The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-10-16
The Antarctic Expedition.
From the London Literary Gazette ]

From the London Literary Gazette
We congratulate the country the happy return Of
one OF the most memorable expeditions recorded II
English hsory-an expedition fortunate in every respec
in the outfit provision made for its in the ntre
pdty aud sk oil its conduct throughout in the perfect
Accomplishment oil all its scientific OF ecs in the
tnu-d health and preservation OF the human beings
pc SEED to its peril' and prvaons the harmony which
has never Tor moment been interrupted among officers
and by jealouses misbehavor and finally in its
suspicious arrival at home alter four years OF brave and
unwear exeruon, IN safety to be crowned with the re
wards ana honors so noby earned from admring and
grateful nation.
Justly may Great Britain be proud of this achievement
and sure we are that its glory will not be felt by Britain
alone, but be ackno lodged by the whole civilized
world to which, well ourselves its interesting and
important results in science belong. The exemplary hui
many and prudence oil Captain James Ross Captain Cro-
zer, and their gallant companions Entrusted with the
command and direction OF the undertaking. above all
praise, and the reciprocang seadnes and devotedness
OF the of the vessels are no creditable
the national character Three fine fellows were lost by
accidenwnhin the four years. but such the eectual
care and management bestowed during all that time,
der every circumstance OF toll and danger that the first
natural death occurred Rio the homew ard voyage,
and the hrst and only corpse was there committed to
the earth. Highly must think of what has been
done in other respects the attention paid to the comfort
and welfare oil the men, and thus restoring them to their
country in ro ust health and vgor must in opinion,
demand the warmes tribute of applause, and rebound
most sgnally to the honor of their leaders
But will not detam anxious readers any longer
by Introductory remarks from the account OF the exped
ton, which we have the good fortune to be able to lay
before them.
The Erebus Captain James Ross and the Terror Cap.
tain Crozer left Eng land the 29h September 1892
and made observations at Madeira, Port Praya, ST. Paus
Rocks and Trinidad On the last day of January, 1910,
the expedition reached St Helena Captain Ross having
desrous in taking this course to determine the u-
of the curve connecting those points in which that
intensity weakest This he accurately accomplished;
and we may note that the large space OF Atlantic
possesses the least magnetic intensity any
like portion of the surface OF the globe The position Of
the line presumed to be proceeding towards the north,
being thus rscertaned will be easy in all future time to
"A cera law man
subject. Vide Transactions of the Royal Society for
lsil) The position of the line OF no-dip sgnetc
eQuaor aIs1 determined and fixed grounds laid
subsequent observations of the changes to which may
be Liable.
The magnetic observatory at st. Helena having been
set foot and the officers and instruments landed the
expedition sailed forth February March II arrived
at the Cape OF Good Hope where similar services were
performed series OF daily experiments was made on
the temperature and specific gravi of the and the
depths OF $50, 500 4s0, and 600 iahoms; and at length
soundipgs the OF the ocean were st uck by
pummet From all which, the ply steal condition OF this
| element will come to be better understood
APRIL 3rhe Cape was lett behind, and the system Of
| magnetic observation sedulously and zealously con
tinued the voya with the observaores
tablshed in other parts of the world Kerguen's Land
was reached on the 18th of May and the 10th (tht
day previously fixed Tor simultaneous observaions tn,
mognetometric instruments were noted every two and
nan minutes I'M, or hours; and. fortunately
various parts Of Europe occurred and its affecting the
instruments at Toronto afforded complete proof OF the
vast extent OF magnetic influences pervadng the ehrth
diameter with velocity equal to light or electricity.
Geological and geographical Investigations were car
ried on Large fossil trees were found in the lava
aud indicated the gneous origin of these islands. Elk
of coal were also msedded in the volcanic
mass which may, with great benefit, be employed for
the purpose OF steam navigation this quarter OF the
world and be of immense Importance TO the commerce Of
India.
