416 THE ANTARCTIC MANUAL. 
of ice, which they had entered twelve hours previously ; the only open- 
ing appearing to the eastward, they were compelled to retrace their 
steps, which they effected at 8 p.m., passing some ice-islands which they 
recognised as having been seen the evening before. They now found 
themselves out of this dangerous position, and passing the point, kept 
away to the westward. Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold judged it 
prudent to heave-to during the night, on account of the darkness. 
Feb. 1.—The immense perpendicular barrier encountered yesterday 
was now in sight, trending as far as the eye could reach to the west- 
ward ; it was of tabular form, from 150 to 180 feet in height, of solid 
compact ice, resembling a long line of coast; wind moderate from the 
south-east. A brilliant blink extending along and elevated above the 
barrier. At 4 p.m. they arrived at the end of this barrier, and found 
it trending off to the southward, seeming as if numbers of icebergs 
had been broken from the barrier by some mighty force, exceeding in 
numbers anything that had yet been seen, extending as far south as 
could be distinguished, interspersed with much drift and floe-ice, On 
the southern horizon sixty-four ice-islands were counted, exclusive of 
many near them and those that were not distinguishable from the 
barrier. 
The current was tried here, and found setting south-east nearly a 
mile an hour. Pigeons around in numbers, also whales and large flocks 
of penguins. 
The nights now evidently lengthened, thus adding to the cares and 
anxieties attendant on this navigation. It was fortunate that the pre- 
vailing winds were from the south-east and south-west, or coming off 
the ice. If they had blown from the northward they would have been 
attended with danger, and might have proved fatal to the vessel. 
2nd.—At meridian, in longitude 130° 36’ E., and latitude 65° 24'S, 
They were prevented from proceeding farther to the southward by the 
impenetrable icy barrier. At this time they had one hundred large ice- 
islands in sight, without counting any of the smaller bergs, which were 
innumerable ; saw great numbers of penguins and some seals (Phoca 
proboscidz). The current was tried here, and found setting as yester- 
day, and at the same rate. 
At 8 p.m. were obliged to retrace their steps to the northward, the 
weather becoming thick, with light snow. At eleven, constant and 
thick snowstorm, and unable to see any distance; the gale continuing, 
lay-to under a close-reefed main-topsail. The vignette, from a sketch 
by Mr. Totten, will give some idea of her situation. 
3rd.—A gale from south-east, heavy sea rising ; occasionally passing 
ice-islands and field-ice. The gale continued throughout the day, but 
moderated tuwards midnight; the sea was heavy, the weather thick, 
and the brig completely covered with ice and snow. The barometer 
fell to 28°240in. Temperature of the air 32°. 
