ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 303 



6 p. m., we began to perceive smaller pieces of ice, some of which 

 were not more than an eighth of a mile in length, floating as it were 

 in small patches. As the icebergs increased in number, the sea 

 became smoother, and there was no apparent motion. Between 8 

 and 9 p. m., a low point of ice was perceived ahead, and in a short 

 time we passed within it. There was now a large bay before us. 

 As the vessel moved rapidly, at 10J p. M. we had reached its extreme 

 limits, and found our further progress entirely stopped by a compact 

 barrier of ice, enclosing large square icebergs. The barrier consisted 

 of masses closely packed, and of every variety of shape and size. 

 We hove-to until full daylight ; the night was beautiful, and every 

 thing seemed sunk in sleep, except the sound of the distant and low 

 rustling of the ice that now and then met the ear. We had now 

 reached the latitude of 64° 11' S., longitude 164° 30' E., and found 

 our variation twenty-two degrees easterly. One and all felt disap- 

 pointed, for we had flattered ourselves that the way was open for 

 further progress to the southward, and had imbibed the impression 

 (from the extraordinary weather we had had at Sydney, and the 

 reports of icebergs having been seen farther to the northward than 

 usual, by all the vessels arriving) that the season would be an open 

 one. What surprised me most was a change in the colour of the 

 water to an olive green, and some faint appearances resembling dis- 

 tant land ; but as it was twilight, and I did not believe the thing 

 credible, I put no faith in these indications, although some of the 

 officers w T ere confident they were not occasioned by icebergs. The 

 barometer stood at 29-200 in.; the temperature of the air 33°, water 

 32°. We lay-to until four o'clock. As it grew light, on the 12th, a 

 fog set in so thick that we lost sight of the Porpoise, and could not 

 hear any answer to our signals. I therefore determined to work along 

 the barrier to the westward. 



We were all day beating in a thick fog, with the barrier of ice 

 close to us, and occasionally in tacking brought it under our bow ; at 

 other times we were almost in contact with icebergs. During- the 

 whole day w r e could not see at any time further than a quarter of a 

 mile, and seldom more than the ship's length. The fog, or rather 

 thick mist, was forming in ice on our rigging. From the novelty 

 of our situation, and the excitement produced by it, we did not think 

 of the danger. I shall now leave the Vincennes and Porpoise pur- 

 suing their course to the westward with a head wind, and bring the 

 Peacock up to the barrier. 



