South
The Endurance Expedition
Chapter One
CROSSING THE SOUTH POLE
INTO THE WEDDELL SEA
I had decided to leave South Georgia about December 5, and in
the intervals of final preparation scanned again the plans for the
voyage to winter quarters. What welcome was the Weddell Sea
preparing for us? The whaling captains at South Georgia were
generously ready to share with me their knowledge of the waters
in which they pursued their trade, and, while confirming earlier
information as to the extreme severity of the ice conditions in this
sector of the Antarctic, they were able to give advice that was worth
attention.
It will be convenient to state here briefly some of the considerations
that weighed with me at that time and in the weeks that
followed. I knew that the ice had come far north that season,
and, after listening to the suggestions of the whaling captains, had
decided to steer to the South Sandwich Group, round Ultima
Thule, and work as far to the ea ... read full excerpt from South ebook
