346 



ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



-&. 3- .A. LIE. 



3d. A gale from southeast, heavy sea rising ; occasionally passing 

 ice-islands and field-ice. The gale continued throughout the day, but 

 moderated towards midnight ; the sea was heavy, the weather thick, 

 and the brig completely covered with ice and snow. The barometer 

 fell to 28-040 in. Temperature of the air 32°- 



4th. Although the wind was moderate, yet it was so thick and foggy 

 as to preclude bearing up. Towards meridian it cleared sufficiently 

 for them to bear up and continue their examinations. To day the 

 current was found west-northwest, three quarters of a mile per hour. 



On the 5th they had a beautiful day, — no climate or region, Lieu- 

 tenant-Commandant Ringgold remarks, could have produced a finer: 

 this gave them an opportunity of thoroughly drying every thing and 

 ventilating the vessel, which was much required; standing to the 

 northward, in order to make a long board to the westward ; the longi- 

 tude 127° 08' E., latitude 63° 22' S. ; few ice-islands in sight, and 

 those appeared much worn, showing marks of rapid decay, with 

 isolated pieces, — some standing erect, while others were inclined, 

 resembling fragments of columns and broken arches. This night 

 there was a brilliant display of the aurora australis : at eleven o'clock 

 there was perceived in the northern horizon a luminous arched cloud, 



