34$ THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



theodolite for three or four hours ; towards evening the weather changed to mist and 

 rain. 



On the 29th, between 1 and 4 a.m., the weather was very squally, but at 6 a.m. the 

 wind had moderated, and the ship left Fuller Harbour, proceeding through the Aldrich 

 Channel for Christmas Harbour ; after 8 a.m. the weather cleared up and a beautiful 

 sunny day succeeded. North of Howe Island some hauls of the dredge were obtained, in 

 depths varying from 45 to 127 fathoms. Looking up London River and White Bay, 

 a fine view of the glacier descending from Mount Richards was obtained, but the summit 

 of that hill could not be seen as it was covered with cloud and mist. 



The Aldrich Channel, though narrow, is deep and free from danger ; on the southeast 

 side of M'Murdo Island, and between it and the islets facing Rhodes Bay, there appeared 

 to be good anchorage. Off Breaker's Bluff is a flat rock and rock awash ; on the west 

 side of the channel there was little or no kelp. At 5 p.m. the ship anchored in Christmas 

 Harbour. 



On the 30th the morning was very fine, a little mist on the highest and western hill 

 tops, the rest of the island clear. Mount Ross was seen from the top of Mount Havergal, 

 but not the actual summit, which was hidden by intervening clouds. Ecpial altitudes 

 were obtained at the observing station, which gave rates for the chronometers. Towards 

 evening the weather changed and became thick, Swain Island being hidden. 



On the 31st the morning was cloudy and gloomy, with passing showers. At noon, 

 having completed tracings of surveys and copies of remarks, these were -soldered in a tin 

 case, and deposited in a cairn on the north side of the harbour. At 3 p.m. the ship left 

 Christmas Harbour under sail and proceeded towards Cape Digby ; at 8 p.m. passed the 

 Bird Rocks, and then steered southeast for 36 miles, when, as the ship cleared the land and 

 got away from Cape Francois, the weather cleared considerably. It had been the intention 

 to pass down the western coast of Kerguelen from Christmas Harbour, to make a running 

 survey of it, but the weather was unfavourable and the time could not be spared to wait, 

 for the summer was now at its height, and every day was precious if any researches were 

 to be prosecuted farther south in the neighbourhood of the Antarctic ice. 



On the 1st February, at 1 a.m., sail was shortened and the ship hove to till day- 

 light. At 4 A.M. sail was again made and the ship steered along the land to the south- 

 westward towards Cape George. It was a peculiar heavy looking morning, with high 

 clouds, and a pale green sky before sunrise ; the Mount Crozier range was capped with 

 clouds, but the Wyville Thomson range and the hills to the westward were clear, and 

 Mount Ross very distinct. At 11 A.M. the wind fell light, so sails were furled and the ship 

 proceeded under steam. After passing Cape George the westerly swell prevented the 

 ship proceeding farther west without expending more coals than could be afforded, 

 so it was thought sufficient to cut in the land from the ship, and fix the position of 

 the southern Cape of Kerguelen — Cape Challenger. Cape Challenger is a ragged point, at 



