Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/427

] permitting them to take a part in the prompt and judicious measures adopted by Commodore Purvis and the commander of the French naval force.

From the British ambassador, Mr. Hamilton, we received every assistance in his power to accelerate our operations; which being completed by the 24th, we sailed at 8$h$ 15$m$ the following day, with a light breeze from the northwest.

Commodore Shubrick sent all the boats of the American squadron to assist in towing us out of the harbour; but the breeze increasing steadily, rendered it unnecessary to avail ourselves of his kind attention.

Favoured by southerly winds, unusual at this season of the year, we made rapid progress over that portion of the passage which is often the most tedious, owing to the east and north-east winds which generally prevail; and, to-day, in latitude 18° 23′ S. and longitude 31° 53′ W., we got the south-east trade wind.

On the 3rd, at 10 we crossed the line of no dip in latitude 13°.20′ S., and longitude 28°.ll′ W., where the trade wind being strong, with sharp squalls and rain, and with much sea running, prevented us making so many observations as we could have wished, and, therefore, the spot upon which we crossed it is not determined with equal precision as on our outward passage.