Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/423

] from the surface to the great depth we have reached; a new and important fact in the physics of our globe.

On the following day thermometers were sent to the depth of 1200 fathoms, where the temperature was 39°.5; at 1050 fathoms, it was 39°.8; at 450 fathoms, 41°.1; at 300 fathoms, 44°; and at the surface, 53°. The specific gravity from 1050 fathoms, and 450 fathoms, was 1.0269 at 63°; that of the surface being 1.0275 at 53°. We were at this time in latitude 43° 10′ S., longitude 14° 44′ E.; the Cape of Good Hope bearing N.18 E., distant five hundred and fifty-six miles.

We had favourable winds and fine weather until the 4th of April, when, at 6$h$ 20$m$ the land was reported, and by noon we were close in with Cape Point. The wind blowing fresh, with frequent squalls, directly out of Simon's Bay, we had to beat up, and it was not until 7$h$ 30$m$ that we anchored close to her Majesty's Ship Winchester, bearing the flag of Rear Admiral the Honourable Josceline Percy, C.B.

Captain Crozier and I immediately waited upon the Commander-in-Chief, by whom we were received in the most kind and gratifying manner; and I had the satisfaction of reporting to him, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the expedition had returned for a third time from the arduous service in which it had been engaged, without a single individual of either of the ships on the sick list.