" The wind was increasing to a moderate
south-easterly gale and no advance could be made, so we were able to
settle down to the enjoyments of the evening.
The weather was still bad on December 26 and 27, and the 'Endurance'
remained anchored to a floe. The noon position on the 26th was lat.
65° 43? S., long. 17° 36? W. We made another sounding on this day with
the Lucas machine and found bottom at 2819 fathoms. The specimen
brought up was a terrigenous blue mud (glacial deposit) with some
radiolaria. Every one took turns at the work of heaving in, two men
working together in ten-minute spells.
Sunday, December 27, was a quiet day aboard. The southerly gale was
blowing the snow in clouds off the floe and the temperature had fallen
to 23° Fahr. The dogs were having an uncomfortable time in their deck
quarters. The wind had moderated by the following morning, but it was
squally with snow-flurries, and I did not order a start till 11 p.m.
The pack was still close, but the ice was softer and more easily
broken. During the pause the carpenter had rigged a small stage over
the stern. A man was stationed there to watch the propeller and
prevent it striking heavy ice, and the arrangement proved very
valuable. It saved the rudder as well as the propeller from many blows.
The high winds that had prevailed for four and a half days gave way to
a gentle southerly breeze in the evening of December 29.
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