Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-07-20
After which, the surgeon being restored to duty,

'' con innance o these hardships, even for very
snort period will entirely disqualiiy great number
Oh men Tor their duty, and that the necessary aten-
non 10 the health OF the crew and their future ELI
cieney and usefulness, demands the immediate re-
turn OF the ship TO milder climate"
Deeming il my duty, howe YER t. perse vers de-
cided to continue, and steered again for the laad,
which we had named the Antarctic Con iaent.
We reached Il on the I'd Of February about co
miles to the westward Of the point first visited
whore we found the coast lined with solid perpendicu
l7r ice clifis, preventing the possibility Of landing
and the same mountains tending to the westward -
From epce we proceeded to the westward along
the ice barrier, which appeared to make from the
land, until the third, when we again encountered a
severe gale from the S. Z with thick weather and
snow un'li the 9TH February, when it cleared up suf
hcien'iy To allow us to see our way clear, and we
asas approached the perpendicular barrier Of ice,
similar TO that which we had previously seen as at
tached 10 the land; the same laad being in sig Int at
great distance. we stood along the barrier about
40 mIles to the westward when 1t suddenl, tended
to The southwark and our farther progress south
arrested by sol barrier Of Geld ice After nm nm
successful examination fer "A hours in ali directions,
we continued to the westward along the barrier as
usual surrounded by ice islands
Ga the Sth ami 10th. (being ON the Sth in long l27
de-. min. east, lat IS deg. 5 min. south) we had
similar appearances Of distant mountains, but the
compact barrier extending from by south
prevented nearer approach.
On the night of the 9th February, being the first
clear nj yh foI 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 COM pact with immense
island. Of ice enclosed within the field ice.
On the l2'h, we sga'n saw the distant mountains,
but unable to effect approach, being in
long. liz deg. Is min Z. lat 81 deg 81 min 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 succeed in
approaching nearer the supposed line Of coast. On
the 18Th, at neon. had reached long. I07 deg 40
min. lat. TO deg. ii min $ with toleraby clear
before us, and the land plainly in sight. 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 eiecting landing
lhauled off for the short height, and the ext NOR
nng made another attempt at different point, but
was equally unsuccessful, being able to approach
emily three or four miles nearer as appeared per-
fecty impenetrable Near US were several icebergs
colored and stained with earth, Of which we
landed, and obtained numerous specimens of sand
stone quartz, conglomerae and sand, some weighing
an hundred pounds. This am well satisfied, gave
us more specimens than could have been obtained
from the land ITSELF as We should no doubt have
found 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 was longitude LOG deg 40 min.
+ lat. 90 deg 81 min. S. and upwards Of seventy
miles OF coast In sight, trending the same that we
Ahoug n had now reached the position where our
examinations we Q to terminate by my instructions
to the squadron concluded to proceed to the west
ward along the barrier, wbich continued be much
discolorcd by earth, and specimens Of rock, &c.,
were obtained from an ice island. sea leopard was
seen on the ice, but the boats sent did succeed in
taking him
On the l7th February, in long 81 deg 80 min Z.
lat 81 deg $. land was again at great distance
towards the southwest. We now found on selves
closely ombayed, anil unable to proceed in a west
eriy direction; the ice barrier tire ding around to
the no thward aud eastward, compelled us to retrace
our steps We had catered deep gull its southern
SIDE and required fsur days beating along it's north
shore t. set out OF During this time post ON
Was critical the weather chang able aad lit lie in
case of bad weather 1t fortunately held up unilwe
found ourselves again with clear to the north
ward.
The ice barrier had led to about sixty-twe
degrees OF attude the wind having set in from the
westward with dark weather and little p aspect of
ward prior to the LIST Of March, thereby losrg time
watch might be spent to advantage for our halins
interests at New Zealand dot ruined to proceed to
the north on the evening Of the 2lst.
There was brilliant appearance OF the aurora
australis on the
Ko F ss ,ss IL long deg 50 min lat
Aud on tn, ssIh March y, ~ 81 g ::
The result stated in this report leads to the fol-
lowing conclusions:
LIST. From discoveries Of the land through forty
degrees OF Ing. and the observations made urinx
this cruise with the similarly of forma
ton jposion the ice during close sxap,isa-
ton cf consider that there can scarcely be doubt
OF the existence of the hntarte continent extending
the whole distance Of seventy degrees from East to
West.
ID That different points If the land are at times
free from the ice barrier.
81 That they are frequented by seal, many of
which seen, and oGer to enterprising coun-
trymen engaged in those pursuits, field Of large ex-
tent for their future operations.
lth, That the large numbers Of whales Of dirrrent
species, seen, and the quantity Of food for them,
would desp nate this coast place OF great resort
for them. The fin backed whale seemed to predo.
inmate
We proceeded on our cruise TO the northward and
eastward with strong gales until We reached the
latitude OF certain islands, laid do wn on the charts
as the Regal Companys islands, about six degrees TO
the westward Of theic supposed locality; then
stool their parallel and passed over their sup
posed site, bat we saw nothing Of them. or any in
dicaton Of asd IN the vicinity. feel confident as
far respects their existence near the lonri-
tude parallel assigned them, to assert that they
do not exist.
The last ice island was seen isi latitude 81
degrees Sou'h. A few specimen Of natural his
tory were obtained and preserved during the
cruise.
A. conceive il would be unbecomipg in me In
speak Of the report and acc ON
chart of our cruise must speak for us; bat
! cannot close this report without bringing 10 your
notice the high estimation In which hold the con-
duct of the officers seameB, and marines durins this
artic cruise, the manner and spirit together vitb
the coolnsss and alacrty with which they have met
the dangers and performed their duties thrust that
they will receive from the government some grstify-
ing notice of IL. All say in their fayot wouId
fall Ear short 81 what they deserve.
l shall ever bear testimony that they have proved
themselves worthy Of the high character borne
by our eountrymen and the navy to which they be-
long.
nave the honsr to be, sir, most respectfully yosr
obdicut servant,
Com'dirg Exploring Expedition OF the u y.
To The Hon IL pAVLDIro.