1(30 SOUTHERN CRUISE. 
The fresh gales continued on the 27th, accompanied with rain. 
Towards night it cleared a little, and, with the aid of the young 
moon, they were enabled to run through the ice. 
The weather proved thick on the 28th and 29th, and they had little 
opportunity of making progress to the north, against the northwest 
winds, which were light, On this night a new danger beset them, 
that of being consumed by fire ! At midnight, on the 29th of March, 
they were aroused by the smell of burning and smoke, issuing from 
the main hold. The usual orders were given relative to the maga- 
zine. The drum beat to quarters. On opening the main hatch, smoke 
issued out in volumes, and fire was discovered under it, proceeding 
from a bag in full blaze. This was soon passed on deck, and the 
fire extinguished. It was fortunately discovered in time, and was 
found to proceed from a quantity of coffee, which had been put 
below, in the bag, after it had been burnt or roasted, the previous 
afternoon. 
On the 1st of April, in latitude 60° 12' S., longitude 84° 20' W., 
Captain Hudson despatched the tender to Orange Harbour, with his 
reports to me, and continued his route to Valparaiso. The last 
icebergs seen, were in latitude 62° 30' S., longitude 87° 41' W.; 
the temperature of air 33° ; of water 35°. 
Captain Hudson speaks in the highest terms of his officers and 
crew; of their promptness and efficiency in the performance of their 
respective duties, and of their cordial co-operation in carrying out 
his views. 
They experienced a gale of wind on the 6th and 7th of April, in 
which the barometer fell to 28-71 inches. Some of the squalls were 
remarkably heavy, and the sea high and topping. The gale began 
at northwest, varying to the eastward, and suddenly chana e d° to 
west-southwest, latitude 52° 47' S., longitude 84° W. 
On the 9th, Royal Hope, ordinary seaman, fell from aloft, but did 
not experience any injury. In latitude 51° S., longitude 82° W., 
the sea again showed signs of phosphorescence : temperature of the 
water was 46°. 
On the 11th, they had reached the latitude of 47° 30' S., longitude 
80° W., and the weather began to moderate, having passed the 
stormy latitudes of from 50° to 60° S., where the heaviest winds and 
seas are met with. 
The wind, on the 13th of April, m the latitude of 40° S., began 
to draw to the eastward, and gradually passed into the trade wind. 
