“There was the barest chance that after the return of the sun some trace of their bodies might be found, so during the spring—­that is, August and September 1916—­and in the summer—­December and January 1916- 17—­the following searches were carried out: 

“(1) Wild and I thoroughly searched Inaccessible Island at the end of August 1916.

“(2) Various parties in September searched along the shore to the vicinity of Turk’s Head.

“(3) In company with Messrs. Wild and Gaze I started from Hut Point, December 31, 1916, at 8 a.m., and a course was steered inshore as close as possible to the cliffs in order to search for any possible means of ascent.  At a distance of half a mile from Hut Point we passed a snow slope which I had already ascended in June 1916; three and a half miles farther on was another snow slope, which ended in Blue Ice Glacier slope, which we found impossible to climb, snow slope being formed by heavy winter snowfall.  These were the only two places accessible.  Distance on this day, 10 miles 1710 yds covered.  On January 1 search was continued round the south side of Glacier Tongue from the base towards the seaward end.  There was much heavy pressure; it was impossible to reach the summit owing to the wide crack.  Distance covered 4 miles 100 yds.  On January 2 thick weather caused party to lay up.  On 3rd, glacier was further examined, and several slopes formed by snow led to top of glacier, but crevasses between slope and the tongue prevented crossing.  The party then proceeded round the Tongue to Tent Island, which was also searched, a complete tour of the island being made.  It was decided to make for Cape Evans, as thick weather was approaching.  We arrived at 8 p.m.  Distance 8 miles 490 yds.

“I remain, etc.,

“ErnestE. Joyce.

“To Sir Ernest Shackleton, C.V.O.,
“Commander, I.T.A.E.”

In September Richards was forced to lay up at the hut owing to a strained heart, due presumably to stress of work on the sledging journeys.  Early in October a party consisting of Joyce, Gaze, and Wild spent several days at Cape Royds, where they skinned specimens.  They sledged stores back to Cape Evans in case it should be found necessary to remain there over another winter.  In September, Joyce, Gaze, and Wild went out to Spencer-Smith’s grave with a wooden cross, which they erected firmly.  Relief arrived on January 10, 1917, but it is necessary now to turn back to the events of May 1915, when the ‘Aurora’ was driven from her moorings off Cape Evans.

CHAPTER XVI

THE ‘AURORA’S’ DRIFT