THE NARRATIVE OF CHARLES WILKES. 413 
23rd.—Countless icebergs in sight; the sea quite smooth, not the 
slightest motion perceptible. At meridian they were in latitude 66° 44’ S., 
longitude 151° 24’ E., and close to the barrier, which appeared quite 
impenetrable, as far as the eye could reach from aloft, to the north- 
north-west and north-north-east, with numberless immense ice-islands 
entangled and enclosed in it in all directions. The position they occu- 
pied seemed an inlet of elliptical shape, with an opening to the north. 
It was needless to count the many scattering islands of ice distinct from 
the vast chain; intermingled with field-ice, they studded the gulf like 
so many islands, of various shapes and dimensions. At 2.25 a sail was 
discovered on the lee bow ; kept off to communicate, supposing it to be the 
Vincennes or Peacock. At 2.30 the Peacock was made out on the southern 
board, showing no disposition to communicate; showed our colours, and 
hauled to the westward. 
24th.—The day was remarkably fine, such as is seldom experienced 
in this region. The water appeared much discoloured and of a dirty 
olive-green colour. At meridian they again made the field-ice, and 
tacked to the northward, passing through large quantities of ice-islands ; 
weather looking bad, with occasional light snow-storms. 
25th.—Part of this day was clear and pleasant, though snow fell at 
intervals; the field-ice was in sight several times, and many ice-islands 
of great size and beauty. Penguins were swimming round, and also 
several shoals of black-fish ; a black albatross was shot; towards night 
the weather became very thick; they were in longitude 150° E., 
latitude 65° 56'S. 
26th.—Fresh winds blowing from the eastward ; during the first few 
hours a thick snow-storm; at 4 a.m. it cleared; at 6 o’clock made a 
sail; the strange sail fired a gun and made signal, when we bore down 
and spoke her; she proved to be the Vincennes ; compared chronometers 
and received rate; bore off to the westward under all sail; found the 
drift and the floe-ice very thick, and were with great difficulty enabled 
to navigate through it; wind fresh, with a long swell from the south- 
west. At 5.30, the ice increasing in quantity, found it was necessary 
to haul off. Lost sight of the Vincennes. Weather very threatening. 
The course during the day proved a very tortuous one. Many penguins 
Testing on the ice; their gait is an awkward kind of strut. 
Received orders to-day by signal to meet the Vincennes along the 
icy barrier between the 20th and 28th of next month. 
27th.—This day proved clear and cold; wind from the south-west ; 
ice forming rapidly on the vessel; at meridian lost sight of the 
Vincennes ; very many ice-islands in sight; latitude 65° 41’ S., longitude 
142°31' E. On this day Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold determined 
with the fair wind to pass to the extreme limit of his orders, longitude 
105° E., being of opinion he would thereby save time, and be enabled 
more effectually to.examine the barrier with what he thought would be 