FrRsr AR-From Hobart Town, Van Diemans Land
the expedition proceeded to Auckland Islands, and
peted perfect series of magnetic the
important term day Of November 1870 The antic paory
attempts ~ of the American Lieut.. Wilkes, and the
(.np nhnrn Irvtl N
countrymen, Capt Ross wisely used his
power altering his route from that originally intended
He accordingly directed his course for the utmost south
at about the 10th deg OF east longitude by which the
sody oval and the point exactly between the two
and determined directly between the tracks OF the Rus
sau navigator Bellng hassen ard our illustriou
Cook He then proposed TO steer S. W. towards pole
rather than its approach directly from the nort
on the unsuccessful footsteps of preceding voysgers
On the 18th ofDecember he quilted Auckland Islands
merous icebergs to the southwark Of 81 lat made th
| Pack Edge, and entered the Antarctic circle New
Years day ls4l The Pack was not SO formidable as re-
presented by the French and Americans; but gale
other unav0rable circumstances prevented the vessels
from entering at the time gale from the northwaId
blew them eff and not until the 9th that they
gained 1t, ami 100 miles to the eastward in lat IS 40
and Ion. ia 10 E.; when, though the wind blowing
and the running high directly UPON it, the entrance
achieved without the slightest injury either sh
Alter advancing through it few miles, they were able
to make Their way to the southwark with comparative
and sa ety. Thick fogs however, ensued, and with
light winds, rendered their difficult well
as tedious and constant showers impeded their
oper atoms. Whenever glimpse could be obtained they
WERE heless encouraged by seeing strong
sky to the SCI and the morning of the 9th after sail
ing above 200 miles through the Pack they gained per
iectly clear sea- and bore away SW for the magnetic
pole.
JAM lat 70 AZ s. and Ion. l72 SO E. land was dscov
cred at the distance Of nearly 100 miles, directly in
their course and between them and the pole
the southernmost known land ever discovered
though somewhat nearly approached by the Rus
nj ehpA thIg ntrv
to rise in lofty mountain peaks OF from 900 to
900 feet in heighth entirely covered with eternal
and the acers projecting from the vast mountain brows
for many miles into the By and by exposed patch
of rock visible; but the shore SO lined with
oergs ana PACK ice, with heavy swell wasnlng over
fore steered 10 the SE where several small islands,
and the l2th, Captain Ross landed accompanied by
Captain Crozier and number OF officers OF each ship,
and took possession country in the OF our gra
cous Queen Victoria The island is composed altogether
of igneous rocks end lies in lat IL So and lon III
The east coast of the main land tended to the south
ward and the north took norhwesery direction and
Captain Ross resolved penetrating as far as he could
the SOUTH that he might If possible beyond the
magnetic pole whichthe combined hadlaced
rs s. nearly and thence proceed westward till he com.
pleted his crcumn They accordingly seered
along this magnificent land and, the 2ad Of Januar,
reached "a Is Sthe highest southern latitude that had
| ever cen previously attained!
Here strong sonthey gales thick ogs and perpetual
now.storms, mpeded them but they continued to ex
me the coast the souhwa ard and the 9th again
landed on another island in lat rs and Ion. l6s u
tain 400 feet above the level of the seen, emit
ting flame and smoke in grand prousion which splendid
volcano received the appropriate of Mount Erubus
It's position is lat. II 81 long 1877 e.; and exnc
crater to the eastward Of it named-theugh not quite
| SO ftly-Mount 4 error. az
Continuing to follow the mainland in lis southern
trend,Dg. bar OF ice, stretching off from prominent
cape and presenting perpendicu face of about
far above the mast heads OF vessels shut the pros
pect of further advance in that direction. They could
Just discern beyond the tops ofarsnge ofvery lofty
wards the S5E and in lat 70 s. This barrier they
explored the eastward, TILL the 22d Of February
they reached lat 70 s. the highest they at time
able to attain and the 9th, having tracked its
continuance TO the longitude Of lol 20 in lat.
7s S. distance of than 800 miles, their
farther progress stopped by heavy pack pres.
sed closely against it and the narrow lane through
which they had hht rto found their way being
petey covered by rapidly forming ice, nothing but the
strong which they fortunately had with them put
it in their power to retrace their At the distance
of less than half mile they had soundings bed Of
soft blue mud with 3ls fathoms. The temperature
90 degrees below the freezing point and aught
here being mpracticable they bore away for the west
ard and again reached lat 70 Chat Of the magnetic