The ballast consisted of bags made
from blankets and filled with sand, making a total weight of about 1000
lbs. In addition we had gathered a number of round boulders and about
250 lbs. of ice, which would supplement our two casks of water.
The stores taken in the 'James Caird', which would last six men for
one month, were as follows:
30 boxes of matches.
6? gallons paraffin.
1 tin methylated spirit.
10 boxes of flamers.
1 box of blue lights.
2 Primus stoves with spare parts and prickers.
1 Nansen aluminium cooker.
6 sleeping-bags.
A few spare socks.
A few candles and some blubber-oil in an oil-bag.
Food:
3 cases sledging rations = 300 rations.
2 cases nut food = 200 "
2 cases biscuits = 600 biscuits.
1 case lump sugar.
30 packets of Trumilk.
1 tin. of Bovril cubes.
1 tin of Cerebos salt.
36 gallons of water.
250 lbs. of ice.
Instruments:
Sextant.
Sea-anchor.
Binoculars.
Charts.
Prismatic compass.
Aneroid.
The swell was slight when the 'Stancomb Wills' was launched and the
boat got under way without any difficulty; but half an hour later, when
we were pulling down the 'James Caird', the swell increased suddenly.
Apparently the movement of the ice outside had made an opening and
allowed the sea to run in without being blanketed by the line of pack.
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