398 APPENDIX. 



all on board, and you have an ample supply of provisions, clothing, 

 preserved meats, antiscorbutics, &c. 



Wishing you a safe and successful cruise, 



I am, &c, 



Lieutenant R. E. Johnson, 



In charge of Tender Sea-Gull. 



Charles Wilkes, 

 Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



XXVII. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 

 Orange Harbour, Terra del Fuego, 

 February 22d, 1839. 

 Sir, — 



The tender Flying-Fish, placed under your charge, will be attached 

 to the Peacock, and under the orders of Captain Hudson, during the 

 present cruise. 



1st. I cannot impress too strongly on your mind the necessity of 

 avoiding, under any circumstances, parting company with the Peacock, 

 as the safety of all on board that vessel may be hazarded thereby; 

 every means will be taken therefore to prevent a separation. 



2d. You will keep a strict daily journal of every occurrence relative 

 to your co-operations with that vessel. 



3d. A skeleton chart is furnished you, comprising the latitudes and 

 longitudes in which you will cruise, and on which chart an accurate 

 track must be laid down of the route, daily; also, the positions of all 

 land, islands of ice, &c, which may be observed. Astronomical bear- 

 ings, when the weather will permit, are preferable for this purpose. 



4th. You will also enter on your journal, the variation of the 

 compass, morning and evening; sketches of refractions, and minute 

 observations of all phenomena that may be seen ; also, sketches of the 

 stratification of ice, temperature of the water on the weather and lee 

 sides of the islands, the form and direction of currents, and the 

 apparent formation of the ice ; also, the collection and preservation of 

 any stones, specimens of earth, &c, that may be discovered on the 

 ice, and the appearance of any halos, auroras australis, &c. 



5th. If you should unfortunately be separated from the Peacock, the 

 following rendezvous are fixed by Captain Hudson, for meeting again, 

 if possible : 



1st. Latitude 62° S., longitude 80° W., to wait half a day. 

 2d. " 64° " 90° " one 



3d. " 65° " 100° " " " 



4th. " 66° " 105° « 



