As an instance of the value of a knowledge of Antarctic weather conditions, it may be mentioned that, as the result of observations and researches carried out at the South Orkneys—­a group of sub-Antarctic islands at the entrance to the Weddell Sea—­it has been found that a cold winter in that sea is a sure precursor of a drought over the maize and cereal bearing area of Argentina three and a half years later.  To the farmers, the value of this knowledge so far in advance is enormous, and since England has some three hundred million pounds sterling invested in Argentine interests, Antarctic Expeditions have proved, and will prove, their worth even from a purely commercial point of view.

I have given just this one instance to satisfy those who question the utility of Polar Expeditions, but many more could be cited.

As soon as it was apparent that no landing could be made, and that we should have to spend a winter in the ship drifting round with the pack, instruments were set up and observations taken just as if we had been ashore.

A meteorological screen or box was erected on a platform over the stern, right away from the living quarters, and in it were placed the maximum and minimum thermometers, the recording barograph, and thermograph—­an instrument which writes every variation of the temperature and pressure on a sheet of paper on a revolving drum—­and the standard thermometer, a very carefully manufactured thermometer, with all its errors determined and tabulated.  The other thermometers were all checked from this one.  On top of the screen a Robinson’s anemometer was screwed.  This consisted of an upright rod, to the top of which were pivoted four arms free to revolve in a plane at right angles to it.  At the end of these arms hemispherical cups were screwed.  These were caught by the wind and the arms revolved at a speed varying with the force of the wind.  The speed of the wind could be read off on a dial below the arms.

In addition there was an instrument called a Dines anemometer which supplied interesting tracings of the force, duration, and direction of the wind.  There was an added advantage in the fact that the drum on which these results were recorded was comfortably housed down below, so that one could sit in a comparatively warm room and follow all the varying phases of the blizzard which was raging without.  The barometer used was of the Kew Standard pattern.  When the ship was crushed, all the monthly records were saved, but the detailed tracings, which had been packed up in the hold, were lost.  Though interesting they were not really essential.  Continuous observations were made during the long drift on the floe and while on Elephant Island the temperature was taken at midday each day as long as the thermometers lasted.  The mortality amongst these instruments, especially those which were tied to string and swung round, was very high.

A few extracts from the observations taken during 1915—­the series for that year being practically complete—­may be of interest.  January was dull and overcast, only 7 per cent. of the observations recording a clear blue sky, 71 per cent. being completely overcast.