Snow showers now became frequent, and many bergs were seen; the white petrel also appeared in great numbers, indicating our approach to the pack; but we pursued our course under all sail, the night being fine and the sea smooth.
In the morning we had constant snow and hazy March 5.weather; and at 8.30. a.m., whilst running with all studding sails set, the main pack was seen from S.W. by S. to W.N.W. We immediately shortened sail and altered the course, at first to south, and then to S.E., running along from point to point of the pack. At noon our latitude was 71° 10′ S., longitude 15° 47′ W., at which time we were passing much loose ice off the pack edge, which now extended from east, round by south to W.N.W., so that we could not proceed further south without entering it. The outer edge appearing very open from the mast-head, we ran the ships into it as far as we prudently could; and at four o'clock, after penetrating about twenty-seven miles, we found it so close and heavy, and the holes of water amongst it so covered with newly formed ice, that we were obliged to haul to the wind, and endeavour to work our way out again, which we had some difficulty in doing, as the wind had freshened considerably, and was blowing directly on to the pack. When at our farthest we were in latitude 71° 30′ S., longitude 14° 51′ W.: a cask was then thrown overboard, containing a paper signed by myself and all the officers, stating the fact.
