116 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



January 30th. Early this morning we discovered more 

 land to the southward and westward. It was several thou- 

 sand feet high, and extended to the east and west as far as 

 the eye could reach. We steered for it under all sail, intend- 

 ing, if possible, to effect a landing upon some part of its coast ; 

 but by 8 o'clock we reached the icy barrier, and thus were 

 the third time compelled to turn back. How very provoking ! 

 We found our latitude to be, when nearest to the barrier, 

 66° 38' 00" south ; longitude 140° 00' 00" east. Depth of 

 water was twenty-five fathoms — the color, a yellowish cast, or 

 dirty green. Two ledges, composed of volcanic rock, were 

 distinctly seen ; we also observed some columns bearing south, 

 which had the appearance of volcanic smoke. To the west- 

 ward of our position were numerous icebergs, which appeared 

 to be aground. In the course of the afternoon, the wind, 

 which in the morning had been moderate, freshened to a gale ; 

 and, by 6 o'clock, we called all hands, and reduced sail to a 

 close-reefed main-topsail and fore-storm staysail. The cold 

 is very severe, and a number of the " look outs " have been 

 badly frozen. 



January 31st. There is no improvement in the weather. 



February 1st. Last night the gale abated, and we are now 

 favored with mild, pleasant weather. How grateful this feels 

 after the stormy scenes we have passed through within the 

 last forty-eight hours ! Our sick-list the last week has been 

 very large. The fleet-surgeon attributes it to the climate, and 

 has recommended to Captain Wilkes to return north.* Many 

 of the men are affected with boils, which renders them almost 

 useless. Rheumatic affections are also exceedingly prevalent. 



February 3d. On this day we experienced another severe 

 storm. 



* This recommendation was not listened to. 



