222 SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
The Porpoise and Sea Gull encountered the first ice- 
islands on March 1st, and later in the day sighted the 
northern islands of the South Shetland group. The 
weather for several days was so thick that it was im- 
possible to attempt a landing. Smoke was seen issuing 
from the sides of Bridgeman Island, and a strong sul- 
phurous smell was noticed as the ships passed. On March 
3rd, Wilkes fixed the position of “ the eastern extremity 
of Palmer’s Land or Mount Hope ” in 63° 25' S., 5 7 0 55' 
W., a position corresponding to that of the Mont d’Urville 
of the French expedition, which had visited these waters 
the year before, of whose proceedings Wilkes, of course, 
could have had no information. The land was closely 
beset by ice and the American ships were obliged to keep 
clear of it. The weather continued abominable and the 
conditions of life on board were wretched : 
“ A strong gale now set in from the southward and 
westward. The brig’s deck was covered with ice and 
snow, and the weather became excessively damp and 
cold. The men were suffering, not only from want of 
sufficient room to accommodate the numbers in the 
vessel, but from the inadequacy of the clothing with 
which they had been supplied. Although purchased by 
the government at great expense, it was found to be 
entirely unworthy the service, and inferior in every 
way to the samples exhibited. This was the case with 
all the articles of this description that were provided 
for the Expedition.” 
The gale continuing, determined Wilkes to give up 
all idea of keeping on to the southward and on March 
5th, he ordered the Sea Gull to touch at Deception 
Island and return to Orange Harbour ; while he 
intended to visit the site of the phantom Aurora 
