312 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



The ship was certainly embayed, and although the extent of sea- 

 room to which we were limited, was rendered invisible by the dark 

 and murky weather, yet, that we were closely circumscribed was 

 evident from having made the ice so soon on either tack, and from 

 the audible rustling around us. It required several hours to extricate 

 the ship from this bay. 



Few are able to estimate the feelings that such an occasion causes 

 to a commander, who has the responsibility of the safety of ship and 

 crew operating as a heavy weight upon his heart, and producing a 

 feeling as if on the verge of some overwhelming calamity. All tends 

 to satisfy him that nothing could guide him in safety through, or 

 shield from destruction those who have been entrusted to his charge, 

 but the hand of an all-wise Providence. 



17th. In the morning we discovered a ship, apparently within a mile 

 of us, to which we made signal and fired a gun, but she was shortly 

 after lost sight of. We also saw the brig to the eastward, close to the 

 barrier of ice. In the afternoon we spoke the Peacock : she had not 

 seen us in the morning ; and I should be disposed to believe that the 

 cause of her image appearing so close to us in the morning was 

 produced by refraction above a low fog-bank ; but the usual accom- 

 paniment of such phenomena (a difference of temperature below and 

 aloft) did not exist. 



I now desired Captain Hudson to make the best use of his time in 

 exploring, as to attempt to keep company would only impede our 

 progress, and, without adding to our safety, might prevent the 

 opportunity of examining the barrier for an opening. I was also 

 satisfied that the separation would be a strong incentive to exertion, 

 by exciting rivalry among the officers and crews of the different 

 vessels. This day at noon we were in latitude 66° 20' S., longitude 

 156° 02' E. Many petrels, albatrosses, a few whales, and a seal, were 

 seen from the ship ; and the water was quite green. 



18th. The weather this day was variable, with light westerly 

 winds ; the temperature of air and water 32°. Occasional squalls of 

 snow and mist occurred, but it was at times clear. The water was 

 still olive-green ; and the other vessels occasionally in sight beating 

 to windward. 



On the morning of the 19th, we found ourselves in a deep bay, and 

 discovered the Peacock standing to the southwest. Until eight o'clock, 

 a. m., we had a moderate breeze. The water was of a darker olive- 

 green, and had a muddy appearance. Land was now certainly visible 



