THE NARRATIVE OF CHARLES WILKES. 371 
distinct, but whose summits were lost in light fleecy clouds. Few clouds 
were to be seen in any other direction, for the weather was remarkably 
clear. The sun shone brightly, on ridge after ridge, whose sides were 
partially bare; these connected the eminences I have just spoken of, 
which must be from 1000 to 2000 feet high. Mr. Eld further states, 
that on reporting the discovery to Captain Hudson, the latter replied 
_ that there was no doubt of it, and that he believed that most of the ice- 
bergs then in sight were aground. At this time they were close in with 
the barrier, and could approach no nearer. On this day the Peacock got 
a cast of the deep-sea lead, with Six’s thermometer attached, to the depth 
of 850 fathoms, only a short distance from the barrier ; the temperature 
of the surface was 31°, and at the depth sounded 314°; current one-fourth 
of a mile, north-by-east. 
The log-book of the Porpoise has also this notice in it: “ From six to 
eight, calm and pleasant, took in studding-sails; at seven set maintop- 
gallant studding-sail; discovered what we took to be an island, bearing 
south-by-east ; a great deal of field-ice in sight ; noticed penguins around 
the brig.—(Signed) T. H. Nort.” Dr. Holmes, on the same evening, 
noted in his journal a marked appearance of land. 
On board the .Vincennes there was on the same day much excitement 
among the crew. All eagerly watched the flight of birds, together with 
the whales and penguins, and spoke of the proximity of land, which, 
from the appearance of never-failing signs, could scarcely be doubted. 
The following is a sketch which I made of what I myself saw, and have 
SKETOH OF LAND AND FIELD-ICE. 
called Ringgold’s Knoll, on the chart, and which at the same time will 
show the field-ice* as it appeared. 
-- This night we were beating with frequent tacks, in order to gain as 
much southing as possible. Previous to its becoming broad daylight 
* The field-ice is composed of a vast number of pieces, varying in size, and separated 
from one another, the long swell keeping the outer ones always in motion. The smallest 
pieces were about 6 feet in diameter, while the largest sometimes exceeded 500 or 
600 feet. Their depth below the surface varies still more, and some appear to be soft, 
while others were hard and compact. The depth of these does not probably in any 
case exceed 20 feet. Most of them, and particularly the larger ones, had a covering of 
about 18 inches of snow. The whole at a distance appeared like a vast level field, 
broken up as it were by the plough, and presenting shapeless angular masses of every 
possible figure, while bere and there a table-topped iceberg was enclosed. 
2B 2 
