Ilatsiak - 6

Those new to sailing found the trip up the coast a difficult ride. The weather was squally and nasty for the most part and the two ships were forced to beat into the wind much of the way. Franklin finally gave orders to stand in towards Aberdeen, Scotland and here they anchored off shore to wait for the weather to change.
David took the opportunity to fix up his tiny cabin by doing a little of his own carpentry. He had discovered that a nasty, cold draft came down the companionway from the open hatch above and that by hanging a heavy blanket across the entrance he was able to stop the worst of it. His main duty of the day was to be on hand to assist Sir John and also Lt. James Fairholme. Sir John was most anxious that David see to it that his meals were served promptly and on time. Sir John dined with a rotation of three of his officers every day and then on Sunday, all the officers would dine together with him aft in the main cabin. These dinners were semi-formal affairs where Sir John got to know his officers and they him in turn. It was obvious to David as he moved among them serving drinks and then dinner itself, that the voyage was to bode well. The officers were quickly developing a certain cameradery and he several times heard them mention how they appreciated Sir John’s ability to quickly and efficiently make decisions and how he fully took into account their comfort and the well-being of all aboard. Only on one occasion did he overhear a comment about Capt Crozier of the Terror being upset with Sir John’s ability to command the expedition. It seemed that Cozier was of the opinion that Sir John was too old and had been too long out of the “new Arctic” as he put it where things were done much differently than had been done in the 1820’s when Franklin had last made a voyage into these regions.
However when David looked over at Sir John and watched his animated talk he seemed even younger now that he had been just a few days previously. When he mentioned this to Lt. Fairholme he commented back that Sir John was indeed a new man and that no one need be concerned with his being nearly 60 years of age!
After remaining off Aberdeen for a few days, the ships weighed anchored and under steam motored along towards the Orkneys in conditions of dead calm. Several people had been put ashore in Aberdeen as they had taken advantage of the trip up the coast and David had been able to assist in getting them ashore. He had sailed here several years ago with Fergus and was hoping to get a look around again, but orders to sail had been given and he was obliged to return to the Erebus immediately upon seeing his charges ashore.
This was the first real chance most of the officers and men aboard had to see what the newly installed engines were capable off doing. It was definitely impressive to see the bows cut through the calm water so cleanly. Just sitting in the bows looking at the cut-water, David could see the arctic ice being cast aside as they sliced their way quickly through the Northwest Passage. It was a dream that more and more of the men on board could clearly see happening.