Captain Palmer'* s Exploratory 

 Cruise in the Hero 



The Fanning fleet of Stonington vessels did not remain here long. Whether 

 it was because some British sealers were in possession of nearby rookeries is 

 not known, but three days later (November 15, 1820) the log of the Hero 

 recorded the start of a cruise along the south shores of Livingston Island. 

 Captain Palmer's account of this cruise indicates it was not only to seek new 

 rookeries (which some historians have claimed) but also to look for a better 

 harbor for the fleet. Captain Palmer's own words verify this as the log itself 

 shows.^* He sailed the sloop between Rugged and President (Snow) islands, 

 (through Morton Strait and Hell Gates passage) , and steered east for the north 

 head of Deception Island. Running into a heavy snow storm as night fell, he 

 tacked back to the north, then east under reefed mainsail, coming up under 

 Livingston Island, or "Frezeland" as the American sealers called it. 



Several American historians claim that it was on this cruise that Captain 

 Palmer discovered the Antarctic Continent to the south, seventy miles away." 

 But his log shows that during the next twenty-four hours. Palmer explored the 

 south coast of Livingston Island, especially its southeastern shore. The largest 

 in the South Shetlands, this island was forty miles long, with a shore line low 

 on the west end but rising to great heights as the land ran to the east-northeast. 

 The shore here was indented with bays. As he explored this southern coast of 

 Livingston Island, Captain Palmer found two good harbors for sealing craft. 

 He records his explorations as follows in his log of the Hero: 



Nov. 15, 1820: 'These 24 hours commences with Thick weather Light 

 breese from N.W. at 2 p.m. clearing off [Left President Harbor] Got 

 Underway on a cruise for Deception [Island] course East for the North 

 head wind Light at N by W at 8 Being close in with the Land tacked to 

 the Northw'd Middle part Thick snow storm at 12. . . . Reffd the main- 

 sail Tacked to the Ewd at 5 made the Land stood along to the S'd 

 and E'd saw what we thought to Be a harbor Lowered Down the Boat 

 and Examined it but were Disappointed stood along to the southwd 

 saw an Opening stood in found it to be a spacious harbor with very 

 Deep water 50 to 60 fathoms got out the boat to sound found anchorage 

 about a mile from the mouth, at 1 1 we came too in fifteen fathoms off the 

 mouth of a Lagoon went on shore and got some eggs Ends with Thick 

 weather and calm." 



[28] 



