402 



THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGEK. 



hove to until daylight. At 6 p.m. forty bergs were counted from the masthead. The 

 weather continued fine during the day, with a smooth sea and a moderate east wind (true), 

 the clouds were more detached than usual, the sun being visible at intervale during the 

 whole day. The atmosphere rather misty, the barometer steadily falling from 28 '8 80 to 

 28'515 inches, temperature of air 29°, of surface water 32 0, 4. 



On the 20th, at 3 a.m., sail was made on the starboard tack, the easterly wind 

 preventing the ship getting towards Wilkes' Termination Land as quickly as was desired. 

 Numerous bergs were in sight all day, at one time sixty-nine were counted, but no pack 

 ice was seen. At 10.30 p.m. the vessel was again obliged to heave to under topsails and 

 jib for the night. A moderate breeze blew from the southeast all day, the sky being 

 overcast, and the sea smooth, the barometer gradually rising from 28 "533 to 28 '828 inches. 

 Temperature of the air 29°"5, and of the sea surface 32°"6. Some Penguins and Whales 

 were seen in addition to the usual sea birds. 



On the 21st the weather was calm all day, cloudy and misty in the forenoon, but 



Fiq. 152. — Iceberg seen 21st February 1874. 



clear in the afternoon and evening. Numerous icebergs were in sight, seventy-eight being 

 counted from the deck. At 4 p.m., the weather still remaining calm, steam was got up 

 and the ship proceeded towards an iceberg about one mile distant ; stopping close to the 

 berg it was photographed, and afterwards the 12-pounder was fired at it. The first shot 

 was directed at a low part of the berg about 100 feet from the ship, and striking against 

 pure ice split off a great mass from the ice-cliff, which, tumbling into the water between 

 the berg and the ship, created quite a commotion. The second shot was directed at the 

 upper part of the berg about a third of the distance below the summit, which was 180 

 feet high, and striking against the softer part merely buried itself in the snow-cliff. The 

 sun shining out at this time the opportunity was taken of swinging the ship to ascertain 



