In the morning of the 10th we made sail under courses and top-sails close-reefed; and made the signal for the Adventure to make sail and lead.  At eight o’clock saw an island of ice to the westward of us, being then in the latitude of 56 deg. 40’ S. and longitude 2 deg. 0’ E. of the Cape of Good Hope.  Soon after the wind moderated, and we let all the reefs out of the top-sails, got the spritsail-yard out, and top-gallant-mast up.  The weather coming hazy, I called the Adventure by signal under my stern, which was no sooner done, than the haze increased so much with snow and sleet, that we did not see an island of ice, which we were steering directly for, till we were less than a mile from it.  I judged it to be about 50 feet high, and half a mile in circuit.  It was flat at top, and its sides rose in a perpendicular direction, against which the sea broke exceedingly high.  Captain Furneaux at first took this ice for land, and hauled off from it, until called back by signal.  As the weather was foggy, it was necessary to proceed with caution.  We therefore reefed our top-sails, and at the same time sounded, but found no ground with 150 fathoms.  We kept on to the southward with the wind at north till night, which we spent in making short trips, first one way and then another, under an easy sail; thermometer these 24 hours from 36-1/2 to 31.

At day-light in the morning of the 11th, we made sail to the southward with the wind at west, having a fresh gale, attended with sleet and snow.  At noon we were in the latitude of 51 deg. 50’ S., and longitude 21 deg. 3’ E., where we saw some white birds about the size of pigeons, with blackish bills and feet.  I never saw any such before; and Mr Forster had no knowledge of them.  I believe them to be of the peterel tribe, and natives of these icy seas.[3] At this time we passed between two ice islands, which lay at a little distance from each other.

In the night the wind veered to N.W. which enabled us to steer S.W.  On the 12th we had still thick hazy weather, with sleet and snow; so that we were obliged to proceed with great caution on account of the ice islands.  Six of these we passed this day; some of them near two miles in circuit, and sixty feet high.  And yet, such was the force and height of the waves, that the sea broke quite over them.  This exhibited a view which for a few moments was pleasing to the eye; but when we reflected on the danger, the mind was filled with horror.  For were a ship to get against the weather-side of one of these islands when the sea runs high, she would be dashed to pieces in a moment.  Upon our getting among the ice islands, the albatrosses left us; that is, we saw but one now and then.  Nor did our other companions, the pintadoes, sheerwaters, small grey birds, fulmars, &c., appear in such numbers; on the other hand, penguins began to make their appearance.  Two of these birds were seen to-day.