364 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



Strong gales yet continued. On the 5th, they had a faint display of 

 the aurora. 



On the 7th of February, the weather had become less boisterous, 

 and having reached latitude 49° S., longitude 155° 23' E., the aurora 

 australis again appeared. It was first seen in the north, and gradually 

 spread its coruscations over the whole heavens ; the rays and beams 

 of light radiating from nearly all points of the horizon to the zenith, 

 where their distinctive outlines were lost in a bright glow of light, 

 which was encircled by successive flashes, resembling those of heat 

 lightning on a sultry summer night; these formed a luminous arc in 

 the southern sky, about 20° in altitude, from the upper part of which, 

 rays were continually flashing towards the zenith ; light showers of 

 rain finally shut it out from view. On the same night, between one 

 and three, the aurora burst, out from the southwestern horizon, stream- 

 ing up and concentrating in the zenith, and attended with quick flashes 

 of every variety of tint. The wind was moderate from the southwest, 

 and a squall of hail passed at the time. In latitude 47° S. they first 

 encountered phosphorescence in the water. On the 17th they made the 

 land of New South Wales, and continued to experience a variety of 

 weather until the 21st, when they arrived off, and anchored within, the 

 Heads of Port Jackson. 



The next day they proceeded up the harbour, and anchored off 

 Sydney Cove. The ship was much shattered, but her officers and crew 

 all in good health. Here they were kindly received, and no time was 

 lost in proceeding to make the necessary repairs. The collector was 

 kind enough to give them permission to land every thing that might be 

 necessary, when and where they pleased. The powder and fire-works 

 were received into the public magazine, and when called for were 

 politely sent in a government boat, free of expense. The railway for 

 merchant-vessels was found too light to trust the Peacock upon it ; 

 Mossman's Cove, on the north shore, was then resorted to, not only as 

 a convenient place for making the necessary repairs, but as affording 

 more security for the crew against the crimps and rum-shops. 



The day after my arrival, I visited the Peacock, in order to examine 

 into her condition, and could not withhold my astonishment that she 

 had been able, after undergoing such damage, to reach a distant port. 

 The visible injuries have already been stated, in speaking of her acci- 

 dent. On their arrival at Sydney, it was found that her stem had been 

 chafed to within one and a half inches of her wood ends, and much 

 strained throughout. After a full examination of the circumstances, I 

 feel it a duty I owe to Captain Hudson, as well as to his officers and 



