Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/279

] high sea, we were enabled, by means of Mr. Fox's instrument, to obtain observations for the dip, 86° 25′ in both ships.

The land was seen several times during the day; the same we had before discovered, and we carried all sail to prevent being driven back to the northward. In the evening we wore and stood towards the land, hoping for fairer weather by the time we closed it; but the storm continued with unabated violence, so that when we were by our reckoning within ten or twelve miles of the shore, and unable to see to any distance on account of the almost uninterrupted snow-showers and thick foggy weather, we were obliged again to stand off to sea, still struggling under all sail to maintain our ground.

At noon we were in lat 71° 50′, and long. 172° 20′, which, under the circumstances, we considered more favourable than we expected, having lost only eighteen miles during this violent gale.

In the course of the day a great number of whales were observed; thirty were counted at one time in various directions, and during the whole day, wherever you turned your eyes, their blasts were to be seen. They were chiefly of large size, and the hunch-back kind: only a few sperm whales were distinguished amongst them, by their peculiar manner of "blowing," or "spouting," as some of our men who had been engaged in their capture called it. Hitherto, beyond the reach of their persecutors, they have here enjoyed a life of tranquillity and security; but will now, no doubt, be made to