duty to run over the track laid down for me, and on the 18th reached the fourth and last rendezvous, having passed the 17th in the vicinity. We turned our head south for Cook's Ne Plus Ultra, the longitude alone being specified in the instructions-we continued our course to the southward, the weather at times very thick, ice-islands becoming numerous, and occasionally passing a little floating ice, until half-past 11 P. M., of the 19th, when it became so abundant and in such large masses around us, that we hove-to until daylight, frequently filling to avoid damage from it.

At four o'clock A. M., we again stood on, but were soon again from the same causes obliged to heave-to. At this time the water was much discoloured, and much of the ice also having the appearance of being but lately detached from land. I got a cast of the lead in one hundred fathoms, no bottom. The same discoloration of the water I afterwards observed always in the vicinity of extensive masses of ice; and thought it might possibly be produced by refraction. At eight o'clock the fog suddenly lifted, and to the amazement of all on deck, disclosed to us a wall of ice, from fifteen to twenty feet high, extending east and west as far as the eye could reach, and spreading out into a vast and seemingly boundless field to the southward, and so close under the lee that I did not venture to ware, but after getting the foresail on her, stood on to the westward, luffing and bearing away alternately to avoid a dangerous contact with large detached masses, with which the sea was filled in all directions. At length finding a place sufficiently clear to put the helm down, we worked out, with the same risk, to the eastward, and at nine o'clock had reached a comparatively smooth sea. Our latitude at this time about 67° 20′ S., longitude 105° W.; extremities of the field, as far as visible, bearing per compass east-by-north and southwest-half-west.

It was formed of various sized masses, of all shapes, and shapeless, and of several colours, a dingy white (if I may say so) prevailing. Continued to coast along the ice until meridian, when, seeing large ice ahead, and weather thick, hauled to the northward, and soon ran into blue water. At 2 P. M., weather clearing a little and sea tolerably clear, stood to the southward and eastward, and at 3h 20m, saw the ice in unbroken ranks, bearing from west-by-south to southeast-by-south. At four, the weather very thick, stood to the northward and eastward; water discoloured: at the time of taking the above last bearings, our view not extending beyond a few miles.

At six o'clock, weather lighting up, discovered field-ice distant about four miles, bearing from southeast to east per compass, passing through floating ice. At eight, lowered the foresail, and hove-to head

to the northward, winds moderate, with thick rainy weather, but finding her drifting upon the ice seen before dark, filled and stood to the northward and eastward. At ten, the ice thickening around us, tacked to the westward. From eleven to midnight saw no ice, but hearing a crashing sound to the northward, were for some time apprehensive that we might be embayed; however, having nothing to direct us in the gloom, we continued under easy sail our course to the westward.

March 21st, latitude at meridian observed, 68° 41' S., longitude, chronometer, 103° 34′ W. At four o'clock this morning was on deck. and as soon as the weather cleared a little, hauled up to the northward, to get clear of the field, which we had every reason to suppose extended far to the eastward and westward of us. After attaining the position which we felt confident would at least give us an open sea to the westward, we kept off, gradually feeling our way to the eastward. At seven, saw the ice extending in broken ranges from south-by-east to northeast, and the whitish glare on the horizon, (which our experience had already informed us was an unfailing indication of its presence,) extending far round to the westward. At eight o'clock, water discoloured, and many immense ice-islands around us, which accounted for the broken appearance that had been presented at seven. The wind being fair, and being able to see a safe distance, (two or three miles,) I ventured to give her southing, running through the islands, and at 4 P. M. were making south true, eight knots: this we continued until eight, when we reefed the mainsail, and lowered the foresail, with the intention of standing on during the night, flattering ourselves we should get beyond Cook, before noon; but, alas, our hopes were blasted in the bud: it soon became so thick we could not see at all. Having some floating ice around us, and having seen the unfailing indication of ice to leeward, before dark, we most reluctantly hauled over the jib-sheet and hove-to; the wind soon freshened to a gale, with a rising sea.

March 22d, latitude, at meridian, about 70° S., longitude 101° 16' W. From meridian to four, fresh northwesterly winds, with rain, the weather lighting up at intervals, showing us to be in the midst of innumerable ice-islands, so closely packed as scarce affording us a passage between them; though still lying-to, we were obliged to luff and bear away for thirteen of them. At four, making short tacks to the northward and westward,-islands, field, and drift-ice, in every direction, and close around us.

From four to eight, I was on deck, and after looking round upon the goodly company, selected the icebergs as my "compagnons du voyage;" the wind was still fresh, and the weather misty. I stood to the north

ward and eastward, and when in doubt, hove-to, to windward of an island, and drifted down in its wake; when finding a passage clear, would again fall back on our own resources, flat sails and a pilotboat's bottom.

The weather grew thicker and intensely cold, though the thermometer did not fall below 30°; I attributed these changes to the ice to windward, and, believing we were getting into a clear sea, I stepped below to stick my toes in the stove. I had not been below certainly five minutes, when the look-out called to me that the fog had lifted, and that we were surrounded. I jumped on deck, and such was too truly the case: narrow fields of ice, with narrow passages of water between, and extending longitudinally in a direction perpendicular to the wind, formed a complete circle round us, stretching in all directions as far as the eye could reach, and beyond, icebergs, packed and floating ice. I did not know at first how I should proceed; but, after a careful look round, I ran over to the weather shore of the pond, and stood along it in search of a passage, that I could not find; but, observing at intervals "sutures" in the ice, where it did not appear firmly formed, I resolved to take advantage of this, and, if possible, force a passage, feeling it necessary at all hazards, to extricate ourselves as soon as possible. Having the wind free, I gave her the mainsheet, and manned it well, and having got about six knots way on her, kept close to the ice, and when at the proper distance, put the helm down, hauled the main-sheet forcibly to windward, and let fly the head-sheets; this brought her round suddenly, before she had passed through sufficient water to deaden her way; the ice cracked, we slipped over, or brushed through, and before eight o'clock I had got into a tolerably clear sea. The weather again growing thick, the wind freshening, and sea getting up, fatigued with labour and anxiety, we hove-to, under the foresail with the bonnet off; and I believe all must have returned thanks to Heaven for their deliverance.

