244 SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
ruary 22nd they celebrated Washington's birthday, re- 
ceived a number of compliments from the captain on 
their good behaviour, and, what comes nearer to Jack's 
heart, an extra allowance. On the 24th, after having 
occasionally sighted the barrier, Ringgold felt that he 
had fulfilled his commission and being then in 64° 29' S., 
126° E., he turned the brig's head northward. The 
Auckland Islands were sighted on March 5th and on the 
7th the Porpoise dropped anchor in the harbour of 
Sarah's Bosom, where the sailors revelled on the limpets 
and fish. After a short stay the Porpoise left and 
reached the Bay of Islands on March 26th, finding the 
little Flying Fish there before her. 
The Flying Fish had been lost sight of by the squad- 
ron on the outward cruise on New Years' Day long be- 
fore reaching the ice. The little schooner had had a 
mishap with her sails causing her to fall behind. She 
had proceeded according to instructions to the two first 
rendezvous without meeting the other vessels, and on Jan- 
uary 2 1st she had reached the icy barrier in 65° 20' S. 
I 59 ° 36' E. On the 23rd rocks had been seen in 65° 
58' S., 1 57 0 49' E. so closely beset by ice that it was im- 
possible to approach them. Until February 5th she 
continued to cruise amongst the ice, encountering sev- 
eral gales and having a number of men on the sick list. 
As the crew was reduced by illness it was impossible to 
reef the mainsail and more than once the schooner had 
to lay-to with full canvas which caused her to labour 
frightfully and leak to an alarming degree. Everything 
below deck was wet and when the pumps were stopped 
for a short time the water reached the cabin floor. The 
men sent a letter to Lieutenant Pinkney, who was in 
command for the cruise, pointing out the deplorable 
