1902] IN McMURDO SOUND 153 



open water, and could clearly see the high mountains on each 

 side, we could not see more than a very limited portion of the 

 extensive surface of the Sound, nor tell when we might again 

 find ourselves obstructed by masses of pack-ice. 



On January 21 we had been foiled in an attempt to follow 

 closely the coast of Victoria Land to the south of Granite 

 Harbour, and especially we had been unable to examine a spot 

 where the configuration of the rocky cliffs gave promise of 

 a second and more southerly harbour for our wintering. 



We now headed directly for this spot, and my diary records 

 the proceedings of the day as follows : 



' . . . On this occasion we got within eight miles before 

 meeting with the same slabs of pack-ice which caused us so 

 much trouble before. On closer approach, the deep valley 

 between the bluff headlands turned out to be partially filled 

 with an immense glacier, and at first sight it appeared as 

 though very little shelter could be hoped for. Later, how- 

 ever, as we skirted the pack towards the south, we found that 

 a long ice-tongue projected partly across the entrance, and 

 undoubtedly good shelter could be found behind this. . . . 

 But now, the ice being so free to the S.E,, we pushed on in 

 that direction, seizing the opportunity of examining the bay, 

 and hoping to find quarters still further to the south. 

 Gradually the sky cleared, and shortly after noon the sun 

 shone forth and the clouds rolled away from the hills, leaving 

 us in possession of a magnificent scene. To the left was 

 Erebus puffing forth light clouds of vapour, and, slowly 

 opening to the south of it, the clear outline of Terror. 

 The slopes of Erebus ran gradually down into the bay, 

 almost completely snow-covered, but here and there an 

 ink-black rock jutted into the sea and gave definition to 

 the hazy coastline. The very high mountain which had 

 been so conspicuous behind our harbour now passed to the 

 left of it, and extended itself into a range exhibiting three 

 magnificent peaks. . . . Some thirty degrees from this our 

 former cone mountain ' (afterwards Mount Discovery) ' stood 

 out, impressively isolated; many declared it to be also an 



