Recent Antarctic Exploration 9 



than a hundred geographical miles, they could clearly dis- 

 tinguish the peaks of the Admiralty range, discovered by 

 Ross some sixty years before. 



The ship's course was now directed to Robertson Bay, 

 which is formed by the long gravelly spit which stretches 

 northwards from Cape Adare. It was on this spit that the 

 expedition sent forth by Sir George Newnes, and commanded 

 by Mr Borchgrevink, spent their winter in 1896. On leaving 

 Cape Adare and coasting southwards, the "Discovery" was 

 destined to experience the might of the tidal currents of 

 these regions, and the risk of encountering them amongst 

 heavy pack-ice. Not having the advantage of steam, Ross 

 was unable to explore this coast closely on account of the 

 extensive pack-ice; but he mapped all the features of the 

 high land. The "Southern Cross," with the aid of steam, 

 was able to follow the coast pretty closely in 1897. The 

 "Discovery" was still more fortunate in 1902, being able to 

 approach some interesting places which were denied to 

 Mr Borchgrevink. With the prevailing easterly and south- 

 easterly winds and the westerly currents, this coast is con- 

 stantly a lee-shore against which the pack-ice is apt to be 

 pressed very close. 



Contrary to expectation, the " Discovery " was unable to 

 penetrate into Wood Bay, which had been reported by the 

 " Southern Cross " to be capable of affording snug winter- 

 quarters, with a considerable extent of land free from ice 

 and snow at the base of Mount Melbourne. This fine 

 mountain rears an almost perfect volcanic cone to a height 

 of 9000 feet ; and, standing alone with no competing 

 height to lessen its grandeur, it constitutes the most mag- 

 nificent landmark on the coast. It is shown in two beau- 

 tiful photographs to be covered with snow to the summit, 

 with, however, some bare patches of rock. South of this 

 point the character of the Victorian coast changed ; and 

 very little snow was observed on the high mountains behind 

 it. In a beautiful sketch by Mr Davis, master of the " Terror," 

 preserved in the Hydrographic Office, the diminution of snow 

 on the mountains south of Cape Washington is apparent. It 



