main direction of
the shallowest water is in a north-west and south-east direction, but
the number of soundings obtained was too small to give more than a
general outline. Later, we were able to add to these on the voyage
southward to relieve the Antarctic Bases.

The weather was so bad and the sea so heavy that we were unable to
obtain soundings on December 9, and, as dredging under such conditions
was out of the question, I decided to steer for the east coast of
Tasmania, where dredging might be possible under the lee of the land.
The constant gales were very disheartening, the last having continued
for four days with only short intervals of moderate weather.

On December 12 and 13, in calmer water, some thirty miles off the east
coast of Tasmania, trawlings were made successfully in one thousand
three hundred fathoms and seventy-five fathoms respectively. From the
deeper trawling were obtained a large octopus and several interesting
fish.

Just before noon on December 14 we arrived in Hobart and immediately
began preparations for the voyage to the Antarctic.

On December 24, 1912, preparations for sailing were complete. For ten
days every one connected with the 'Aurora' had been working at high
pressure, and Christmas Day, our last day ashore, was to be celebrated
as a well-earned holiday.

There was on board a good supply of coal, five hundred and twenty-one
tons, and a very heavy mail of letters and packages for the members
of the Expedition who had been isolated in the far South for more than
twelve months. We were to take thirty-five sheep on board as well as
twenty-one dogs, presented by Captain Amundsen upon his return from his
South Polar expedition. Captain James Davis, of Hobart, of long whaling
experience, was to accompany us to give an expert opinion upon such
whales as we might meet. Mr. Van Waterschoot van der Gracht, who had had
previous experience in the Antarctic, joined as marine artist, and Mr.
S. N. Jeffryes as wireless operator. With C. C. Eitel, Secretary of the
Expedition, the whole party on board numbered twenty-eight.

A very pleasant Christmas was spent ashore. The ship's company of
twenty-three men met for dinner, and we did not forget to wish a "Merry
Christmas" to our leader and his twenty-six comrades who were holding
their celebration amid the icy solitudes of Antarctica. I was glad, on
this festive occasion, to be able to congratulate officers and men on
their willing and loyal s