However, we soon joined them and were able to exchange
experiences on the beach."
Our experiences on the 'James Caird' had been similar, although we had
not been able to keep up to windward as well as the 'Dudley Docker' had
done. This was fortunate as events proved, for the 'James Caird' and
'Stancomb Wills' went to leeward of the big bight the 'Dudley Docker'
entered and from which she had to turn out with the sea astern. We
thus avoided the risk of having the 'Stancomb Wills' swamped in the
following sea. The weather was very thick in the morning. Indeed at 7
a.m. we were right under the cliffs, which plunged sheer into the sea,
before we saw them. We followed the coast towards the north, and ever
the precipitous cliffs and glacier-faces presented themselves to our
searching eyes. The sea broke heavily against these walls and a
landing would have been impossible under any conditions. We picked up
pieces of ice and sucked them eagerly. At 9 a.m. at the north-west end
of the island we saw a narrow beach at the foot of the cliffs. Outside
lay a fringe of rocks heavily beaten by the surf but with a narrow
channel showing as a break in the foaming water. I decided that we
must face the hazards of this unattractive landing-place. Two days and
nights without drink or hot food had played havoc with most of the men,
and we could not assume that any safer haven lay within our reach.
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