THE NARRATIVE OF CHARLES WILKES. 866 
were in small patches. As the icebergs increased in number the sea 
became smoother, and there was no apparent motion. Between 8 and 9 
p-m. a low point of ice was perceived ahead, and in a short time we 
passed within it. There was now a large bay before us. As the vessel 
moved rapidly, at 10.30 p.m. we had reached its extreme limits, and 
found our further progress entirely stopped by a compact barrier of ice, 
enclosing large square icebergs. The barrier consisted of masses closely 
packed, and of every variety of shape and size. We hove to until full 
daylight ; the night was beautiful, and everything seemed sunk in sleep, 
except the sound of the distant and low rustling of the ice that now and 
then met the ear. We had now reached the latitude of 64° 11' G., 
longitude 164° 30' K., and found our variation 22 degrees easterly. One 
and all felt disappointed, for we had flattered ourselves that the way 
was open for further progress to the southward, and had imbibed the 
impression (from the extraordinary weather we had at Sydney, and the 
reports of icebergs having been seen farther to the northward than usual, 
by all the vessels arriving) that the season would be an open one. What 
surprised me most was a change in the colour of the water to an olive- 
green, and some faint appearances resembling distant land; but as it 
was twilight, and I did not believe the thing credible, I put no faith in 
these indications, although some of the officers were confident they were 
not occasioned by icebergs. The barometer stood at 29-200 in.; the 
temperature of the air 33°, water 32°. We lay to until 4 o’clock. As it 
grew light, on the 12th, a fog set in so thick that we lost sight of the 
Porpoise, and could not hear any answer to our signals. I therefore 
determined to work along the barrier to the westward. 
We were all day beating in a thick fog, with the barrier of ice close 
to us, and occasionally in tacking brought it under our bow; at other 
times we were almost in contact with icebergs. During the whole day 
we could not see at any time further than a quarter of a mile, and 
seldom more than the ship’s length. The fog, or rather thick mist, 
was forming in ice on our rigging. From the novelty of our situation, 
and the excitement produced by it, we did not think of the danger. I 
shall now leave the Vincennes and Porpoise pursuing their course to the 
westward with a head wind, and bring the Peacock up to the barrier. 
Previously to parting company on the 3rd of January, the crew of that 
ship had also been engaged in building hurricane-houses, calking and 
chintzing, to secure them from the wet and cold. After parting com- 
pany, Captain Hudson immediately steered for the first rendezvous, 
Macquarie Island, and was more fortunate than we were in reaching it, 
although the Peacock had experienced the same kind of weather that we 
had, and currents setting to the eastward. 
On approaching the island they discovered large patches of kelp, and 
saw numerous procellaria and albatrosses about the ship. On the 10th 
of January they made the island, and observed a reef of rocks extending 
