388 THE ANTARCTIC MANUAL. 
when we were in longitude 142° 40' E., latitude 65° 54’ 21” S., variation 
5° 08' easterly. 
On the 28th I found myself completely surrounded by the tabular 
icebergs, through which we continued to pass. Towards midnight the 
wind shifted to the south-east, and enabled me to haul more to the south- 
ward. At 9.30 a.m. we had another sight of the land ahead, and every 
prospect of nearing it with a fine breeze. The sight of the icebergs 
around us, all of large dimensions, was beautiful. The greatest number 
in sight at one time was noted, and found to be more than a hundred, 
varying from a quarter of a mile to three miles in length. We took the 
most open route, and by eleven o’clock had run upwards of forty miles 
through them. We had the land now in plain view, but the weather 
soon began to thicken and the breeze to freshen. At noon it was so 
thick that every thing was hidden, and no observation was obtained. 
The ship was hove-to, but shortly after again put under way, making 
several tacks to keep my position, which I felt was becoming a critical 
one, in case a gale should ensue. I therefore looked carefully over my 
chart, and was surprised at the vast number of icebergs that appeared 
onit. At2 p.m. the barometer began to fall and the weather to change 
for the worse. At 5 p.m. a gale was evidently coming on, so we took 
three reefs in the topsails. It appeared now that certain wreck would 
ensue should we remain where we were; and after much consideration 
I made up my mind to retrace my way and seek the open space forty 
miles distant, taking for a landmark a remarkable berg that had been 
the last entered on the chart, and which would be a guide to my course 
out. I therefore stood for its position. The weather was so thick that 
it was necessary to run close to it to be quite sure of recognising it, for 
on this seemed to depend our safety. About the estimated time we would 
take to pass over the distance, an iceberg was made (we were within 
1000 feet of it) which, at first view, I felt confident was the one sought, 
but was not altogether satisfied afterwards. 
I therefore again consulted my chart, and became more doubtful of 
it. Justat that moment I was called on deck by an officer, who informed 
me that there were icebergs a short distance ahead. 
Such proved to be the case; our path was beset with them, and it 
was evident we could not regain our route. To return was worse, s0 
having but little choice left I determined to keep on. To encounter 
these icebergs so soon after seeing the other was in some respects satis- 
factory, for it removed all doubts, and showed me that we were not 
near the track by which we entered. Nothing, therefore, was to be 
done but to keep a good look-out, and the ship under sufficient way to 
stecr well; my safest plan was to keep as near our former track as 
possible, believing it to be most free of these masses. 
At 8 p.m. it began to blow very hard, with a violent snowstorm, 
circumscribing our view, and rendering it impossible to see more than 
