sheltered cove at the north end of the passage we were well situated
to commence this survey while waiting for the ice to make way
for us.

We unpacked the fathometer, ^* rigged a frame to support it on
the rail of the whaleboat, and began a series of runs down across
the bar. We soon learned it extended right across the channel with
depths of 10 and 12 feet at low tide. This meant that any freighter
entering that way must await the tide, for few would draw less
than 18 feet of water. But with a tidal range of more than 20 feet,
and well over 30 on the spring tides, we could be sure of a safe
margin at high tide. And Eggleston Bay offered a well-placed
anchorage for ships awaiting the flood.

As we lay at anchor by Pugh Island making our daily sound-
ing trips down to the bar, we settled into the routine of life aboard
the Morrissey, a routine that prevailed with only minor breaks
throughout the summer. Mealtimes on this famous schooner were
memorable occasions. The table in the main cabin was not long
enough to seat all the ship's company, and two sittings were re-
quired. All candidates for the first sitting were expected to be on
hand promptly, but one of the most inviolable of unwritten laws
was that on no account could anyone take his seat before the Cap-
tain emerged from the door of the engine room and sat down at
the head of the table.

Conversation with Captain Bob was a privilege and a pleasure.
In his notable career as explorer, matchless expert in the mastery
of polar ice floes, staunch supporter of Admiral Peary and lecturer
on his memorable voyages, he had come to know intimately many
persons of distinction and eminence. From his rich store of ex-
perience, thrilling anecdotes were told, punctuated with wise and
pithy comments on characters he had known and on life in gen-
eral. Everyone joined in and there was always a lively and stimu-
lating interchange of ideas.

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