The Vincennes and Peacock at 

 Sydney. 



ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



State of the Peacock. Hospitalities 

 received at Sydney. 



159 



point from which the rays diverged reached the 

 zenith. 



On the 4th they made Macquarie Island, and 

 shortly after passing it, experienced another gale 

 from north-west to south-west, which caused them 

 much anxiety for their rudder, which thus far had 

 answered well, although great attention was neces- 

 sary to prevent strain upon it. Strong gales yet 

 continued. On the 5th, they had a faint display 

 of the aurora. 



On the 7th of February, the weather had be- 

 come less boisterous, and having reached latitude 

 49 S., longitude 1 55 23' E., the aurora austrah's 

 again appeared. It was first seen in the north, 

 and gradually spread its coruscations over the 

 whole heavens ; the rays and beams of light ra- 

 diating from nearly all points of the horizon to the 

 zenith, where their distinctive outlines were lost in 

 a bright glow of light, which was encircled by suc- 

 cessive flashes, resembling those of heat lightning 

 on a sultry summer night ; these formed a lumi- 

 nous arc in the southern sky, about 20 in altitude, 

 from the upper part of which, rays were continually 

 flashing towards the zenith ; light showers of rain 

 finally shut it out from view. On the same night, 

 between one and three, the aurora burst out from 

 the south-western horizon, streaming up and con- 

 centrating in the zenith, and attended with quick 

 flashes of every variety of tint. The wind was 

 moderate from the south-west, and a squall of hail 

 passed at the time. In latitude 47 S. they first 

 encountered phosphorescence in the water. On 

 the 17th they made the land of New South Wales, 

 and continued to experience a variety of weather 

 until the 21st, when they arrived off, and anchored 

 within, the Heads of Port Jackson. 



The next day they proceeded up the harbour, 

 and anchored off Sydney Cove. The ship was 

 much shattered, but her officers and crew all in 

 good health. Here they were kindly received, and 

 no time was lost in proceeding to make the neces- 

 sary repairs. The collector was kind enough to 

 give them permission to land every thing that 

 might be necessary, when and where they pleased. 

 The powder and fireworks were received into the 

 public magazine, and when called for were politely 

 sent in a government boat, free of expense. The 

 railway for merchant-vessels was found too light 

 to trust the Peacock upon it; Mossman's Cove, on 

 the north shore, was then resorted to, not only as a 



convenient place for making the necessary repairs, 

 but as affording more security for the crew against 

 the crimps and rum-shops. 



The day after my arrival, I visited the Peacock, 

 in order to examine into her condition, and could 

 not withhold my astonishment that she had been 

 able, after undergoing such damage, to reach a 

 distant port. The visible injuries have already 

 been stated, in speaking of her accident. On their 

 arrival at Sydney, it was found that her stem had 

 been chafed to within one and a half inches of her 

 wood ends, and much strained throughout. After 

 a full examination of the circumstances, I feel it a 

 duty I owe to Captain Hudson, as well as to his 

 officers and crew, to state that I am well satisfied, 

 that his coolness, decision, and seamanship, with 

 the good conduct of his officers and men in the 

 perilous situation in which they were placed, are 

 worthy of the highest encomiums. The preserva- 

 tion of the ship and crew, and her subsequent 

 navigation to a distant port, reflect the highest 

 credit upon her commander and upon the service 

 to which he belongs. 



Sydney was now much crowded with people, and 

 several balls were given, to which we had the ho- 

 nour of an invitation. That of the St. Patrick So- 

 ciety was attended by the chief people in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Sydney, including the governor and 

 most of the officers of the crown. It was given in 

 the new court-house, and was a handsome and 

 well-conducted entertainment. Two military bands 

 were in attendance; quadrilles and country dances 

 followed each other in rapid succession ; rooms were 

 provided for cards, refreshments, teas, lemonade, 

 &c.; and towards the close of the evening, the 

 company was ushered in to an elegant supper, which 

 was partaken of standing. 



I was struck with the beauty and general appear- 

 ance of the ladies, though I was informed that 

 many of the belles were absent. The style of the 

 party was neither English nor American, but 

 something between the two. I scarcely need 

 remark that we were all much gratified and 

 pleased. The hospitality and kindness shown 

 us were of that kind that made us feel truly 

 welcome. 



Our last week at Sydney was spent in a round 

 of pleasure, and the attention we met with 

 being entirely unexpected, was doubly gratifying 

 to us. 



