 In 1838, the French explorer Jules Dumont d 'Urville sailed over the position of Morrell's "north cape", but saw no indication of land. This, together with the obvious errors in Morrell's voyage account, and his general reputation as a braggart, led most later geographers to doubt his story. This scepticism remained even after Sir James Clark Ross reported an appearance of land in 1843, not far from Morrell's alleged observation; Ross's sighting was occasionally proffered as support for Morrell's claim. After Ross there was no further exploration of the Weddell Sea until 1903, when William Speirs Bruce took Scotia to 74°1'S, but in a sector of the sea which did not bring him close to Morrell's or Ross's supposed sightings. Bruce was, however, did not dismiss Morrell's claims, writing that they should not be rejected until absolutely disproved.
