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Chap. VIII.]
FARTHEST SOUTH.
231
1841
we obtained soundings in two hundred and fifty fathoms, on soft green mud and small stones. We also found the temperature of the sea at that depth 33° 2′, and at one hundred and fifty fathoms 33°, the surface being 32°; the current was setting to the northward at the rate of three quarters of a mile per hour, its strength being greater no doubt over the shallow bank than in the deeper water. In the evening, whilst running with all studding sails set, the wind suddenly shifted to the southeastward, and the Terror being between two and three miles astern, we shortened sail to wait for her.
During a snow shower of four or five hours' continuance, Feb. 2.and variable winds and squalls, we kept company by firing muskets every quarter of an hour, the ships not being more than an eighth of a mile from each other, but perfectly concealed by fog and snow. These cleared off at 5 a.m., but the whole morning was lost to us by alternate calms and light baffling winds. At noon, in lat. 77° 46′ S., long. 187° E., we got soundings with two hundred and eighty fathoms, greenish mud and clay. The top of the barrier at the time was distinctly visible from the deck, just rising above the horizon. We now made all sail to a light breeze from the north-east directly towards it; the loose ice became closer as we proceeded to the southward, and at a quarter past nine stopped our further progress. We were about ten or twelve miles from the barrier, but the whole of the intervening space was filled with packed heavy