In
1773, on December 12th, we found the first ice in 62 deg. S. In 1775, on
January 27th, we saw the ice in about 60 deg. S. On February 24th, we came
to the same place, where, about twenty-six months before, we had met
with such an impenetrable body of ice, as had obliged us to run to the
east, but where, at this last time, no vestige of it appeared, no more
than at the place where Bouvet had placed his Cape Circumcision, we
having sailed over the whole tract which he suspected to be land; nor
could we be mistaken in its situation, as we had been on the same
parallel for a considerable time; so that it is impossible to have
missed the land, if any had existed, as we had frequent opportunities
to ascertain our latitude." - F.
It is well known, that considerable masses of ice have been met with
as low down as 46 deg. of south latitude; but hitherto no very
satisfactory solution has been given of the phenomenon. - E.
[3] "Our friend Mahine had already expressed his surprise at several
little snow and hail showers on the preceding days, this phenomenon
being utterly unknown in his country. The appearances of "white
stones," which melted in his hand, was altogether miraculous in his
eyes, and though we endeavoured to explain to him that cold was the
cause of their formation, yet I believe his ideas on that subject were
never very clear. A heavy fall of snow surprised him more than what he
had seen before, and after a long consideration of its singular
qualities, he told us he would call it the white rain when be came
back to his country. He did not see the first ice, on account of the
early hour in the morning; but two days after, in about 65 deg. S., he was
struck with astonishment upon seeing one of the largest pieces, and
the day following presented him with an extensive field of ice, which
blocked up our farther progress to the south, and gave him great
pleasure, supposing it to be land, We told him that so far from being
land, it was nothing but fresh water, which we found some difficulty
to convince him of at first, till we shewed him the ice which was
formed in the scuttled cask on the deck. He assured us, however, that
he would, at all events, call this the white land, by way of
distinguishing it from all the rest." - G.F.
[4] "About one o'clock, whilst the people were at dinner, we were
alarmed by the sudden appearance of a large island of ice just a-head
of us. It was absolutely impossible either to wear or tack the ship,
on account of its proximity, and our only resource was to keep as near
the wind as possible, and to try to weather the danger. We were in the
most dreadful suspension for a few minutes, and though we fortunately
succeeded, yet the ship passed within her own length to windward of
it," - G.F.
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