SOUTH 
feet high. The blocks of ice as they broke off crumbled and piled 
over each other to the accompaniment of a thunderous roar. 
Throughout the day the pressure continued, the floes alternately 
opening and closing, and the ship creaking and groaning during 
the nips between floes. 
August 4. — For nine days we have had southerly winds, 
and the last four we have experienced howhng bhzzards. I am 
sick of the sound of the infernal wind. Din ! din ! din ! and 
darkness. We should have seen the sun to-day, but a bank of 
cumulus effectually hid him, although the daylight is a never- 
ending joy. 
" August 6. — The wind moderated towards 6 a.m., and 
about breakfast-time, with a clear atmosphere, the land from 
near Cape Cotter to Cape Adare was visible. What a day of 
delights ! After four days of thick weather we find ourselves 
in sight of Cape Adare in a position about forty -five miles east 
of Possession Isles ; in this time we have been set one hundred 
miles. Good going. Mount Sabine, the first land seen by us 
when coming south, lies away to the westward, forming the 
highest peak (10,000 ft.) of a majestic range of mountains 
covered in eternal snow. Due west Ave can see the Possession 
Islands, lying under the stupendous bluff of Cape Downshire, 
which shows large patches of black rock. The land slopes 
down to the north-west of Cape Downshire, and rises again 
into the high peninsula about Cape Adare. We felt excited 
this morning in anticipation of seeing the svm, which rose 
about nine-thirty (local time). It was a glorious, joyful sight. 
We drank to something, and with very light hearts gave cheers 
for the sun. 
August 9. — ^Donolly got to work on the rudder again. It 
is a long job cutting through the iron sheathing-plates of the 
rudder, and not too safe at present, as the ice is treacherous. 
Hooke says that the conditions are normal now, I wish for 
his sake that he could get through. He is a good sportsman 
and keeps on trying, although, I am convinced, he has little 
hope with this inadequate aerial. 
" August 10.— The ship's position is lat. 70° 40' S., forty 
miles north 29"^ east of Cape Adare. The distance drifted from 
320 
