3i6 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



may be said at once that it was rather disappointing. From the time we left South 

 Georgia until we finally left the South Shetlands, we were in almost continual fog. 

 There were three notable exceptions. Just as we approached Elephant Island it cleared 

 splendidly, and remained so all day, an opportunity which was instantly seized, and 

 reliable positions were established by solar observations for Elephant Island and Gibbs 

 Island. The second exception was off Admiralty Bay, where some satisfactory stellar 

 observations were obtained, showing definitely that a south-westward counter-current 

 flows down the southern shores of Bransfield Strait. 



The third and perhaps most important exception occurred on arrival at Deception, 

 where the day turned out perfect (we were there only twenty-four hours). Instantly it 

 was decided to climb Mount Pond, the highest point of the island, with O'Connor and 

 Alsford, and if possible take a round of angles with a theodolite and a true bearing by 

 sun. The ascent was safely accomplished with only one incident, when O'Connor, 

 owing to the sun blinding him, failed to observe the depression in the snow caused by a 

 narrow crevasse, put his foot through, and nearly followed. He was prevented from 

 doing so by the theodolite legs which he was carrying. On arrival at the top, 1870ft. 

 by aneroid, a glorious view was obtained, and the weather being absolutely clear a 

 range of vision of over 100 miles was possible. It is believed that Mt Fran9ais in Anvers 

 Island , about 1 20 miles distant, was seen . The theodolite was set up and a very good round 

 of angles obtained, and then a couple of sets of observations for true bearing. This, 

 although by itself insufficient to determine the positions of the various objects taken, 

 when combined with other bearings will enable us to plot them. As the position of 

 Deception is now in no doubt, those of the objects sighted will thus be determined. No 

 trouble was experienced in taking these observations, except that the metal-shod legs 

 of the theodoHte, warmed by the sun, were inclined to sink in the ice, notwithstanding 

 the fact that they had been provided with flat wooden shoes. 



The fog came down again next day, and although we saw the islands (Low, Snow, 

 Smith, etc.) occasionally and also managed to take some sun sights, nothing of sufficient 

 accuracy was obtained. 



We returned to South Georgia after calling at Stanley, Falkland Islands, for a few 

 days. At Stanley we again checked the variation and got some theodolite angles from 

 Sappers Hill to fix the position of the wireless telegraphy masts and some new topo- 

 graphical features. We finally arrived back at Grytviken on March 18 after a voyage 

 which might have yielded exceptionally important results had circumstances been 

 somewhat more favourable. 



We resumed the survey of Godthul where it was left off. The ' Alert ' had been slipped 

 before we sailed and during our absence the two who remained behind had given her 

 a thorough overhaul and painting. 



