WORK OF THE WHALERS AND SEALERS 9 



largely for that purpose ; whilst amongst the more enterprising 

 commanders may be named Weddell, Biscoe, and Balleny. 

 The result of this enlightenment was to add considerably to 

 our knowledge of the Southern Regions. 



The most important voyage made in these circumstances 

 was that of James Weddell. After doing some excellent 

 surveying work among the Southern islands in 1823, Weddell, 

 in his small brig the ' Jane,' and accompanied by the cutter 

 1 Beaufoy,' crossed the Antarctic Circle in longitude 32 W., 

 and, passing innumerable bergs, found himself in an open sea, 

 through which he sailed, and eventually reached a latitude 

 of 74.15 S., more than three degrees to the south of Cook's 

 farthest point. In this position, and when he could see 

 nothing to the south but the clear sea horizon, he was forced 

 to turn on account of the state of his crew and his provisions. 

 For nearly twenty years this remained the most southerly 

 point reached, and the extraordinarily open condition of the 

 sea as reported by Weddell has rendered the region to this day 

 one of the most fascinating to which prospective explorers can 

 turn their thoughts. 



Biscoe was one of Enderby's officers, and had been a mate 

 in the Royal Navy. Like Weddell's, his voyage was made in 

 a small brig, the 'Tula,' accompanied by a tiny cutter, the 

 1 Lively.' He crossed the Antarctic Circle in longitude 2 E., 

 and succeeded in running to the eastward on an exceedingly 

 high latitude. On February 25, 183 1, he discovered an ice- 

 barrier which he likened in height and appearance to the 

 North Foreland. He added : ' It then ran away to the south- 

 ward with a gradual ascent, with a perfectly smooth surface, 

 and I could trace it in extent to at least 30 or 40 miles from 

 the foretop with a good telescope.' His ship at this time was 

 in latitude 66.2 S., longitude 43 W., but apparently he again saw 

 this icy barrier farther to the eastward and observed several 

 indications which denoted the proximity of land. It was this 

 coast to which he gave the name of Enderby Land. Biscoe 

 wintered in New Zealand, and in the following season he sailed 

 to the south again, and continuing his circumnavigation 



