APPENDIX. 455 



pearing, as from accounts frequently takes place in the Arctic Ocean. 

 Your time, being unlimited, will allow you to wait some days in a 

 situation to make experiments. 



I frequently found myself so closely beset that I thought it next to 

 impossible to escape, and if the wind had not been extremely constant 

 in its direction, I should have been shut up or much injured ; as it 

 was, I escaped with scarcely a scratch, although we took some heavy 

 thumps. 



The charts will show you the tracks and state of the ice. It was 

 constructed as I went on, and the ice-islands laid down by carefully- 

 kept diagrams by the officer of the deck during his watch. This I 

 found gave me more confidence in proceeding, and facilities in case of 

 having to return. 



Magnetic Pole. — I consider we have approached very near to the 

 pole. Our dip was 87° 30' S., and the compasses on the ice very 

 sluggish ; this was in longitude 147° 30' E., and latitude 67° 04' S. 

 Our variation, as accurately as it could be observed on the ice, we 

 made 12° 30' E. It was difficult to get a good observation, on account 

 of the sluggishness of our compasses. About one hundred miles to the 

 westward, we crossed the magnetic meridian. 



The pole, without giving you accurate deductions, I think my obser- 

 vations will place in about latitude 70° S., and longitude 140° E. 



On the meridian of 140° E., you will find a small bay, partly formed 

 by ice-islands and rocks, which I have named Piner's Bay, and I think 

 among the rocks you may find a snug little harbour. I was driven 

 out of the bay by a gale of wind ; sounding about one and a half 

 miles from the shore in thirty fathoms. The icebergs being aground, 

 form good shelters ; but I was too much exposed to venture to remain, 

 and my object was to trace the land and the icy barrier, which I have 

 done, as you will see it laid down on my chart. 



We had delightful and clear weather ten days or a fortnight along 

 the coast, w r ith the wind at from southeast to south-southwest ; the two 

 latter points particularly. The drift-ice is in large pieces, so large as 

 to give a ship an awkward thump ; but when I found it tolerably open 

 I have run through it to get to clear water, and in hopes of making the 

 land, but our progress was soon stopped by the firm barrier, impene- 

 trable, through which there is no passing. 



I am of opinion that there is little movement of the ice during the 

 season. Strong gales may change its position a trifle, but I think not 

 materially. 



The only prospect of nearing the land is through a sea well studded 

 with large icebergs, nearly thirty or forty miles in width ; and I 



