THE NARRATIVE OF CHARLES WILKES. 375 
large squids (Medusz), and quantities of shrimp were frequently seen 
about the icebergs; these are no doubt the attractions which bring 
whales to frequent these seas. 
The last two days we had very many beautiful snow-white petrels 
about. The character of the ice had now become entirely changed, 
The tabular-formed icebergs prevailed, and there was comparatively 
little field-ice. Some of the bergs were of magnificent dimensions, one- 
third of a mile in length, and from 150 to 200 feet in height, with sides 
perfectly smooth, as though they had been chiselled. Others, again, 
exhibited lofty arches of many-coloured tints, leading into deep caverns, 
open to the swell of the sea, which, rushing in, produced loud and 
distant thunderings. The flight of birds passing in and out of these 
caverns recalled the recollection of ruined abbeys, castles, and caves, 
while here and there a bold projecting bluff, crowned with pinnacles 
and turrets, resembled some Gothic keep. A little farther onwards would 
be seen a vast fissure, as if some powerful force had rent in twain these 
mighty masses. Every noise on board, even our own voices, reverberated 
from the massive and pure white walls. These tabular bergs are like 
masses of beautiful alabaster ; a verbal description of them can do little 
to convey the reality to the imagination of one who has not been among 
them. If an immense city of ruined alabaster palaces can be imagined, 
of every variety of shape and tint, and composed of huge piles of build- 
ings grouped together, with long lanes or streets winding irregularly 
through them, some faint idea may be formed of the grandeur and beauty 
of the spectacle. The time and circumstances under which we were 
viewing them, threading our way through these vast bergs, we knew not 
to what end, left an impression upon me of these icy and desolate regions 
that can never be forgotten. 
22nd.—It was now, during fine weather, one continued day; but we 
had occasional snow-squalls that produced an obscurity that was tanta- 
lismg. The bergs were so vast and inaccessible that there was no 
possibility of landing upon them. 
The Peacock and Porpoise were in sight of each other this day. A 
large number of whales, albatrosses, petrels, penguins, &c., were seen 
around, and a flock of ducks was also reported as having been seen from 
the Vincennes, as well as several seals. The effect of sunrise, at a little 
after 2 a.m. on the 23rd, was glorious. 
As the events which occurred on board the Peacock during the next 
few days are particularly interesting, I shall proceed to narrate them in 
detail, leaving the Vincennes and Porpoise to pursue their route along 
their dangerous and novel pathway, and would particularly refer the 
reader to the actual condition of the Peacock, a statement of which has 
been heretofore given, that it may be borne in mind that our vessels had 
no planking, extra fastening, or other preparations for these icy regions, 
beyond those of the vessels of war in our service. 
, 
a 
