The Golden Leviathan

At first the air grew no colder, despite the changing latitude. But, after several days, as they travelled deeper into the Arctic, the temperature dropped alarmingly. On two occasions, men had to shimmy out to chip away the ice from the struts supporting the engine nacelles and the main gondola as the increasing weight threatened to drag them down to the icy surface.

It was the week which included the full moon and, unable to sleep, Ursula spent the nights alongside the First Mate at the wheel, watching the ice sparkling in the cold light as it was left behind. She searched for bears or whales or for any sign of her father’s expedition.