THE AURORA'S DRIFT 
August 2 to 6 was one hundred miles, and from the 6th to the 
10th eighty-eight miles. 
" August 12. — By observation and bearings of land we are 
forty-five miles north-east of Cape Adare, in lat. 70° 42' S. 
This position is a little to the eastward of the position on the 
10th. The bearings as laid off on a small scale chart of gnomonic 
projection are very inaccurate, and here we are handicapped, 
as our chronometers have lost all regularity. Donolly and 
Grady are having quite a job with the iron platings on the 
rudder, but should finish the cutting to-morrow. A jury-rudder 
is nearly completed. This afternoon we mixed some concrete 
for the lower part, and had to use boiKng water, as the water 
froze in the mixing. The carpenter has made a good job of 
the rudder, although he has had to construct it on the quarter- 
deck in low temperatures and exposed to biting blasts. 
"August 16.— We are 'backing and filling' about forty 
miles north-east of Cape Adare. This is where we expected to 
have made much mileage. However, we cannot giumble and 
must be patient. There was much mirage to the northward, 
and from the crow's-nest a distinct appearance of open water 
could be seen stretching from north-north-west to north-east. 
" August 17.— A glorious day ! Land is distinctly visible, 
and to the northward the black fringe of water-sky over the 
horizon hangs continuously. Hooke heard Macquarie Island 
' speaking ' Hobart. The message heard was the finish of the 
weather reports. We have hopes now of news in the near 
future. 
" August 23.— Saw the land in the vicinity of Cape North. 
To the south-south- west the white cliffs and peaks of the inland 
ranges were very distinct, and away in the distance to the 
south-west could be seen a low stretch of undulating land. At 
times Mount Sabine was visible through the gloom. The latitude 
is 69° 44|' S. We are fifty-eight miles north, forty miles east 
of Cape North. 
" August 24.— We lifted the rudder out of the ice and placed 
it clear of the stern, athwart the fore-and-aft line of the ship. 
We had quite a job with it (weight, foiur and a half tons), using 
treble- and double-sheaved blocks purchase, but with the endless- 
X 321 
