408 Arctic and Antarctic Exploration [partii 
January 30th they came in sight of an ice cliff, varj^ing 
in height from 100 to 150 feet, and forming a long line 
westwards. D'Urville gave it the name of the Cote Clarie. 
The French expedition bade a final farewell to the 
polar regions on February 1st, 1840, and returned to 
Hobart Town. Important discoveries had been made, 
officers and men all vieing with each other in zeal and 
loyalty. It was a well conducted and successful voyage. 
Dumont D'Urville had also previously surveyed part 
of the South Shetlands in 1838. He passed Clarence 
and Elephant Islands and, sailing down Bransfield Strait, 
discovered the north end of Graham Land without 
knowing it, which he named after Louis Philippe. An 
island to the east was named after the Prince de Joinville. 
He also saw a channel with the coast of Graham Land on 
one side, and Trinity with other islands on the other. To 
this he gave the name Orleans Channel. 
The American expedition was commanded by Captain 
Wilkes, its object being chiefly to explore the Pacific, in 
a voyage of circumnavigation. Captain Wilkes concluded 
it with a visit to the edge of the ice south of Australia, 
following in the wake of Captain Balleny and also of 
Captain Dumont D'Urville. 
The American squadron consisted of the Vincennes, 
Captain Wilkes, the Porpoise, Peacock, and Flying Fish 
tender. The tender parted companj^ in 48°S. and went 
back. The Peacock also returned owing to severe injuries 
received from the ice. The Vincennes and Porpoise 
continued the voyage and on the 16th January they 
were at the edge of the ice, nearly on the Antarctic Circle 
and in 154 0 30' E. Here land was reported by the Porpoise 
"mountains seen"; "two peaks distinctly seen, very 
clear, few clouds." Wilkes saw some land himself, and 
called it Ringgold's Knoll. Land was also visible from 
the Vincennes, "every appearance of land, believed to 
be such by all on board." All this was nevertheless a 
mistake, due to the deceptive appearance of ice and 
clouds. 
In 1850 Captain Tapsell, in a sealer called the Brisk, 
sighted the Balleny Islands and then sailed west to 
Long. 143 0 E., finding no land. It is now known that 