From eight to meridian, fresh gales and weather very thick, with innumerable ice-islands, which we frequently passed at a dangerous proximity, owing to their number, and our limited vision,-the sea breaking on them with the roar of thunder, and to the height of eighty to one hundred feet; I do not believe a ship could have passed these dangers; frequently we felt cramped in stays or in waring. At ten, the sea tolerably clear, again stood to the southward and westward. At meridian, obliged to haul to the westward, many icebergs, and floating ice in large masses around us. At 4 P. M., weather clearing a little, discovered a field ahead; wore to the southward and westward. Until midnight, working to the northward and westward, many islands,

loose tracts, and floating ice passing; weather generally so thick as not to be able to see two hundred feet. From eight to midnight, passed twenty-five islands. At 10h 45m, weather clear for a short time; saw the ice extending from southwest to northeast. At midnight, sea clearer; sails and rigging stiff with ice.

March 23d, latitude, at meridian, about 69° 17′ S., longitude 100° 30′ W. This day the weather has been clearer than for some time past. At daylight, intended keeping away to fix position of field-ice, but about that time the weather became very thick; hove-to until seven o'clock, when, no prospect of the weather clearing, stood to the northward and eastward. The sea now became tolerably clear, yet the passage of floating ice and icebergs still devolved the necessity of a bright look-out. In the afternoon, stood to the southward and eastward, and for three hours observed appearances of land; but at 3h 30m, discovered large masses of ice, and numerous icebergs. At six, the ice bore from south to east, standing to the northward and eastward; water much discoloured. At midnight, the southern horizon brilliantly illuminated by the aurora australis.

March 24th, latitude, at meridian, about 69° 06′ S., longitude 96° 50′ W. From four to eight had moderate northwesterly winds, with snow; weather hazy. From eight to meridian, moderate breezes, with a heavy fall of snow; first part passed many icebergs, and large quantities of floating ice. At 10h 30m, got suddenly into large fields of packed and broken ice, extending as far as the eye could reach, in all directions, and which, by the assistance of the snow, (which, in the clearer spots, laid undisturbed on the surface,) appeared to be rapidly becoming solid; the sea was cut off by the larger masses to windward, and to add to our anxiety the wind appeared declining: we lost no time in forcing out to windward, as on the former occasion. The vessel seeming ill-constructed for such rough contusions, and very fearful that her copper would be cut through, we cut up the boards in the spare-cabin berths to preserve it; but after getting into clearer water, the sea became too heavy, and while within the field I did not think we could spare the time to get them on. I am well convinced, and such was the general opinion on board, that within a short time after we cleared it, it became a firm field of ice. Having on two distinct occasions narrowly escaped being closed in by the ice, our want of fuel, the general unfitness of the vessel, and want of preparations for such an emergency, my "Instructions" called upon me most imperiously to return; and I put our head to the northward, determined to keep it so until we should change our temperature; which, with a proper ambition to get beyond previous navigators, I did the

less reluctantly, as I felt confident the season for operations in these latitudes had already passed,—the sun being already in northern declination, and little assistance to be expected from the moon and

stars.

On the 25th of March I fell in with you again, sir. It had been my intention that day at noon to stand to the eastward, and, if I found the sea sufficiently clear, to pass to the southward and eastward of the island of Peter I., in quest of the western extremity of Palmer's Land, and thence to execute what should remain unexecuted of my " Instructions," with which you are well acquainted.

66

Fearful of an early separation from you, in the thick weather now so prevalent in these latitudes, I have hurriedly drawn up this report, which I trust will excuse its deficiency in minute details, for which I beg leave to refer you to my journal (which I shall lose no time in submitting to you), and to the log-book, and other journals of the schooner.

I cannot close, sir, without expressing my entire satisfaction with the conduct of the crew of the schooner; they have now been wet for thirty days, suffering from cold, and frequently covered with ice and snow; indeed, in my experience, I have never known men subjected to equal hardships. From such causes, from two to three of the number have generally been unfit for duty; nevertheless, the remainder have displayed an enthusiasm for the service in which they have been engaged, and have performed their duties with a cheerfulness and alacrity that, if equalled, I have never seen surpassed. I confidently trust that you will so represent their conduct to the commander-inchief, that it may be distinguished by a public expression of his approbation.

In conclusion, sir, I must acknowledge my indebtedness to the skill and experience of Mr. Knox, and the ready attention of Mr. Hammersly, from whom I have received the most hearty co-operation. Very respectfully, yours, &c., (Signed) WILLIAM M. WALKER,

WILLIAM L. HUDSON, ESQ.,

Commanding U. S. Schooner Flying-Fish.

Commanding U. S. Ship Peacock, and Schooner Flying-Fish.

In looking over this communication, I believe it better to state that the appearance noticed in the ice, and of which I have made mention on the third page, amounted to a deep earthy stain. I cannot pretend to account for it.