SOUTHERN CRUISE. 151 



icebergs in numbers. The temperature of the water and air had fallen 

 to 33° and 32°. 



On the 15th and 16th they had very many icebergs as their compa- 

 nions, mostly of fantastic shapes, much worn and broken, — disagree 

 able weather, with snow-squalls passing over. A continued twilight 

 in the horizon and slight appearances of the aurora were seen, but no 

 rays. 



They encountered, during the 17th, and part of the 18th, the 

 heaviest gale and sea they had experienced since leaving the United 

 States. The thermometer in the air stood at 21° of Fahrenheit, and 

 in the water at 28°. The ship was completely coated with ice, even 

 to the gun-deck. Every spray thrown over her froze, and her bows 

 and deck were fairly packed with it. The crew suffered much from 

 the gun-deck being constantly wet; and it being now covered with ice, 

 the ship was damp throughout. 



On the 18th, the gale continued, with a heavy sea, the winds prevail- 

 ing more from the south and south-southeast. There were many birds 

 about the ship ; among them a sheath-bill, which Mr. Peale made 

 every exertion to take, but without success. A blue petrel was, 

 however, caught. Several icebergs were in sight, and at night they 

 had a beautiful display of the aurora australis, extending from south- 

 southwest to east. The rays were of many colours, radiating towards 

 the zenith, and reaching an altitude of 30°. Several brilliant meteors 

 were also observed. 



Hot coffee was now served to the crew at midnight, or at relieving 

 of the watch, which proved exceedingly acceptable. The temperature 

 of the air had fallen to 22°, and of the water to 28°. 



On the 19th they had another display of the aurora, and it exhibited 

 a peculiar effect. In the southern quarter there was an appearance of 

 a dense cloud, resembling a shadow cast upon the sky, and forming 

 an arch, about 10° in altitude. Above this were seen coruscations of 

 light, rendering all objects around the ship visible. From behind this 

 cloud, diverging rays frequently shot up to an altitude of from 25° to 

 45°. These appearances continued until day dawned. The night was 

 remarkably fine, and many shooting stars were observed. The 

 barometer stood at 29*77 in. During the afternoon of this day, a fog- 

 bank was perceived in the southwestern quarter, and they were a 

 short time afterwards completely enveloped in a fog so dense and 

 thick, that they could not see twice the length of the ship. Fortu- 

 nately, before it closed in, they were enabled to get good bearings of 

 the different icebergs in sight, and particularly of those which closely 

 surrounded them. 



