The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-23
VOL. I....NO. 81.

Dlllty oil landing, and the same mountains tehe-
ing to the westward. From thence we proceee-
ed to the westward along the ice barrier, which
appeared to make from the land, until the Sd,
when we again encountered severe gale from
the =. E. with thick weather and snow until the
Sth February, when it cleared up sufficiently to
allow us to see our way clear, and we again APP
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 a great distance. We stood along the barrier
about 20 miles to the westward, when it suddenly
tended to the southwark, and our further pro-
gress south was arrested by solid barrier OF
field ice After an unsuccessful examination for
"a hours, in all directions, we continued to the
westward along the barrier, as usual surrounded
by ice islands.
On the Sth and 10th (being on the Sth in lon
gitude 127 east, latitude 60 south) we had
similar appearances of the distant mountains,
but the compact barrier extending 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 18th westward,
with southeast winds and fine weather, close
along the barrier, which was more compact,
with immense islands of ice enclosed within the
field ice.
On the 18th, we again saw the distant noun
tains, but were unable to effect a nearer ap-
preach, being in longitude 112 16 E., latitude ga
81 S, and was again compelled to go on to the
westward.
The ice barrier tending more to the southwark,
| induced me to hope that we should again sue
coed in approach ng nearer the supposed line OF
coast. On the 18th, at noon, we had reached
longitude 107 As latitude, IS IL S., with toll
erably clear sea before us, and the land plainly
in 81 ght. l continued pushing through the ice
until we were stopped by the fixed barrier about
fifteen miles from the shore, and with little or no
prospect of efectlng landing.
| hauled off for the short night, and the next
morning made another attempt at 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 icebcrgs, coloTed ard stained with
earth, on one of which we landed, and obtained
numerous specimens of sand stone, quartz, con-
| glomerate and sand, some weighing hundred
pounds. This, am well satisfied, gave us more
! specimens than could have boon 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 a supply
of fresh water from pond in the centre OF the
same island Our position longitude lOb
AZ E., latitude 65 81 S.; and upwards of seven
ty miles of coast in sight, tending the same as
that we had previously seen.
Although had now reached the position where
our examinations were to terminate by my in
structions to the squadron, concluded to pro
coed to the westward along the barrier, which
continued to be much dIscolored by earth, and
specimens of rock, sc. were obtained from an ice
island. sea leopard was seen on the ice, but
the boats sent did not succeed in taking him.
On the 18th February, in long. 81 3O b. lat
| Ga S., land was again seen at great distance
| toward the southwest We now found ourselves
| closely embayed, and unable to proceed III wes-
terly direction; the ice barrier tending around to
the northward and eastward, compelled us to re-
/ trace our steps. We had entered deep gull
| on its southern side, and it required four days
beating along its northern shore to get out OF it.
During this time position was critical, the
weather changeable, and little room in case OF
bad weather 1t fortunately held up until we
found ourselves again with clear sea to the
Horthward
The ice barrier had now trended to about 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 pro-
gress to the westward prior to the list OF March,
thereby losing time which might be spent to adj
vantage for our whaling interests at New Zea-
land determined to proceed to the north on the
evening of the 2lst.
There was brilliant appearance OF the aurora
australis on the
17th February, in long. 81 80 E., lat. GA 90 S.
Also, on the 22d, in GO 1o3 80 e., 5S ~ 5.
| g 9th. GO III 81 f., Z" So 90 s.
| And on LIST March, g 1877 90 E., I" 40 40 S
The result stated in this report leads me tothe
| following conclusions:
Ist From our discoveries of the land through
forty degrees of long. and the observations made
during this interesting cruise, with the slmliar-
| ity of formation and position of the ice during
o,,r close examination of it. consider that there
can scarcely be doubt of the existence OF the Ant
| arctic continent, extending the whole distance
| of 20 degrees fl ON East to West.
ID. That different points of the land are at
times free from the ice barrier
Cd That they are frequented by seal, many OF
,,,or, s,an and offer enterprlsIno
countrymen engaged in those pursuits, field OF
large extent for their future operations.
ith That the large NUMBER of whales, of diff
ferent species, seen, and the quantity of food for
them, would designate this coast as place of
great resort for them. The I'M backed whale
seemed to predominant.
We proceeded on our cruise to the northward
and eastward, with strong gales, uHtil we reach
ed the latitude OF certain islands, laid down on
the charts as the Royal Company's islands, about
six degrees to the westward OF their supposed
locality then stood on their parallel and passed
over their supposed site, but we saw nothing of
them. or any indication of land In the vicinity.
feel confident, as far respects their existence
in or near the longitude parallel assigned
them, to assert that they do not exist.
The last ice island was seen in 81 deg south.
A few specimens of natura. history were obtain
ed and preserved during the cruise.
As conceive it would be unbecoming in me.
TO speak of our arduous services, the report and
accompanying chart of our cruise must speak Tor
us; but cannot close this report without bring
ing to YOUR notice the high estimation in which
| hold the conduct of the officers, seamen and
marines, during this antartic cruise, the manner
and shirt Together with the GOODNESS and alac-
r;tv with which they have met the dangers and
performed their duties. trust that they will
receive from the Government some gratifying
notice of it. All can say in their favor would
fail far short of what they deserve.
I shall ever bear testimony that they have
proved themselves worthy of the high character
borne by our countrymen, and the navy to which
they belong.
have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully,
your obedient servant,
Com'dg. exploring expedition OF the Y. Q.
To the Hon. JAMES K. PAUIDING, 80.