Then dynamite bombs were placed in them and connected with a wire aboard the airship.
Frank pressed the electric key, and a terrific explosion followed. Tons of ice rose in the air and was hurled aside.
A literal channel was made the entire distance of two miles to the open sea. It now only remained to clear this of ice.
The crew of the Albatross cheered with delight at the prospect. The ship lay in the channel freed of ice.
But now to the gratification of every one the ice began to move out of the channel of its own accord.
The reason for this was that the Antarctic current had set to the northward and was carrying it along.
In a very few hours the channel was wholly clear.
It now only remained to get the ship out of it and into the open sea.
As there was not seaway in the channel, sail could not be made. But Frank solved the problem.
A line was carried from the ship’s bow a mile ahead and the airship was lowered and anchored firmly. Then the electric engines were set to work and one of the propellers was utilized as a drum to wind the line up on.