The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-07-29

succeed in approaching nearer the supposed
line of coast. On the 18th at noon, we had
reached long. l07d As m. lat. 65d I'm S. with
a tolerably clear sea before US, and the land
plainly 10 sic hi. ! contnued pushing through
the ice Eniil we were stopped by the fixed bar
rier about fifteen miles from the shore, and
with little or no prospect Of efiecting landing
hauled off for the short night. and The next
morning made another, attempt at different
point, bet was equally unsuccessful. being able
to approach only three or four miles nearer. as
il appeared perfectly impenetrabe. Near US
were several iceberes. colored and stained with
earth on one of which we landed and obtained
numerous specimens Of sand stone. quartz.
CON Dglomerafe and sand, some weighing an
hundred pounds This, am well satisfied,
gave us more specimens than could have been
obfained from the land itself as we should no
doubt have lound il covered with the ice and
snow one hundred or more feet in thick ckness.-
We obtained supply Of fresh water from q
! pond in the centre Of the same Island. Our
position was long, l06d 40m. f.. lat. 65d. 57m.
3. and upwards Of seventy miles Of coast m
sight, trending the Same as that we had pre-
viously seen.
! Although | had now reached the position
where our examinations were 10 terminate by
my Instructions TO the squadron, | concluded
to proceed to the westward along the barrier.
which continued to be much dlscOlored by
earth. and specimens Of rock. &c. were obtain
ed from an ice Island sea leopard was seen
oo the ice. but the boats sent did not succeed
in taking him.
i On the I7th February, in Long. SD 30m f..
lat Gid 5. land was again seen at a great DIS
tance towards the southwest. We now found
ourselves closely emhayed, and unable TO pro-
-. fl.. ..a harrt
treDdlng around to the nor,hwasd and eastward.
/ compelled us TO re,race our steps. We had
entered deep gulf on its southern side, and II
required four days beating along its nOthern
shore TO get out Of it, During this time our
position was critical. the weather changeable,
aud little room in case Of bad weather. Ii for
tunately held up until we found ourselves again
with clear sea TO the norhward.
The ice barrier had now trended 10 abont
sixty two degrees of latitude; the wind having
set in from the westward with dark weather.
and little prospect Of seeing the land or making
much progress TO the westward prior TO the lst
Of March, thereby losing time which might be
spent to advantage for 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 austfas on tho
| 18th February, in long. 91d 39m f. lat 61d Dom s
Also, on the 22d in +" lO3d BON f.. SD i0m
25lh ND 3Im f.. A." SD 00m {"
And on the Ist March I37d Dom L. 4" 49d Bonn 8"
| The result stated in this report leads me to
the following conclusions:
1st From our discoveries of the land through
! forty degrees OF long. aud ths observations made
during this interesting cruise, with the similar
ity of formation and position of the ice during
our close examination Of il. ! consider there can
scarcely be doubt Of the existence of the An
tarctc continent, extending the whole distance
! OF seventy degrees from East to West.
ID. That different points OF the land are at
times free from the ice barrier
! Sd. That they are tr.qnented by seal, many
of which were seen. and offer TO enrcrrris-
| ing countrynen engaged in those pursuits, q
field of large extent for iuiure operations.
! 4ih. That the large number of whales, Of
different species, seen, md the ruaniiIy of food
for them, would designate this coas, rs place
Of great rosor, for them. The fin bncked whale
seemed TO predominant.
+, We proceeded on our cruise 10 the nOrthward
and eastward with strong gales. until we reach
4 ed the latitude Of certain islands laid down on
= the charts MS the Royal Company's islands, a.
I bout six degrees TO the westward Of their sup
= posed locality / then stood on their parallel
= and passed over their supposed site, but we saw
C nothing OF them or any indication OF land IN
= the ptcI0fy. feel comment. as Idf rs respects
I their existence in or near the longitude or par
r alleI assigned them, to assert that they do not
= exist.
The last ice island was seen in latitude sid
South A few specimens of natural history
, were obtained and preserved during the crnisc.
= As conceive it would be pnbecoming in me
10 speak Of our arduous services, the report and
accompanying chart Of our cruise must speak
for MS; bnt cannot close this report without
= bringing to your notice the high estimation in
( which hold the conduct of the officers. sea-
D men, aud marines during this antarctic cruise.
] the manner and spirit, together with the cool
ness and alscrity with which they have met the
D dangers and performed their duties. | trust
that they will receive from the Government
!. some gratifying notice of it. All can say in
Y their fovor would fall far short Of what they de
c serve.
n | shall ever bear testimony that they have
l. proved themselves worthy of the hsh character
y borne by our countrymen aud the navy to which
l. they belong.
II have the honor 10 be, sir, most respectfully
: your obedieut servant.
@ CHARLES WILKES.
Com'dg Exploring Expedition Of the u. :
= To the Hon. James X. Pauldins.
n Secretary Of the Navy, Washington City.
o
STATE or TnApE.--Men are apt to be i'm
1t pressed too deeply with present events. Bu