5 6 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION UANUARY 



retreat along the coast. Seals and penguins should be plentiful 

 and possibly some useful stores may remain at Cape Adare, but 

 the existence of stores should not be regarded as more than a 

 possibility. 



' In conclusion I wish you all possible good luck, feeling 

 assured that you will deserve it. 



(Signed) R. SCOTT. 



By 9 A.M. on the 2yth we were off Cape Crozier and com- 

 menced our survey of the Barrier to see what changes had taken 

 place since 1901. 



About 9 A.M. on January 30 we passed an inlet opening N. 

 by W., noo yards long, 250 wide, having perpendicular sides 

 about 90 feet high. 



This evening about seven we saw a large piece of the Bar- 

 rier break off. We were at the time within 900 yards of the 

 cliff, when we heard a noise like thunder and saw a cloud of 

 spray rise up about half a mile ahead of us. The cloud of 

 spray completely hid the Barrier at that place, and as this 

 cleared we saw that a large piece had broken off, while debris 

 of ice was forced out across our bows, making us alter course 

 to avoid it. 



January 31. While steaming up a bay this afternoon an- 

 other large piece of the Barrier broke away. It must have been 

 five miles away, but we heard the noise like a peal of thunder and 

 through our glasses saw a cloud of spray hanging over the place 

 like a fog. 



Soon after 3 P.M. we were up at the head of the bay, when 

 we found new ice had formed. The Barrier here runs down 

 nearly to the water's edge, and were it only farther to the east- 

 ward would not be a bad place to winter. 



A number of Sibbald whales were blowing in the bay, and 

 on the ice we saw several seals, and some Emperor penguins. 

 Time and coal were precious; so we did not wait, but turned, 

 and steamed out of the bay. 



On getting outside we found a strong S.E. wind, and as 

 we had the current against us as well, we decided not to work 

 along the Barrier, but to shape course direct for Cape Colbeck, 

 in which case we could carry fore and aft sail. We encountered 

 strong S.E. wind but no pack, until 3 o'clock on the morning 



