424 Arctic and Antaixtic Exploration [part 11 
out again, after reaching 71 0 30' S. A gale sprang up 
with a heavy snow-fall, the sea was running very high, 
and the thick weather caused continual apprehension of 
collision with one of the numerous bergs. It was a 
fearful night, and next day there was not the least miti- 
gation of the force of the gale. Sir James expressed his 
admiration at the seamanlike manner in which Captain 
Crozier and the officers of the Terror kept their station 
in the face of such difficulties, and at the vigilance, 
activity, and cool courage of Commander Bird. 
The third Antarctic voyage of Sir James Ross was 
now drawing to a close, and he resolved to shape his course 
for the Cape of Good Hope. On the 4th April, 1843, the 
two ships anchored in Simon's Bay, close to the Win- 
chester, flag-ship of Admiral Percy. There was not a 
single individual in either ship on the sick list. Refitting, 
refreshing the crew, and comparing instruments occupied 
the time until the end of the month, and on April 30th 
the voyage home was commenced. The ships arrived at 
Woolwich and were paid off in September, 1843. 
In the conduct of these Antarctic voyages by Sir 
James Ross the first thing that strikes one is his extra- 
ordinary skill in ice navigation, his fearlessness and 
resolution. Very few captains would have persevered, 
in the face of such imminent dangers, in the long struggle 
with the pack for forty days ; but Sir James was deter- 
mined to examine the further end of the great ice barrier, 
and nothing could stop him. In the collision close to 
the icebergs, under circumstances of appalling danger, 
this great commander showed a seamanlike skill, a pre- 
sence of mind, and a quickness of decision such as has 
never been surpassed. These rare gifts and his unfailing 
nerve saved the ship. His next great quality was his 
perseverance in conducting the magnetic observations, 
his unceasing care in taking every opportunity to secure 
advantageous positions for observing, and in obtaining 
accuracy. He took the same care as regards meteoro- 
logical observations, deep sea soundings, and tidal ob- 
servations 1 . He was most attentive in promoting the 
1 Sir Joseph Hooker told me that Sir James was not only an accurate 
observer, but also a good collector, taking the deepest interest in the 
geological and biological researches. 
