120 TERRA DEL FUEGO. 



was late, I at least anticipated getting some experience among the 

 ice ; and I supposed that the lateness of the season would have allowed 

 it to detach itself from the shores of Palmer's Land, and would permit 

 as near an approach as possible to its main body or barrier, in the 



vicinity of Cook's Ne Plus Ultra. 



■:k' : 



Agreeably to my instructions, such disposition was made of the 

 squadron as seemed best calculated to obtain the necessary results in 

 the different departments. Captain Hudson, with the Peacock, and 

 the Flying-Fish, under Lieutenant Walker, as a tender, were ordered 

 to the westward, as far as the Ne Plus Ultra of Cook. I went in the 

 Porpoise, Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, accompanied by the Sea- 

 Gull, Lieutenant Johnson, to pass to the south, for the purpose if pos- 

 sible of exploring the southeast side of Palmer's Land, or, should an 

 opportunity offer, of proceeding further south. The Relief, Lieutenant- 

 Commandant Long, was ordered into the Straits of Magellan, through 

 the Brecknock Passage and Cockburn's Sound, with part of the gentle- 

 men of the scientific corps, in order to enlarge our field of operations. 

 Mr. Peale volunteered to go south in the Peacock. 



The Vincennes was safely moored in Orange Harbour, and left 

 under the charge of Lieutenant Craven, to carry on the investigations, 

 surveys, &c. &c. Messrs. Couthouy and Drayton, of the scientific 

 corps, remained in the Vincennes. Lieutenant Carr was put in charge 

 of the observatory. 



