If a collision seemed to be inevitable the officer in charge would order "slow" or "half speed" with the engines, and put the helm over so as to strike floe a glancing blow.

Then the helm would be put over towards the ice with the object of throwing the propeller clear of it, and the ship would forge ahead again.

Worsley, Wild, and I, with three officers, kept three watches while we were working through the pack, so that we had two officers on deck all the time.

The carpenter had rigged a six-foot wooden semaphore on the bridge to enable the navigating officer to give the seamen or scientists at the wheel the direction and the exact amount of helm required.

This device saved time, as well as the effort of shouting.