In the morning of the 18th, being in the latitude of 57 deg. 54’ S., longitude 83 deg. 14’ E., the variation was 39 deg. 33’ W. In the evening, in latitude 58 deg. 2’ S., longitude 84 deg. 35’ E., it was only 37 deg. 8’ W., which induced me to believe it was decreasing.  But in the evening of the 20th, in the latitude of 58 deg. 47’ S., longitude 90 deg. 56’ E., I took nine azimuths, with Dr Knight’s compass, which gave the variation 40 deg. 7’, and nine others, with Gregory’s, which gave 40 deg. 15’ W.

This day, at noon, being nearly in the latitude and longitude just mentioned, we thought we saw land to the S.W.  The appearance was so strong that we doubted not it was there in reality, and tacked to work up to it accordingly; having a light breeze at south, and clear weather.  We were, however, soon undeceived, by finding that it was only clouds; which, in the evening, entirely disappeared, and left us a clear horizon, so that we could see a considerable way round us; in which space nothing was to be seen but ice islands.

In the night the Aurora Australis made a very brilliant and luminous appearance.  It was seen first in the east, a little above the horizon; and, in a short time, spread over the whole heavens.

The 21st, in the morning, having little wind and a smooth sea, two favourable circumstances for taking up ice, I steered for the largest ice island before us, which we reached by noon.  At this time, we were in the latitude of 59 deg.  S., longitude 92 deg. 30’ E.; having about two hours before seen three or four penguins.  Finding here a good quantity of loose ice, I ordered two boats out, and sent them to take some on board.  While this was doing, the island, which was not less than half a mile in circuit, and three or four hundred feet high above the surface of the sea, turned nearly bottom up.  Its height, by this circumstance, was neither increased nor diminished apparently.  As soon as we had got on board as much ice as we could dispose of, we hoisted in the boats, and made sail to the S.E., with a gentle breeze at N. by E., attended with showers of snow, and dark gloomy weather.  At this time we had but few ice islands in sight, but, the next day, seldom less than twenty or thirty were seen at once.

The wind gradually veered to the east; and, at last, fixing at E. by S., blew a fresh gale.  With this we stood to the south, till eight o’clock in the evening of the 23d; at which time we were in the latitude of 61 deg. 52’ S., longitude 95 deg. 2’ E. We now tacked and spent the night, which was exceedingly stormy, thick, and hazy, with sleet and snow, in making short boards.  Surrounded on every side with danger, it was natural for us to wish for day-light.  This, when it came, served only to increase our apprehensions, by exhibiting to our view those huge mountains of ice, which in the night we had passed without seeing.