TAKING SOUNDINGS IN KANE BASIN
On the morning of the 18th the ice in which we were imprisoned began to set into the bay again, doubtless owing to pressure from the northward. This motion continued throughout the day, and, toward midnight the Roosevelt was subjected to severe pressure which forced her up on to the heavy floe to which we were moored, twisted her stern-post over to the port side, and for a time threatened to tear another blade from her propeller. We were now in the centre of the Bay about six miles inside of Cape Baird, and opposite the western entrance of Discovery Harbour. Motion continued during the 19th, and at night the Roosevelt was again subjected to pressures, which increased the leak and it was necessary to keep the pumps going continually. In this new position we remained motionless until the 24th. During this time the hunting parties to the shore were continued, obtaining more hare, two additional square flipper seals, one common seal, and nine musk-oxen. Eight families of the Eskimos also, who believed that the Roosevelt would not get south this season, went ashore with all their belongings in order to begin hunting for their winter food supply as soon as possible. I was not at all sorry to have them go and fitted them out with guns and ammunition, for if we did get away they and their families would be so many less to look out for during the southern voyage, and if we did not, their work ashore would count toward the winter supplies of the entire party.
I confess that, though not admitting it, I was myself doubtful as to our escape as the days wore along. The Alert and Discovery got away from Discovery Harbour August 20th, and the Proteus on the 26th and they were much nearer to possible avenues of escape than we, located as we were in the depths of the bay. The weather and our surroundings also reminded me altogether too strongly of our experience at Cape D’Urville in 1898.
The outlook for our escape became so doubtful that I made plans for another year’s enforced delay, the programme contemplating the scouting of the entire region from Cape Desfosse to Lincoln Bay, and west through the drainage basin of Lake Hazen, by several hunting parties working simultaneously; and the establishment of colonies at Conger, Lake Hazen, and the head of Archer Fiord.
About noon of the 24th the ice slackened a trifle, and we were able to work about three miles toward Cape Baird, then the ice and the fog both shut down on us. After this we drifted eastward very slowly until midnight, remained motionless during the 25th, and on the 26th lost it all and settled back into the bay again. At 4 A. M. of the 27th, a very light air out of Lady Franklin Bay began to drift us almost imperceptibly eastward. At 5:30 the ice slackened slightly, and we began to hammer our way eastward for freedom and the water under the Greenland shore. At first progress was fearfully slow, but improved later and we worked across toward Cape Tyson, then rounding an enormous floe were able to work down along its eastern side and squeeze between it and Joe Island.
Whatever else might be in store for us there was no longer any danger that we would be pocketed in Lady Franklin Bay for another year, or that we would be smashed against the savage cliffs that line the shore of Daly Peninsula from Cape Lieber to Cape Desfosse. From this time the Roosevelt made very satisfactory progress until 6 A. M. of the 29th when she was stopped by impenetrable ice south and east of Hayes Point.
BRINGING THE BEAR TO THE SHIP
SITTING FOR HIS PHOTOGRAPH, WITH KOOLOOTINGWAH, PEWAHTOO, AND TEDDYLINGWAH
POLAR BEAR KILLED IN KANE BASIN