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The Courier (Hobart, Tas. : 1840-1859) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2956631
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THE COURIER.
Strenue et Urespere.
HOBART TOWN, FRIDAY, APRIL 9.
IT is our pleasing task to announce the safe return to our port of H. M. Discovery ships Erebus and Terror. Captains Ross and Crozier, after a voyage of six months to the antarctic pole.
Our readers will be happy to learn that the expe- dition has been crowned with the most complete suc- cess, for though they reached not the exact position of the magnetic pole, owing to the immense barriers of ice, and ice-covered mountain that intervened, they were enabled to fix it at about one hundred miles dis- tance from them, as nearly as could be ascertained from the observation of the needle.
The Erebus and Terror left Hobart Town on the 12th November, 1840, and arrived at the Auckland Islands on the 20th ; having completed the ne- cessary observations there, they sailed on the 12th December for Campbell Island, which they reached the following day, and having furnished the requisite observations in the South harbour of that island, they sailed for the antarctic region on the 17th, and entered the main part of ice on the 5th January, 1841, in latitude 66° 45' S., and longitude 174° 13' E. They reached this field of ice on the 9th, in latitude 68° 15' S., and longitude 176° 22' E. On the 10th they discovered land, and took posses- sion of it on the 12th in the name of Her Majesty
Queen Victoria. Latitude 71° 56' S., longitude 171 ° 17' E. This land was traced, extending in a continuous line to the southward as far as the 79th degree. On the 28th January, in latitude 77 ° 31' S., and longitude 167 ° 60' E., they saw a large volcano, to which the appropriate name of Mount Erebus was given, and that of Mount Terror to another mountain in its neighbourhood. Mount Erebus was emitting dense clouds of smoke.
On the 2nd February they reached the latitude of 78° 04' S., in longitude 173 ° 12' W., when the ships were finally stopped by an immense barrier of ice 150 feet high, beyond which it was found impos-
sible to penetrate, and as the season was likely to become more severe, and the ships to be detained in the ice, without the possibility of effecting anything until it broke up, Captain Ross resolved to return, and consequently both ships sailed from thence for this port on the 18th February.
As soon as the season promises a chance of addi- tional success, Captain Ross will again explore the antarctic regions. The barrier of ice which impeded their further progress, was traced for 300
miles eastward.
This Expedition has penetrated four degrees far- ther south than that of the French or Americans. The positions marked by the French were found to be correct, but some extraordinary mistake appears to have affected the American calculations, for the "Erebus" and "Terror" sailed over the positions marked on their charts as land, which is upwards of three hundred miles from the latitude and longitude
in which the Americans have laid it down.
The appearance of these inhospitable regions is re- presented as one continued scene of valleys of ice and mountains of snow. That which however cannot fail to excite surprise, is the discovery of a volcanic moun- tain in such a latitude. The effect of a burning mountain in a desert of ice and snow must have been extremely strange, if not terrific, and will no doubt in England furnish the subject of many a panoramic
painting.
We have heard that seals and sperm whales were
seen in abundance.
The officers and the crew are all in the enjoyment, of excellent health and have not sustained a single casualty. We congratulate onr gallant countrymen on their return. If they have not shared in the glory of the achievements which have of late distin- guished the British navy in the east, they have been accomplishing no less enduring although peaceful
triumphs in the south.
COLONIAL BANK.—The first half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this bank, was held at the Com- pany's Banking-house on Monday last, the fifth instant, when the accounts were audited, and a gene- ral statement of the affairs of the shareholders laid before the meeting. The members present expressed themselves highly gratified at the general statement, and the flattering prospects of the Company ; and a vote of thanks was passed for the able conduct of the Directors, and of Mr. C. Driscoll the manager. We perceive by a public announcement in another part of our paper, that a dividend has been declared, after the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, upon the paid up capital.
NEW COLONIAL BANK.—With this title to public favor, a new ebtablishment was last week opened under the management of Mr. John Burke. We are given to understand that it is essentiallly a joint-stock-com- pany, and although the names of the shareholders have not generally transpired, we hear, from pretty good authority, that Messrs. Lamb and Ball have deep
stakes therein.