Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 1.djvu/450

350 "On the meridian of 140° E., latitude 66° 45′ S., you will find a small bay, partly formed by ice islands and rocks, which I have named Piner's Bay, and I think among the rocks you may find a snug little harbour. I was driven out of the bay by a gale of wind, sounding about one and a half miles from the shore in thirty fathoms. The icebergs being aground formed a good shelter to it from seaward; I would have been much exposed to have anchored off it, and I had not time to examine it in my boats; a gale came on that lasted thirty-six hours, and a most providential escape we had of it. My object was to trace the land to the westward, and I have done so; a sketch of its position you will see on the chart. I regret being unable to furnish you a more perfect one, but you will be able to decipher it, I hope, and will have information of the points where you may penetrate.

"We had delightful and clear weather ten days or a fortnight along the coast, with the wind at from south-east to south-south-west; the two latter points particularly. The drift ice is in large pieces, so large as to give a ship an awkward thump; but when I found it tolerably open I have run through it to get to clear water, and in hopes of making the land, but our progress was soon stopped by the firm barrier, impenetrable, through which there is no passing. On this point you will, I have little doubt, agree with me.

"I am of opinion that there is little movement of the ice during the season. Strong gales may change its position a little, but I think not materially.

"The only prospect of nearing the land is through a sea well studded with large icebergs, nearly thirty or forty miles in width; and I generally found that we got nearer to the shore in those places than elsewhere. One thing I must tell you, as respects filling your water. You will sometimes find a pond of delicious water on the top of an old iceberg, frozen over, but on cutting through it you will get a supply sufficient for a navy. It will save you fuel,