The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-25

during the last gales Of wind, when the shin has
been surrounded with ice This number is not
large but Il Is necessary To state that the gene
raj health OF the crew is, in our opinion, decided
ly affected, and that under ordinary crcum-
stances the list would be very much increased,
while the men, under the present exigences, ac-
tuated by laudabe desire TO do their duty TO
the last, refrain from presenting themselves us
applicants for the list
Under these circumstances, we feel our
selves Obliged to report that, in our opinion,
few days more of such exposure as they have
already undergone would reduce the number of
the crew by sickness 10 such an extent rs 10
hazard the safety of the shp.and the lives of all
on board
After which, the surgeon being restored 10
duty, reported 10 me as follows:
= respectfully report that in my opinion, the
health OF the crew is materially affected by the
severe fatigue, want of sleep, and exposure to
the weather, 10 which they have lately been
subjected that continuance Of these hard
ships, even for short period, will entirely dis
qualify great number of men for their duty,
and that the necessary attention TO the health of
the crew and their future efficiency and useful
ness demand the immediate return Of the ship
TO a milder climate
Deeming il my duty, however, 10 persevere,
decided 10 continue, and steered again for the
land, which we had named the Antarctic Cont
nent.
We reached ii on the I'd of February, about
60 miles 10 the westward of the point first visi-
ted, where we found the coast lined with solid
perpendicular ice cliffs, preventing the possible
ty OF landing, and the same mountains trending
10 the westward. From thence we proceeded to
the westward along the ice barrier, which APP
peared TO make from the land, until the 3D., when
we again encountered severe gale from the
>. E. with thick weather and snow until the 18th
February, when il cleared up sufficiently to al
low us TO see our way clear and we again ap-
preached the perpendicular barrier of ice, SINH
lar to that which we had previously seen as at
tached to the land the same land being in sight
at great distance We stood along the barrier
about 20 miles to the westward, when it sud
denly trended to the southwark, and our further
progress south was arrested by solid barrier of
field ice. After an unsuccessful examination
for "a hours, In all directions, we continued 10
the westward along the barrier, as usual sur
rounded by ice islands.
On the 9Th and 10th (being on the 9Th in lon
gltude 1T deg min. east, latitude 65 deg 3,
min. south) we had similar appearances of dis
tant mountains, but the compact barrier extend
ing from east TO west by south prevented
nearer approach
On the night of the 9th February, being the
first clear night for some time, we witnessed the
aurora australis.
We continued, on the 10th and 1lth, west
ward, with southeast winds and fine weather,
close along the barrier, which was more com
pact, with immense islands Of ice enclosed with
in the field ice.
On the 18th, we again saw the distant noun
taihs, but were unable to effect a nearer APP
proach, being in longitude liz deg Is min. f..
latitude 81 deg. 81 min. S., and was again
compelled 10 go on the westward.
The ice barrier trending more TO the south
ward, induced me to hope that we should sue
ceed in approaching nearer the supposed line of
coast. On the 18th, at noon, we had reached
longitude LOT deg. rs min. latitude 65 deg III
min. S. with toleraby clear sea before us, and
the land plainly in sight continued pushing
through the ice until we We're stopped by the
fixed barrier about Is miles from the shore, and
with little or no prospect OF efectng landing.
hauled off for the short night, and the next
morning made another attempt al different
point, but was equally unsuccessful, being able
to approach only three or four miles nearer, as it
appeared perfectly impenetrable. Near us were
several icebergs, colored and stained with earth,
on one of which we landed, and obtained hume
rous specimens of sandstone, quartz, conglome-
rate and sand, some weighing hundred pounds.
This, ] am well satisfied, gave us more speci-
mems than could have been obtained from the
land itself, as we should no doubt have found it
covered with the ice and snow one hundred or
more feet in thickness. We obtained sup
ply Of fresh water from pond in the centre of
the same island. Our position was longitude
LOG deg. 40 min F.. latitude 65 deg. 81 min. S.
and upwards of 20 miles Of coast in sight, trend
ing the same as that we had previously seen
Although | had now reached the position
where our examinations Were TO terminate by
my instructions TO the squadron, | concluded to
proceed TO the westward along the barrier, which
continued to be much discoored by earth and
.x,T. Il. IL
ice land. A sea leopard was seen on the ice,
but the boats did not succeed in taking him,
On the 18th February, in longitude 81 deg.
80 min. f. latitude ga deg. s. land was again
seen al a great distance towards the southwest.
We now found ourselves closely embayed and
unable to proceed in westerly direction; the
ice barrier trendng around to the northward
and eastward, compelled us to retrace our steps.
We had entered deep gull on its southern side,
and it required four days beating along its north
ern shore to get out of it. During this time,
our position Was critical, the weather change
able, and little room in case of bad weather.
II fortunately held up until we found ourselves
again with clear sea to the northward.
The ice barrier had now trended to about six
tytwo degrees of latitude; the wind having set
in from the westward with dark weather, and
little prospect of seeing land or making much
progress 10 the westward prior to the LIST of
WATCH, tHtItDy HoSlIS tille which might De spent
to advantage for our whaling interests at New
Zealand, ! determined to proceed TO the north
on the evening of the 2lst,
There was brilliant appearance of the auro-
ra allstralis on the
18th February in long. 81 80 F.. lat ca 90 S.
Also, on the 22d in g 1903 80 F.. i" SO 10 S.
18th III 81 f. q SO 10 S.
And on the Isl March 1877 90 f.. % 40 80 $.
The result stated in this report leads me to the
following conclusions;