ANTARCTIC CRUISE 283 



edly silent as to the time and date of its being first observed, now 

 speaks throughout of " the land." 



After leaving Sydney we had, until the 31st December,* fine 

 weather and favourable winds. We took advantage of these, and all 

 sail was crowded on the vessels of the squadron. At the above date we 

 had reached the latitude of 43° S. 



Under such circumstances, the usual order of sailing, in a line 

 abreast, was easily maintained, and the communications between the 

 vessels were frequent. On the 31st of December, I issued the sailing 

 instructions for the cruise, which will be found in Appendix XXV. 



During this favourable weather, all hands were employed in tighten- 

 ing the ports, in order to secure the interior of the vessels as much as 

 possible from the cold and wet, which were to be apprehended in the 

 region to which we were bound. For this purpose, after calking all 

 the openings, the seams were covered with tarred canvass, over which 

 strips of sheet-lead were nailed. The sailors exhibited great interest 

 in these preparations, and studiously sought to make every thing 

 snug ; all useless articles were stowed away in the hold, for we were 

 in truth full to overflowing, and places at other times sacred were now 

 crowded. 



It was fortunate that the weather for the first few days was so 

 favourable ; for so full was every place, that we had been compelled 

 to stow bread in the launch and cutter, and this in bulk ; for the 

 quantity was so much beyond that which had been carried on any 

 former occasion, that a sufficient number of bags were not to be had, 

 and in the hurry of its reception on board, time had not been found to 

 provide them. Every ounce of bread thus exposed was looked to with 

 solicitude, for there was a chance that all of it might be needed. 



Among other preparations, rough casings of boards were built 

 around all the hatches, having doors furnished with weights and 

 pulleys, in order to insure that they should not be left open. Having 

 thus provided for the exclusion of cold air, I contented myself with 

 preparations for keeping the interior of the vessel at a temperature no 

 higher than 50°. I deemed this preferable to a higher temperature, in 

 order to prevent the injurious effects which might be produced by 

 passing suddenly from below to the deck. I conceived it far more 

 important to keep the air dry than warm, particularly as a lower 

 temperature would have the effect of inducing the men to take exercise 

 for the purpose of exciting their animal heat. 



* During the 29th, 30th, and 31st December, the sea was very phosphorescent ; tempera- 

 ture 5£°. 



