Antarctica: The Ice Wall & The True Distance Around It

THE ENGLISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION ‘Was undertaken in 1839 to 1843, mainly with a view to magnetic observations and the determination of the position of the South Magnetic Pole. Two old bomb vessels, the Erebus and Terror, were fitted out under the command of Captain (afterwards Sir James) Ross, with Captain Crosier in the Terror. The cruise for the second season was commenced from Tasmania and on New Year's day, 1841, the Antarctic Circle was crossed in about 172° E. A few days afterwards the two vessels were beset in the pack ice and began persevering and boring through it. By January 10th they succeeded, and were clear of ice in 70° 23'S., and next day land was sighted, rising in lofty peaks and covered with perennial snow. ‘‘Inconceivable myriads of penguins covered the surface, but no vegetation was seen. Next morning there was a southerly gale which moderated, and on the 18th of January they were again sailing south in an unexplored sea. No mention is anywhere made of extreme long days to correspond with co-equal latitudes of the north, as there necessarily should be were the earth a globe. Along the coast as far as the eye could reach to the eastward, there was a perpendicular cliff of ice from 150 to 200 feet high, perfectly level at the top, and without any fissures or promontories on its seaward face. Nothing could be seen above it except the summits of a lofty range of mountains extending southward as far as 79° S. To this range the name of Parry was given. Captain Ross then sailed along the marvelous wall of ice eastward in 77° 47’ S. as far as 78° S. This barrier was estimated to be 1,000 feet thick, and it was followed for 450 miles without a break. ...