The floe occupied by the camp was still subject to
pressure, and I thought it wise to move to a larger and apparently
stronger floe about 200 yds. away, off the starboard bow of the ship.
This camp was to become known as Dump Camp, owing to the amount of
stuff that was thrown away there. We could not afford to carry
unnecessary gear, and a drastic sorting of equipment took place. I
decided to issue a complete new set of Burberrys and underclothing to
each man, and also a supply of new socks. The camp was transferred to
the larger floe quickly, and I began there to direct the preparations
for the long journey across the floes to Paulet Island or Snow Hill.
Hurley meanwhile had rigged his kinematograph-camera and was getting
pictures of the 'Endurance' in her death-throes. While he was engaged
thus, the ice, driving against the standing rigging and the fore-, main-
and mizzen-masts, snapped the shrouds. The foretop and topgallant-mast
came down with a run and hung in wreckage on the fore-mast, with the
fore-yard vertical. The main-mast followed immediately, snapping off
about 10 ft. above the main deck. The crow's-nest fell within 10 ft.
of where Hurley stood turning the handle of his camera, but he did not
stop the machine, and so secured a unique, though sad, picture.
The issue of clothing was quickly accomplished.
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