From these statements it would appear that there is probably more than one island in this neighbourhood, but certainly not in the positions given in their log-books; for although unaware of these accounts at the time we were in search of Bouvet Island, we passed so near as certainly to have seen them had they been there. It would be very desirable that their number and situation should be accurately determined, which might easily be done by a small vessel from the Cape of Good Hope. The proper season for this service is the middle of December, when the nights are short, and the finest weather may be expected.
March 25.We continued to experience very boisterous weather, and passed numerous bergs in our passage to the Cape, until noon of the 25th, when we were in latitude 47° 40′ S., longitude 10° 51′ E., magnetic dip 55° 53' S. and variation 25° 29′ W., where the last iceberg was seen.
March 27.On the 27th, in latitude 43° 52′ S., longitude 13° 23′ E., we found the temperature of the sea at 600 fathoms to be 39°.5; at 450 fathoms, 39°.8; at 300 fathoms, 40°3; at 150 fathoms, 44°; at the surface 47°.5. We were, therefore, very much to the northward of the circle of uniform temperature of the ocean throughout its entire depth, and must have crossed it in about the latitude of 52°, and longitude 9° E. I very much regretted that the tempestuous weather prevented our making experiments in that locality.
