286 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



not exist in the locality where it is laid down. We again experienced 

 the southeast current of twenty miles a day. Our variation had in- 

 creased to twenty-two degrees easterly. Making our course with all 

 sail set, the Porpoise in company, we passed to-day some pieces of 

 kelp. The temperature continued at 38°. Numerous flocks of gray 

 petrels around us. 



The 10th we encountered the first iceberg, and the temperature of 

 the water fell to 32°. We passed close to it, and found it a mile long, 

 and one hundred and eighty feet in height. We had now reached the 

 latitude of 61° 08' S., and longitude 162° 32' E. The current to-day 

 set in the same direction as before, about half a mile per hour. The 

 second iceberg seen was thirty miles, and the third about fifty-five 

 miles south of the first. These ice-islands were apparently much 

 worn by the sea into cavities, exhibiting fissures as though they were 

 ready to be rent asunder, and showed an apparent stratification, much 

 inclined to the horizon. The weather now became misty, and we had 

 occasionally a little snow. I congratulated myself that we had but 

 few on the sick-list, and all were in high spirits at the novelty of the 

 cruise. We continued to meet icebergs of different heights, some of 

 which, though inclined to the horizon, had a plane upper surface. 



11th. The fair wind from the northwest, (accompanied with a light 

 mist, rendering objects on the horizon indistinct,) still enabled us to 

 pursue our course southerly. Icebergs became so numerous as to 

 compel us occasionally to change our course. They continued of the 

 same character, with caverns worn in their perpendicular sides, and 

 with flat tops, but the latter were now on a line with the horizon. 

 Towards 6 p. m., we began to perceive smaller pieces of ice, some of 

 which were not more than an eighth of a mile in length, floating as it 

 were in small patches. As the icebergs increased in number, *the sea 

 became smoother, and there was no apparent motion. Between 8 and 

 9 p. M., a low point of ice was perceived ahead, and in a short time 

 we passed within it. There was now a large bay before us. As the 

 vessels moved rapidly, at 10| p. m. we had reached its extreme limits, 

 and found our further progress entirely stopped by a compact barrier 

 of ice, enclosing large square icebergs. The barrier consisted of 

 masses closely packed, and of every variety of shape and size. We 

 hove-to until full daylight. The night was beautiful, and every thing 

 seemed sunk in sleep, except the sound of the distant and low rustling 

 of the ice, that now and then met the ear. We had now reached the 

 latitude of 64° 11' S., longitude 164° 30' E., and found our variation 

 twenty-two degrees easterly. One and all felt disappointed, for we had 

 flattered ourselves that the way was open for further progress to the 



