Appendix IV [Ice Isles and Southern Continent]

In respect to Lands still unexplor’d towards the Southern Extreme of the Globe, I’m of opinion tho’ this Voyage has clearly evinc’d there can be no Continent or Isle at all worthy the attention of any People under the Sun, yet that there may be, and is, some extensive Land or a multitude of Isles in that part of the World. I’m induc’d to this way of thinking by the innumerable Ice Isles throughout the Seas in the high Southern Latitudes, which Isles, I make no doubt must be form’d under the Cover of, and contiguous to some Land. Untill this last Southern Campaigne we were very various in our Opinions concerning the formation of an Ice Island, but the sight of those Lands at the bottom of the Atlantic render’d this matter very plain, and gave us a very clear idea of its Origin—increase &c. &c. We there saw Icy Cliffs from which Isles, apparently and evidently had broke off and some Bays only partly full, the rest having separated and floated away to Sea; in short what we there met with, dispel’d all our doubts and clearly convinc’d us, that the Isles are form’d under the Cover of Lands either in Bays or wherever the water is so much shelter’d that the general purterbation of the Sea cannot much effect it, but the surface becoming smooth is of course in a state to be more easily congeal’d which must be soon brought about by the intense Cold that reigns here throughout almost the whole Year—thus Originated, its bulk I suppose to be increas’d to the huge size we found them by the immense quantities of Snow which falls to the share of these happy Climes, which will be found by the account of the Weather in the Log to be almost perpetual even in the height of Summer—this Snow as it falls continues to freeze and embody itself with the Ice, ‘till it becomes too enormous to bear its own weight and of course immerges into the Sea; or probably continues till the return of the Vernal Season, which tho’ not very mild here, may have influence enough to weaken in some measure a body of Ice, and consequently breaks it adrift and leaves it to cruize at the mercy of the Winds and Seas. Now this being my Hypothesis of an Ice Island I’m led to believe from thence, that the Myriads we’ve met with, cou’d not have been form’d but by a great deal of shelter and of course large quantities of Land—the Land we fell in with in the Lattitude of 59° was as totally inaccessible to us, as tho’ ‘twas only a Body of Ice—the shores were form’d of high rocky precipices and the Bays chok’d up with Ice making in high Cliffs, as recorded in the Log—which Cliffs extend themselves in many places beyond the points of Land which form the Bays, so that getting a foot onshore was wholly impracticable—now this was the Midsummer of a Year we had reason to suppose a very mild one, therefore if such was the case in this Latitude, what can be expected when farther advanc’d towards the Pole which we must allow the Center of intense Cold; so what can be expected, supposing there were any Lands comatable which however I believe the Account of this Voyage will put altogether out ofthe question.

Cha⁸ Clerke