range of mountains covered in eternal snow.  Due west we can see the Possession Islands, lying under the stupendous bluff of Cape Downshire, which shows large patches of black rock.  The land slopes down to the north-west of Cape Downshire, and rises again into the high peninsula about Cape Adore.  We felt excited this morning in anticipation of seeing the sun, which rose about nine-thirty (local time).  It was a glorious, joyful sight.  We drank to something, and with very light hearts gave cheers for the sun.

“August 9.—­Donolly got to work on the rudder again.  It is a long job cutting through the iron sheathing-plates of the rudder, and not too safe at present, as the ice is treacherous.  Hooke says that the conditions are normal now.  I wish for his sake that he could get through.  He is a good sportsman and keeps on trying, although, I am convinced, he has little hope with this inadequate aerial.

“August 10.—­The ship’s position is lat. 70° 40´ S., forty miles north 29° east of Cape Adare.  The distance drifted from August 2 to 6 was one hundred miles, and from the 6th to the 10th eighty-eight miles.

“August 12.—­By observation and bearings of land we are forty-five miles north-east of Cape Adare, in lat. 70° 42´ S. This position is a little to the eastward of the position on the 10th.  The bearings as laid off on a small scale chart of gnomonic projection are very inaccurate, and here we are handicapped, as our chronometers have lost all regularity.  Donolly and Grade are having quite a job with the iron platings on the rudder, but should finish the cutting to-morrow.  A jury-rudder is nearly completed.  This afternoon we mixed some concrete for the lower part, and had to use boiling water, as the water froze in the mixing.  The carpenter has made a good job of the rudder, although he has had to construct it on the quarterdeck in low temperatures and exposed to biting blasts.

“August 16.—­We are ‘backing and filling’ about forty miles north-east of Cape Adare.  This is where we expected to have made much mileage.  However, we cannot grumble and must be patient.  There was much mirage to the northward, and from the crow’s-nest a distinct appearance of open water could be seen stretching from north-north-west to north-east.

“August 17.—­A glorious day!  Land is distinctly visible, and to the northward the black fringe of water-sky over the horizon hangs continuously.  Hooke heard Macquarie Island ‘speaking’ Hobart.  The message heard was the finish of the weather reports.  We have hopes now of news in the near future.

“August 23.—­Saw the land in the vicinity of Cape North.  To the south-south-west the white cliffs and peaks of the inland ranges were very distinct, and away in the distance to the south-west could be seen a low stretch of undulating land.  At times Mount Sabine was visible through the gloom.  The latitude, is 69° 44½´ S. We are fifty-eight miles north, forty miles east of Cape North.