430 THE ANTARCTIC MANUAL. 
On the 22nd they spoke a French whaler from Hobart Town, who 
expressed much surprise at finding so small a vessel in such high lati- 
tudes. The captain sent a boat on board, and invited them to “soup” 
with him. 
On the 23rd they made the southern island of New Zealand. On 
the 1st of March they experienced a most violent gale. The wind 
about noon on the 29th of February hauled to the southward and east- 
ward, and by midnight it blew a gale, hauling to the eastward until 
about 8 p.m., when its violence moderated. Their latitude was 40° S., 
longitude 178° 30' E. For several days previous to this a noise was 
heard about the heel of the mainmast. An examination was had, and 
the conclusion arrived at that it worked in the step, the wedges in the 
partners having been driven without obviating it. On the 9th of March 
they arrived at the Bay of Islands, where they found the gentlemen. 
AURORA AUSTRALIS, 
who had gone there to pursue their researches in natural history awaiting 
our arrival. 
The Vincennes was left on the 21st of February on her way north. 
On the 22nd strong gales from the west-north-west, with snow-squalls, 
