SOUTHERN CRUISE. 149 
found to be on a level with the waters of the bay, and to be milk-warm. 
A few inches below it was perceptibly colder. No thermometric ob- 
servations were obtained. The ground near the Boiling Springs was 
quite hot. In the vicinity were lying quantities of cellular and 
scoriaceous lava. The only sign of vegetation was a lichen, growing 
in small tufts, around the mouth of several small craters, of three or 
four feet in diameter. From these a heated vapour is constantly 
issuing, accompanied by much noise. Before they returned to the 
tender, they were overtaken by a violent snow-storm from the north- 
east, and with difficulty reached the cove without the boat, having 
been compelled to leave it at the opposite side of the bay, for the force 
of the wind was such as to render all their efforts to pull against it 
useless. This weather continued with much snow for three days, 
when it ceased snowing, but still blew heavy. Lieutenant Johnson 
had the intention of carrying their yawl over, for the purpose of 
sounding in the crater, to ascertain its depth, and get its temperature, 
which it is to be regretted was not done. On the 17th of March they 
sailed from Deception Island, having left a bottle enclosing reports, 
tied to a flag-staff. This was afterwards found by Captain Smiley, 
who mentions in his letter to me, that in February, 1842, the whole 
south side of Deception Island appeared as if on fire. He counted 
thirteen volcanoes in action. He is of opinion that the island is 
undergoing many changes. He likewise reports that Palmer's Land 
consists of a number of islands, between which he has entered, and 
that the passages are deep, narrow, and dangerous. 
The Sea-Gull, after a stormy passage, reached Orange Harbour on 
the 22d, all much exhausted. They were despatched by Lieutenant 
Craven the next day, as before stated, in search of the launch, (which 
had been absent eleven days,) on the route she had been ordered to 
pursue. 
In passing over from Hermit Island to that of Evout's, during a 
brisk gale and heavy sea, the launch, in towing, filled, broke adrift, 
and was lost. The men had all been previously ordered out of her, 
and most of the articles removed. The Sea-Gull again reached Orange 
Harbour on the 5th. 
On her arrival, finding the launch had not completed the duties 
pointed out, I again despatched the Sea-Gull tender, to finish them, 
particularly to examine and survey a harbour on the east side of 
Wollaston's Island. She accordingly sailed the next day, and suc- 
ceeded in performing the required duty, having surveyed a very 
vnr.. T. 38 
