We carried the stores and gear above high-water mark and threw out the bags of sand and the boulders that we knew so well.

Then we attempted to pull the empty boat up the beach, and discovered by this effort how weak we had become.

Our united strength was not sufficient to get the 'James Caird' clear of the water.

Time after time we pulled together, but without avail.

I saw that it would be necessary to have food and rest before we beached the boat.