SOUTHERN CRUISE. 145 



his letter to me, that in February, 1842, the whole south side of 

 Deception Island appeared as if on fire. He counted thirteen 

 volcanoes in action. He is of opinion that the island is undergoing 

 many changes. He likewise reports that Palmer's Land consists of 

 a number of islands, between which he has entered, and that the pas- 

 sages are deep, narrow, and dangerous. 



The Sea-Gull, after a stormy passage, reached Orange Harbour on 

 the 22d, with all hands much exhausted. She was despatched by 

 Lieutenant Craven the next day, as before stated, in search of the 

 launch, (which had been absent eleven days,) on the route she had 

 been ordered to pursue. 



In passing over from Hermit Island to that of Evout's, during a 

 brisk gale and heavy sea, the launch, in towing, filled, broke adrift, 

 and was lost. The men had all been previously ordered out of her, 

 and most of the articles removed. The Sea-Gull again reached 

 Orange Harbour on the 5th. 



On her arrival, finding the launch had not completed the duties 

 pointed out, I again despatched the Sea-Gull tender, to finish them, 

 particularly to examine and survey a harbour on the east side of 

 Wollaston's Island. She accordingly sailed the next day, and suc- 

 ceeded in performing the required duty, having surveyed a very safe 

 and convenient harbour on the east side, and ascertained that the so- 

 called Wollaston Island formed two islands. Leaving to the eastern- 

 most the name of Wollaston, I have given to the western the name of 

 Baily, after Francis Baily, Esq., the well-known Vice-President of the 

 Royal Society, as a small memento of the obligation the Expedition 

 and myself are under to him, for the great interest he took in the 

 equipments, and the kindness shown me while in London when pro- 

 curing the instruments. The harbour that lies between these two 

 islands was named after the Sea-Gull. A chart of it will be found in 

 the Hydrographical Atlas. Lieutenant Johnson was again transferred 

 to the Yincennes. On the 12th, the Flying-Fish arrived, bringing 

 news of the Peacock and their operations, which will be detailed in 

 the following chapter. 



VOL. I. 



