Page:A Wild-Goose Chase - Balmer - 1915.djvu/69

Rh exploration ship ViborkViborg [sic], at Copenhagen after completing work about Northern Greenland, seemed to be the best ship.

"Aside from matters of expense, the small ship and the small party have done the most in the Arctic recently," Margaret reminded.

The Viborg was of about seventy tons register, of the same size as the Aurora and a little larger than the Gjoa, in which Amundsen in three years accomplished the Northwest Passage. It was sloop rigged and had a gasoline auxiliary engine; the hull had been built and braced for work in ice. There were two or three of its crew who might be engaged again. Cables were sent to them and to the agents of the boat.

Margaret had copied or pasted into her book every important list of supplies and equipment that the different expeditions had taken. She went over these lists that night to see what must be ordered immediately.

"But then polar expeditions in these days have regular suppliers. You've really only got to send word to the right man and tell him where you want to go and how long you expect