HO ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



which we may very soon expect to encounter. The hatches 

 have had casings built around them, furnished with doors, the 

 seams of the ports are caulked and covered with tarred can- 

 vas and sheet-lead, and a stove has been put up on the gun- 

 deck, which is to answer the double purpose of warming the 

 ship and drying the wet clothing. The temperature of the 

 ship is, I understand, to be regulated by a thermometer, and 

 is never to be higher than 50°, in order that the crew may be 

 compelled to take exercise, which is very necessary in cold 

 latitudes. The weather continues pleasant, and the nights are 

 beautifully clear and starlight. We are now in latitude 

 38° 35' 00" south, and longitude 150° 55' 00" east. 



January 2d. There has been a great change in the ap- 

 pearance and feeling of the weather within the last twenty-four 

 hours. The horizon looks threatening, and it is cold enough 

 to make one feel the want of an overcoat. Owing to the heavy 

 mist which prevailed during the night, we lost sight of the 

 schooner " Flying Fish," and we have spent a large portion 

 of this day in looking for her, but without success. This has 

 compelled us to steer for Macquarie Island, the first ap- 

 pointed place for the squadron to meet in the event of a sepa- 

 ration. 



January 3d. The fog continues very thick, and we have 

 reason to believe that we have separated from the " Peacock," 

 as we have not seen her since this morning. Two guns were 

 fired about noon, in hopes that she might hear us. According 

 to our observations, we are in latitude of 49° 25' 00" south, 

 and 159° 18' 00" east. The weather grows cold, and the 

 wind blows fresh from the northward and eastward. 



January 4th and 5th. During these two days we have had 

 much rain, accompanied with thunder and lightning. A vast 

 number of Port Egmont hens, petrils, and albatrosses, and one 



