3S4 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



in the chapter on currents. Its width no doubt varies with the 

 season. 



On the 11th of March, at noon, we passed the Heads of Port 

 Jackson, and took a pilot. We were, as a body, in better condition 

 than when we left Sydney three months before. 



In an hour afterwards we dropped our anchor in Farm Cove, off 

 Fort Macquarie. Our reception was flattering; scarcely was our 

 anchor well down before many of our friends came on board to bid 

 us welcome ; and we felt tenfold that kind hospitality which on our 

 former visit we had first become acqiiainted with. They appeared 

 to rejoice in our success as if we had been their countrymen. 



During our absence from Sydney, many improvements had taken 

 place. The storehouses for the deposit of grain on an island in the 

 harbour were in rapid progress ; the new Government-House nearly 

 completed, and the foundation of an Exchange laid ; besides this, many 

 improvements in town that were then in progress, had been com- 

 pleted ; and the rapidity with which these works had been accom- 

 plished, strongly reminded me of similar operations at home. 



The country was looking quite green and pretty ; indeed, the sail 

 up the noble harbour was truly beautiful ; it wore quite a different 

 face from its former parched appearance, the rains having been 

 abundant during our absence. 



Observations were obtained for the rates of our chronometers, and 

 the magnetic needles again experimented with. 



On overhauling my ship, the fore-topmast was found to be slightly 

 sprung. 



It was with great pleasure I learned the safety of the Peacock ; 

 for that vessel had occupied my thoughts more than the others, on 

 account of the condition in which she left Sydney. All on board of 

 her were well, and the vessel was undergoing repairs in Mossman's 

 Cove, one of the many which this harbour forms. These coves may 

 be termed wet-docks, affording as they do every facility for the repair 

 of vessels of any size. They are more like artificial than natural 

 basins, and are secure against any wind. There is no port in the 

 world that offers so many natural advantages as Port Jackson, for a 

 great naval power. We had many things to relate to each other ; 

 among others, the particulars of the accident that befell the Peacock, 

 that has already been noticed. The return of that vessel to this port 

 now claims our attention. 



On the 28th of January, their sick-list had increased to thirteen, 



