The Terror Read Online Free PDF Page B

John,” said Franklin. He could feel sweat running down his ribs and chest onto his portly belly. “They’re now the strongest ice ships in the world.”
    “And what is all the nonsense about steam and locomotive engines?”
    “Not nonsense, m’lord,” said Franklin and could hear the condescension in his own voice. He knew nothing about steam himself, but he had two good engineers on the expedition and Fitzjames, who was part of the new Steam Navy. “These are powerful engines, Sir John. They’ll see us through the ice where sail has failed.”
    Sir John Ross snorted. “Your steam machines aren’t even maritime engines, are they, Franklin?”
    “No, Sir John. But they’re the best steam engines the London and Greenwich Railway could sell us. Converted for marine use. Powerful beasts, sir.”
    Ross sipped his whiskey. “Powerful if you’re planning to lay down rails along the North-West Passage and take a God-damned locomotive across it.”
    Franklin chuckled good-naturedly at this, but he saw no humor in the comment and the obscenity offended him deeply. He often could not tell when others were being humorous, and he had no sense of humor himself.
    “But not really so powerful,” continued Ross. “That one-point-five-ton machine they crammed into the hold of your
Erebus
only produces twenty-five horsepower. Crozier’s engine is less efficient… twenty horsepower, maximum. The ship that’s towing you beyond Scotland —
Rattler
— produces two hundred twenty horsepower with its smaller steam engine. It’s a
marine
engine, built for sea.”
    Franklin had nothing to say to that, so he smiled. To fill the silence he signaled a passing waiter carrying glasses of champagne. Then, since it was against all his principles to drink alcohol, all he could do was stand there holding the glass, occasionally glancing at the flattening champagne, and wait for some opportunity to get rid of it without being noticed.
    “Think of all the extra provisions you could have crammed in the holds of your two ships if those damned engines weren’t there,” persisted Ross.
    Franklin looked around as if seeking rescue, but everyone was in animated conversation with someone else. “We have more than adequate stores for three years, Sir John,” he said at last. “Five to seven years if we have to go on short rations.” He smiled again, trying to charm that flinty face. “And both
Erebus
and
Terror
have central heating, Sir John. Something I’m sure you would have appreciated on your
Victory.
”
    Sir John Ross’s pale eyes gleamed coldly. “
Victory
was crushed like an egg by the ice, Franklin. Fancy steam heat wouldn’t have helped that, would it?”
    Franklin looked around, trying to catch Fitzjames’s eye. Even Crozier’s. Anyone to come to his rescue. No one seemed to notice the old Sir John and the fat Sir John huddled here in such earnest, if one-sided, conversation. A waiter passed, and Franklin set his untouched glass of champagne on his tray. Ross studied Franklin through slitted eyes.
    “And how much coal does it take just to heat one of your ships for a day up there?” pressed the old Scotsman.
    “Oh, I don’t really know, Sir John,” said Franklin with a winning smile. He really did
not
know. Nor especially care. The engineers were in charge of the steam engines and coal. The Admiralty would have planned well for them.
    “
I
know,” said Ross. “You’ll use up to one hundred fifty pounds of coal a day just to keep the hot water moving to heat the crew’s quarters. Half a
ton
of your precious coal a day just to keep steam up. If you’re under way — expect about four knots out of those ugly bombardment ships — you’ll be burning two to three
tons
of coal a day. Much more if you’re trying to force your way through pack ice. How much coal are you
carrying,
Franklin?”
    Captain Sir John waved his hand in what he realized was a dismissive — and almost effeminate — gesture. “Oh, somewhere