APPENDIX. 499 



EXTRACT FROM LOG. 



"At 7 p. M., discovered what was supposed to be an island, bearing 

 south-by-east, a great deal of field-ice in sight. 



(Signed) "J. H. North." 



17th, the indications were again noticed, corroborating those of the 

 day preceding. From the 19th to the 21st, I was not in sight of the 

 barrier, owing to adverse winds and thick weather. On the afternoon 

 of the last date, I closed in again. On the 22d, 4 a. m., appearances 

 of land again to the southward and eastward, at the time passing an 

 iceberg with dark veins, and dusty appearances, exciting again confi- 

 dent hopes of soon making positive discoveries. 



On the 23d, I attained the parallel of 66° 49' S., 151° 24' E., by 

 observation, having reached the southern extreme of an extensive 

 gulf, studded with islands of ice, and far in the distance to the south- 

 ward high and lofty bergs were identified and entangled in the main 

 barrier, rendering our advancement one step further impossible. I 

 put about, tried dip, and retraced my steps, exchanging colours with 

 Peacock at 2 1 ' 30 m p. M., then on her way in. 



After separating from you on the 27th, I proceeded westward, 

 keeping the barrier close to, reluctantly meeting insuperable obstacles 

 in every effort to pass the Antarctic Circle. 



On the 28th, I experienced a heavy gale from southeast of thirty- 

 six hours, with snow and dense fog, rendering my situation dangerous 

 in the extreme, from the vast numbers of icebergs, and quantities of 

 floe and drift-ice, surrounding the brig at the time. 



On the afternoon of the 30th, at 3 h 45 m , a ship was discovered 

 ahead ; at 3 h 50 m another appeared in company ; being in latitude 64° 

 52' 30" S., and longitude 135° 27' E. I determined to speak them, 

 supposing them to be the Vincennes and Peacock ; at 4 h made them 

 out to be standing to the northward, under easy sail, and discovered 

 them to be strangers ; at 4 h 30 m hoisted our colours, knowing that an 

 expedition under Captain Ross was expected in these seas. I took 

 them to be his ships, and stood ready to cheer the discoverer of the 

 North Magnetic Pole. At 4 h 50 m , having gained considerably upon 

 them, and being within I suppose a mile and a half, the strangers 

 showed French colours, the leeward and sternmost displaying a broad 

 pennant; and concluded they were the French discovery ships under 

 Captain D'Urville. 



