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I had decided to send Wild along the coast in the 'Stancomb Wills' to look for a new camping-ground, and he and I discussed the details of the journey while eating our breakfast of hot seal steak and blubber. The camp I wished to find was one where the party could live for weeks or even months in safety, without danger from sea or wind in the heaviest winter gale.
Rocks studded the shallow water round the spit and the sea surged amongst them. I ordered the 'Stancomb Wills' to run on to the beach at the place that looked smoothest, and in a few moments the first boat was ashore, the men jumping out and holding her against the receding wave. Immediately I saw she was safe I ran the 'James Caird' in.
Just at dusk I had told the men on the 'Stancomb Wills' that if their boat broke away during the night and they were unable to pull against the wind, they could run for the east side of Clarence Island and await our coming there. Even though we could not land on Elephant Island, it would not do to have the third boat adrift. It was a stern night.
It was obvious she would have to go outside the pillar as she was making so much leeway, but I could not see what happened to her and I dared not pause. It was a bad time. At last, about 5 p.m., the 'James Caird' and the 'Stancomb Wills' reached comparatively calm water and we saw Wild's beach just ahead of us. I looked back vainly for the 'Dudley Docker'.
The 'James Caird' and 'Dudley Docker' had good sails and with a favourable breeze could make progress along the lane, with the rolling fields of ice on either side. The swell was heavy and spray was breaking over the ice-floes. An attempt to set a little rag of sail on the 'Stancomb Wills' resulted in serious delay.
I told him that I trusted the party to him and said good-bye to the men. Then we pushed off for the last time, and within a few minutes I was aboard the 'James Caird'. The crew of the 'Stancomb Wills' shook hands with us as the boats bumped together and offered us the last good wishes. Then, setting our jib, we cut the painter and moved away to the north-east.
I went ashore in the 'Stancomb Wills' and had a last word with Wild, who was remaining in full command, with directions as to his course of action in the event of our failure to bring relief, but I practically left the whole situation and scope of action and decision to his own judgment, secure in the knowledge that he would act wisely.
The 'James Caird' was in the lead, with the 'Stancomb Wills' next and the 'Dudley Docker' bringing up the rear. In order to make the boats more seaworthy we had left some of our shovels, picks, and dried vegetables on the floe, and for a long time we could see the abandoned stores forming a dark spot on the ice. The boats were still heavily loaded.
I will quote Worsley's own account of what happened to the 'Dudley Docker': "About midnight we lost sight of the 'James Caird' with the 'Stancomb Wills' in tow, but not long after saw the light of the 'James Caird's' compass-lamp, which Sir Ernest was flashing on their sail as a guide to us. We answered by lighting our candle under the tent and letting the light shine through.
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