ourne),
and the Lithgow Collieries Company.
APPENDIX VII
Equipment
Clothing
With regard to the clothing, the main bulk was of woollen material
as supplied by Jaeger of London. This firm is unexcelled in the
production of camel's-hair garments and has supplied most polar
expeditions of recent years with underclothing, gloves, caps, and
the like. From the same firm we also secured heavy ski-boots,
finnesko-crampons, and the blankets which were used at Winter Quarters
at both Antarctic Bases. Some of the Jaeger woollens were damaged
by sea water on the voyage from London to Australia and were replaced
by Eagley goods; an Australian brand, which proved very satisfactory.
The Ship's Party were outfitted with Kaipoi woollens (New Zealand).
Outer garments were made up to our design from Jaeger fleece by
tailors in Hobart. The suit consisted of a single garment, to be worn
with combination underclothing, and was calculated to meet the
requirements of a severe climate.
An over-suit of wind-proof material, which may be worn when required,
is a necessary adjunct to woollen clothing. Such a suit should have
the additional properties of being light, strong, not readily
absorbing moisture, and not affected by the cold. Burberry
gabardine was found to possess all these properties, and two complete
suits were made up for each man. One suit consisted of three pieces,
whilst the other was made of two; the blouse-jacket and helmet of the
latter being combined.
Furs, which were obtained from Norway, were restricted to sleeping
bags, finnesko or fur-boots, and wolfskin mitts (Lapland).
The outfit of clothing for the party at Macquarie Island and on the
Ship, respectively, differed from that used in the Antarctic. Warmer
temperatures and wet conditions had to be taken into account, and so
rubber boots, oilskins, and rubberized materials were provided as
outer coverings.
Food
The food-stuffs were selected with at least as much consideration as
was given to any of the other requisites. The successful work of an
expedition depends on the health of the men who form its members, and
good and suitable food reduces to a minimum the danger of scurvy; a
scourge which has marred many polar enterprises. Thus our
provisioning was arranged with care and as a result of my previous
experience in the Antarctic with Sir Ernest Shackleton's Expedition.
A summary which may be of pos
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