THE JOURNAL OF JOHN BALLENY. 339 
body of packed ice, and were obliged to tack to the northward to 
avoid it. This, then, was their extreme south point, as they had now 
reached the parallel of 69° in long. 172° 11’ E., full 220 miles to the 
southward of the point which Bellingshausen had been able to attain 
about this meridian: thus adding one proof more that ice in these 
regions, even in the immediate neighbourhood of land, is very far from 
stationary. 
Feb, 2.—Still embayed in field-ice ; the variation this afternoon in 
lat. 68°, long. 171° 30’, was found to have increased to 36° E. On the 
5th observed the water to be much discoloured, and many feathers 
floating. Saw several whales, sea-leopards, and penguins. Gradually 
working to the N.W. to clear the ice, against a strong westerly wid, 
which, contrary to the received opinion, was found to prevail in these 
high latitudes. 
Feb. 6.—This morning commences with light winds and thick 
weather. At noon, more clear; heard the surf to leeward. About half- 
past 12 it cleared a little, when we found we were in a deep bay, 
formed by what evidently appeared to be barrier-ice and close to it. 
As we proceed west the ice appears to lie more to the northward. 
Tacked ship to N.N.W.; very little wind from west, and thick fog. 
The water had been very dirty all day, with a great many feathers. 
Latitude, noon, by account 67° 37’, long. by account 164° 54’; wind 
west ; thermometer 37°. 
Feb. 7.—Begins and continues to the end, light winds and very thick 
with dirty green-looking water. At noon, lat. 67° 7’, long. 165° 5’; wind 
west ; thermometer 38°. 
Feb. 8.—This morning light winds and thick weather. At 2 a.m. 
heard the roar of surf. At 3 passed a large berg of ice close to us; 
saw a young seal. No observations this day. At noon, latitude by 
account 66° 44', longitude by account 165° 4’; wind N.E.; thermo- 
meter 41°. 
Feb. 9.—This morning thick fog; passed a great many icebergs and 
saw a great many penguins. At 8, clear; steering west by compass, got 
sights for my chronometers, which gave the ship by the Port Chalky 
rate in longitude, 164° 29’ E.* At 11 am. noticed a darkish appear- 
ance to the 8.W.; observed the latitude to be 66° 37'5S., by meridian 
altitude; wind north. At noon the sun shone brightly; saw the ap- 
pearance of land to the S.W., extending from west to about south— 
ran for it. At 4 made it out distinctly to be land. At 8 p.m. (having 
run §.W. 22 miles) got within 5 miles of it, when we saw another piece 
of land of great height, bearing W. by 8. At sunset we distinctly made 
them out to be three separate lands of good size, but the western one 
the longest. Lay-to all night off the middle island. 
* The rate obtained at Port Chalky is used throughout; the London rate would give 
1° 40’, or 40 miles distance in this latitude farther cast—Ep. Journ. Roy. Geugr. Soc. 
s z2 
