As already noted, great draft is a disadvantage in the region under consideration, and every increase in beam makes impassable leads which otherwise would be available, and greatly increases the power required and the difficulties of pushing a way through loose ice. The English _Discovery_ was built, as was to be expected, on the lines of the Scotch whalers, with a little broader beam. Her ratio is 1 to 5.27. Her draft is a little less than that of the whalers. She was not specially modelled to rise under pressure, but was specially constructed (as the _Fram_ and _Gauss_ were not) for ramming a way through opposing ice. The model selected for the _Roosevelt_ was intended to meet the requirements of lifting under pressure, of being short enough to handle easily, and of being able to ram a passage through heavy ice effectively and continuously. Detailed features of these requirements are as follows: For lifting under pressure, steel-sheathed sides, sloping bilges, flat floor to prevent heeling when lifted, flush stem and keel, raking stem, raking stern (this a new feature). For forcing a way through loose ice: sharp wedge bow, and full counter to keep ice from propeller. For ramming ice: a sharply raking stem, steel-sheathed. From this general description, it will be understood that while the hull model contained the best features of preceding ships, it was not a departure from ordinary models, like the _Fram_ and _Gauss_, but rather a modification of them to meet special requirements. When the question of power was approached, there was a radical departure, in fact a complete reversal of previous practice in Arctic ships, and the adoption of ordinary commercial practice. Hitherto Arctic ships have had full sail power (full-rigged bark being the favourite rig) and auxiliary engines, often of surprisingly puny power. The object of this has been economy of coal, and the consequent ability of the ship to cover long distances at slow speed, and remain away from home for a period of years. The _Roosevelt_ is a powerful steamer, with all the engine force she could contain, and with only moderate sail area. There is no question in my mind but that this is the correct principle upon which to build a modern Arctic ship for effective results. The Smith Sound or “American” route is especially advantageous for this method, presenting a coasting voyage, facilities for placing coal depots, the key of the route condensed in a few hundred miles of heavy ice navigation, and the possibility of even obtaining coal _in situ_ along the route.