Hooke says that the
conditions are normal now. I wish for his sake that he could get
through. He is a good sportsman and keeps on trying, although, I am
convinced, he has little hope with this inadequate aerial.
"August 10.--The ship's position is lat. 70° 40? S., forty miles north
29° east of Cape Adare. The distance drifted from August 2 to 6 was
one hundred miles, and from the 6th to the 10th eighty-eight miles.
"August 12.--By observation and bearings of land we are forty-five
miles north-east of Cape Adare, in lat. 70° 42? S. This position is a
little to the eastward of the position on the 10th. The bearings as
laid off on a small scale chart of gnomonic projection are very
inaccurate, and here we are handicapped, as our chronometers have lost
all regularity. Donolly and Grade are having quite a job with the iron
platings on the rudder, but should finish the cutting to-morrow. A
jury-rudder is nearly completed. This afternoon we mixed some concrete
for the lower part, and had to use boiling water, as the water froze in
the mixing. The carpenter has made a good job of the rudder, although
he has had to construct it on the quarterdeck in low temperatures and
exposed to biting blasts.
"August 16.--We are 'backing and filling' about forty miles north-east
of Cape Adare.
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