Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/369

] of the middle island to be in lat. 66° 44′ S. and long. 163° 11′ E. A lunar at two o'clock agrees with the above longitude by chronometer. The weather continued moderate, but very thick to the end.

"Thick weather. At 1 had to hoist out a boat to tow the vessel clear of an iceberg, which we were close to, but could not see, and no wind. At 11  cleared, and we saw the land bearing about W.S.W., and of a tremendous height, I should suppose at least twelve thousand feet, and covered with snow. We are inclosed with large icebergs in every direction.

"At noon we had a very indifferent observation, which gave the latitude 66° 30′ S., and it immediately came on thick.

"This morning the weather thickens and clears occasionally. At 2 saw the land, bearing S.S.E. about ten miles. The west point of the west island bore W.N.W. At eight o'clock the land completely icebound.

"At noon tacked, and worked in-shore to look for harbours or beach. At 4 abreast of the small island; the eastern island, now on a different bearing, appeared a large one. At 6  went on shore in the cutter's (Sabrina) boat, at the only place likely to afford a landing; but when we got close with the boat it proved only the drawback of the sea, having a beach of only three or four feet at most. Captain Freeman jumped out and got a few stones, but was up to his middle in water. There is no landing or beaches on this land; in