From the Bay of Whales to Buenos Aires.

The sea party consisted of the following ten men Thorvald Nilsen, L. Hansen, H. Kristensen and J. Nodtvedt; H. F. Gjertsen, A. Beck, M. Ronne, A. Kutschin and O. K. Sundbeck.  The first four formed one watch, from eight to two, and the last five the other, from two to eight.  Last, but not least, comes K. Olsen, cook.

Having made ready for sea, we let go our moorings on the Ice Barrier at 9 a.m. on February 15, 1911.  Hassel, Wisting, Bjaaland, and Stubberud came down to see us off.  As in the course of the last few days the ice had broken up right to the end of the bay, we went as far south as possible to take a sounding; the shallowest we got was 155 3/4 fathoms (285 metres).  The bay ended in a ridge of ice on the east, which was continued in a northerly direction, so that at the spot where we were stopped by the Barrier, we reached the most southerly point that a vessel can attain, so long as the Barrier remains as it is now.  Highest latitude 78deg. 41’ S. When the Terra Nova was here, her latitude and ours was 78deg. 38’ S.

The last two days before our departure had been calm, and a thick, dense sludge lay over the whole bay; so dense was it that the Fram lost her way altogether, and we had to keep going ahead and astern until we came out into a channel.  Seals by the hundred were lying on the floes, but as we had a quantity of seal’s flesh, we left them in peace for a change.

Before the Chief began the laying out of depots, I received from him the following orders: 

“To First-lieutenant Thorvald Nilsen.

With the departure of the Fram from the Ice Barrier, you will take over the command on board.  In accordance with the plan we have mutually agreed upon

“1.  You will sail direct to Buenos Aires, where the necessary repairs will be executed, provisions taken on board, and the crew completed.  When this has been done,

“2.  You will sail from Buenos Aires to carry out oceanographical observations in the South Atlantic Ocean.  It would be desirable if you could investigate the conditions between South America and Africa in two sections.  These investigations must, however, be dependent on the prevailing conditions, and on the time at your disposal.  When the time arrives you will return to Buenos Aires, where the final preparations will be made for

“3.  Your departure for the Ice Barrier to take off the shore party.  The sooner you can make your way in to the Barrier in 1912, the better.  I mention no time, as everything depends on circumstances, and I leave it to you to act according to your judgment.

“In all else that concerns the interests of the Expedition, I leave you entire freedom of action.

“If on your return to the Barrier you should find that I am prevented by illness or death from taking over the leadership of the Expedition, I place this in your hands, and beg you most earnestly to endeavour to carry out the original plan of the Expedition —­ the exploration of the North Polar basin.