A proposal had been made to send a relief ship from England, but she could not reach the southern seas for many weeks.

In the meantime I got into communication with the Governments of the South American Republics by wireless and cable and asked if they had any suitable ship I could use for a rescue.

I wanted a wooden ship capable of pushing into loose ice, with fair speed and a reasonable coal capacity.

Messages of congratulation and goodwill were reaching me from all parts of the world, and the kindness of hundreds of friends in many lands was a very real comfort in a time of anxiety and stress.
The British Admiralty informed me that no suitable vessel was available in England and that no relief could be expected before October.

I replied that October would be too late.