[5] As it proved later, we were, in reality, about 6° farther east than we thought.
[6] I called my watch thus after Johannsen, the watchmaker in London who supplied it.
[7] In reality we were somewhat near the point I here assume (we were in 67° E., approximately). The reason why we did not see the land here mentioned was because it does not exist, as was proved later.
[8] A proper hauling harness is an important item, and in the long run is much less trying than the ordinary hauling strap or rope crosswise over the chest and one shoulder. The form of harness I use consists of two straps, which are passed over both shoulders, like the straps of a knap-sack, and are fastened crosswise over the back to a leather belt, where the hauling-rope from the sledge is also attached. It is thus in one’s power during the work of hauling to distribute the strain equally between both shoulders and the belt (i.e., the thighs and abdomen). The hauling “centre of gravity” is in this manner lower in the body, just above the legs, which do the work, and the hauling-rope does not, as is usually the case, press only on the upper part of the body.
[9] Certain straps which are fixed on the kayak, just in front of the occupant, and through which the paddle is passed when shooting, etc. The blade thus lying laterally on the water very much increases the steadiness of the occupants.
[10] Compare, however, what I say on this subject later—i.e., July 24th.
[11] This was taken in case it might be wanted for soldering the cooking apparatus or the German-silver plates under the sledge-runners.
[12] We eventually decided to retain this, however.
[13] The vessel we expected to catch in Spitzbergen.