Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/163

] thousand two hundred fathoms, and recorded a temperature of 39º.7, between that depth and three hundred fathoms; at 150 fathoms it was 38º; that of the surface having fallen to 35º.8; the effect of radiation of heat from the ocean, therefore, extended to the depth of more than 150 fathoms, proving clearly that we were to the southward of the circle of uniform temperature. Our position at this time was, lat. 56º 20′ S., long. 148º 8′ W. In the forenoon we had crossed a line of ripple, lying in a north and south direction, but our trial of the current failed from mismanagement, and the weather becoming densely foggy, it was not repeated. We also passed a small piece of sea- weed, the last trace of vegetation we saw in our way to the south, and therefore worthy of notice, more especially as we were now in the latitude where we might expect to meet floating ice.

Although the fog was very thick all night, and the wind light from the N.E., yet we contrived to keep company by firing muskets, sounding the gong, or ringing the bell; and had thus an opportunity of judging the relative value of these three methods usually employed as fog signals.

To us the bell was most distinct, and the gong very little inferior, when the musket was scarcely audible; but I was much surprised, at this time, on hailing through a speaking-trumpet, to receive an immediate and so clear an answer from the officer of the watch of the Terror, that we might have carried on a conversation.