364
LINE OF NO VARIATION.
[Chap. XIII.
1843
The current was setting to the S.W. at the rate of seven miles daily.
We were at this time in latitude 68° 34′ S., longitude 12° 49′ W., magnetic dip 63° 24′ S., and variation 5° 24′ W.
The great depth of the ocean served to relieve us from every apprehension of being obstructed by land, and at the same time to inspire a hope that we might still find a clear sea very far to the south, for Davis has shrewdly observed, "the deep sea fryseth not;" the cause of which we now find in the constant supply of heat from beneath; although the period of the year had arrived, when our former experience had led us to consider the higher southern latitudes as sealed from the intrusion of man.
A light wind sprang up at 4.30. p.m., from the westward, which increased to a fresh breeze from the north-west before midnight, and we carried all sail, steering south-west; the sky was overcast, but we could see to the distance of five or six miles after March 4.day broke. At noon our latitude was 69° 27′ S., longitude 14° 29′ W., magnetic dip 64° 5′. In the afternoon it became more clear; the sun broke through the clouds, and we got observations for the variation, of great interest as they enabled us to trace the line of no variation to the southward. At 6 p.m. we had passed the highest latitude attained by Bellinghausen, about midway between his track and Weddell's; and at 9 p.m. we crossed the 70th degree of latitude.