier Tongue throughout the winter.

In 1903 the Bays did not break out, but the Sound was freezing and opening in March and April as in the other years. I think it is certain that the old ice lately broken as well as all the broken young ice drifts to the west, and that a s.h.i.+p on the western side of the Sound would be pretty certainly entangled at this season of the year.

I think it more than probable that you will find all the old ice broken out when you return from the north, and the Bay south of Cape Armitage completely open.

If so, this seems to me to be a good place for you to wait, moored to the edge of the Barrier, if possible. Young ice will constantly form about you, but I do not think you need fear its detaining you until after the third week in March. I am afraid it may be very cold and unpleasant waiting in such a situation, and possibly better and safer conditions for the s.h.i.+p can be found farther to the west and nearer to the decayed Glacier ice south of Black Island.

Moored here the s.h.i.+p would have a clear sea to leeward, whereas in the Bay beyond Cape Armitage she might have a lee sh.o.r.e. You will know best how to make a good permanent ice anchor.

There are shoals off Cape Armitage which may extend for one or even two miles, and careful navigation is needed in this immediate vicinity. The shoals off Hut Point and the west side of the Peninsula do not extend more than a s.h.i.+p's length from the sh.o.r.e. Otherwise, except inside the Islands, I believe the Sound to be free from such dangers.

In case you choose to wait in a spot somewhat remote from Hut Point I am arranging to attract your attention in the following manner:--Very's lights will be discharged and as large a flare as possible will be burnt at Hut Point at midnight or noon (you will remember we are keeping time for 180th meridian).

As large a flag as possible will be displayed on the skyline of the heights near by, and attempts to heliograph with a looking-gla.s.s will be made.

With a keen lookout for such signals you need not frequently approach the Hut.

In the above I have referred to the young ice in the Sound only; there is no means of knowing what is happening farther north, but I am of opinion that as long as the ”Terra Nova” is free to move in the Southern Bays, she will have no great difficulty in leaving the Ross Sea.

You will understand that the foregoing remarks are intended as helpful suggestions and that I do not wish them to interfere with your judgment of the situation as it stands; above all, I would not have them to prompt you to take a risk in detaining the s.h.i.+p beyond the time which you think proper for her departure. I fully realise that at this critical time, when gales are very frequent, your position will be beset with difficulties, and I much regret that it is necessary to ask you to undertake such an uncomfortable service.

Apart from, but concurrently with, the services which have been discussed, I know that you will be anxious to help forward the scientific objects of the Expedition. Having regard to your interests in such matters, they also are left mainly to your judgment, and I wish only to specify some lines on which any soundings taken would be especially important.

These seem to be:

1. In the s.p.a.ce occupied by the old Glacier Tongue (some two miles of the Tongue was broken off last summer).

2. Across the Sound in one or two places to give a section of the bottom elevations.

3. Across any fiords on the coast such as the Ferrar Glacier Inlet.

4. Off the end of ice tongues or the edge of ice walls.

5. Off the old pinnacled ice north of Black Island.

6. From a boat near the Barne Glacier.

7. From a boat around grounded bergs.

I have now to mention various matters of lesser importance to which I should like attention given if time and circ.u.mstances permit.