The Chilian
Government lent us a small steamer, the 'Yelcho', to tow us part of the
way. She could not touch ice, though, as she was built of steel.
However, on July 12 we passed her our tow-rope and proceeded on our
way. In bad weather we anchored next day, and although the wind
increased to a gale I could delay no longer, so we hove up anchor in
the early morning of the 14th. The strain on the tow-rope was too
great. With the crack of a gun the rope broke. Next day the gale
continued, and I will quote from the log of the 'Emma', which Worsley
kept as navigating officer.
"9 a.m.--Fresh, increasing gale; very rough, lumpy sea. 10 a.m.--Tow-
rope parted. 12 noon. Similar weather. 1 p.m.--Tow-rope parted again.
Set foresail and forestay-sail and steered south-east by south. 3 p.m.--
'Yelcho' hailed us and said that the ship's bilges were full of water
(so were our decks) and they were short of coal. Sir Ernest told them
that they could return to harbour. After this the 'Yelcho' steamed into
San Sebastian Bay."
After three days of continuous bad weather we were left alone to
attempt once more to rescue the twenty-two men on Elephant Island, for
whom by this time I entertained very grave fears.
At dawn of Friday, July 21, we were within a hundred miles of the
island, and we encountered the ice in the half-light.
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