APPENDIX. 471 



the extreme, from the vast numbers of icebergs, and quantities of floe 

 and drift-ice, surrounding the brig at the time. 



On the afternoon of the 30th, at 3 h 45 m , a ship was discovered 

 ahead ; at 3 h 50 m , another appeared in company ; being in latitude 64° 

 52' 30" S., and longitude 135° 27' E. I determined to speak them : 

 supposing them to be the Vincennes and Peacock ; at 4 h made them 

 out to be standing to the northward, under easy sail, and discovered 

 them to be strangers ; at 4 h 30 ra hoisted our colours, knowing that an 

 expedition under Captain Ross was expected in these seas, I took 

 them to be his ships, and stood ready to cheer the discoverer of the 

 North Magnetic Pole. At 4 h 50 m , having gained considerably upon 

 them, and being within I suppose a mile and a half, the strangers 

 showed French colours, the leeward and sternmost displaying a broad 

 pennant; and concluded they were the French discovery ships under 

 Captain D'Urville. 



Desirous of speaking, and exchanging the usual and customary 

 compliments incident to naval life, I closed with them, designing to 

 pass within hail under the flag-ship's stern. When within short 

 musket-shot, my intentions too evident to excite a doubt, so far from a 

 reciprocity being evinced, I saw, with surprise, sail made on board 

 the flag-ship. Without a moment's delay, I hauled down my colours 

 and bore upon my course. 



On the morning of the 31st, at 8 a. m., I found myself completely 

 embayed in an immense gulf, with a field of table-ice one hundred and 

 fifty feet high, bearing to the northward, and from east to west so far 

 as eye could discern. After consuming the day in trending to wind- 

 ward, I passed out along its eastern margin without accident. 



In my progress and examinations, I obtained frequent specimens of 

 sandstone, granite, and red clay, from the field and floe-ice. 



I gained the meridian of 105° E., on the 12th of February, latitude 

 64° 54' S. ; the weather was at intervals misty, affording little oppor- 

 tunity for observation ; many strong indications of land presented 

 themselves. The barrier assumed a dark discoloured appearance, 

 with numerous stratified veins of earth and rocks, and with lofty and 

 conical peaks, remotely placed along its southern portion ; the impres- 

 sion of land, surrounded and covered by field-ice, was often strongly 

 urged. Penguins and seals were seen, and in my anxiety to land and 

 convince my mind, I was embayed in a narrow and dangerous inlet, 

 which, with the aid of a strong southeast wind, was cleared in safety 

 ere night closed in. 



The wind easterly and the weather becoming clear, the occasion 



