320 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



report of the medical officers. Notwithstanding these opinions, I was 

 not satisfied that there was sufficient cause to change my original 

 determination of passing along to the appointed rendezvous ; and after 

 full consideration of the matter, I came to the conclusion, at whatever 

 hazard to ship and crew, that it was my duty to proceed, and not 

 give up the cruise until the ship should be totally disabled, or it should 

 be evident to all that it was impossible to persist any longer. In 

 bringing myself to this decision, I believe that I viewed the case on all 

 sides with fairness, and allowed my duty to my country, my care for 

 those whom it had committed to my charge, and my responsibility to 

 the world, each to have its due weight. 



The weather now moderated, and I ordered sail to be made. The 

 2d of February found us about sixty miles to the westward of Piner's 

 Bay, steering to the southward, and as usual among ice-islands, with 

 the land in sight. The land had the same lofty appearance as before. 

 We stood in until 3 p. m., when we were within two and a half miles 

 of the icy cliffs by which the land was bounded on all sides. These 

 were from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet in height, quite 

 perpendicular, and there was no appearance whatever of rocks ; all 

 was covered with ice and snow. A short distance from us to the 

 westward was a long range of icebergs aground, which, contrary to 

 the usual appearance, looked much weather-beaten. We tried for 

 soundings, but did not get any with one hundred and fifty fathoms, 

 although the water was much discoloured. The badness of the deep- 

 sea line was a great annoyance to us, for deeper soundings would pro- 

 bably have obtained bottom. No break in the icy barrier, where a 

 foot could be set on the rocks, was observable from aloft. The land 

 still trended to the westward as far as the eye could reach, and con- 

 tinued to exhibit the same character as before. Our longitude now 

 was 137° 02' E., latitude 66° 12' S. : we found the magnetic declina- 

 tion westerly. 



This proved a fine day, so that we had an opportunity of airing the 

 men's bedding, of ventilating the ship, and of getting rid of the ice, 

 with which we were much encumbered. The thermometer varied 

 from 33° to 36°. Our sick-list had increased the last few days to 

 twenty; many of the men were affected with boils, which rendered 

 them comparatively useless; and ulcers, which were caused by the 

 least scratch, were exceedingly prevalent ; but their food was good, 

 they had plenty of it, and their spirits were excellent. The high land 

 was seen this afternoon, but the barrier along which we were passing 

 prevented any nearer approach. This evening it was perceptible that 

 the days were becoming shorter, which was a new source of anxiety, 



