HOMEWARD BOUND. 89 



setting S. 40° E. Barometer at midnight 29.48, tem- 

 perature 47°. 



December 7, Stiff to fresh breeze from W.N.W. to 

 W.S.W., squally in the afternoon, wind increasing to 

 moderate gale. Misty, with occasional drizzling rain. 

 Moderate sea from northward and westward, with occa- 

 sional heavy swell from S.W. Barometer falling all 

 day. At 5.50 a.m. took in sail, then sounded in 1997 

 fathoms, lat. 50° 30' S., long. 107° 36' W. ; yellow sand, 

 broken shells. At 7.30 a.m. made sail, uncoupled, 

 banked fires. At 6.15 p.m. shortened and furled sail, 

 then sounded in 2197 fathoms, lat. 50° 35' S., long. 105° 

 51' W.; yellow sand, broken shells. After taking this 

 cast the wind having increased to a moderate gale with 

 increasing sea, the ship was hove to under stormsails. 

 Roll of ship 25° to starboard and 20° to port. Current 

 0.6 knot an hour, setting S, 40° E. Barometer fell 

 during the 24 hours from 29.48 to 29.07, at midnight. 

 Temperature 45°. 



December 8. Lying to in moderate gale with 

 squalls from W.S.W. At 3 a.m. the wind backed to W. 

 and until noon was irregular in force, but gradually 

 moderating. Vessel rolling deeply, the greatest recorded 

 roll being 34° to starboard and 24° to port. Long 

 swell and rough sea from the westward. At 8 a.m. 

 made sail and put vessel on her course. Stiff to fresh 

 breeze blowing all day, veering to S.S.W. At 6.30 p.m. 

 shortened and furled sail, then sounded in 2224 fathoms, 

 lat. 50° 42' S., long. 103° 52' W. ; yellowish-brown mud, 



