With a moderate breeze from the westward, we 1840. Dec. 17.weighed at 9 a.m., and stood out of the harbour. As soon as we had cleared the land we shaped our course directly south; and the wind soon freshening to a strong gale, with thick weather and rain, we lost sight of Campbell Island about noon.
The fifteen months which had elapsed since we took our departure from England had in no degree diminished our eagerness for the southern voyage; and now that we had at length the prospect before us of entering upon those labours from which we all hoped the most remarkable and important results of our voyage might be fairly anticipated, joy and satisfaction beamed in every face; and although I could not but look forward with much anxiety of mind to the issue of our exertions, yet this was greatly diminished by the assurance that we were in possession of the best of human means to accomplish our purposes. Our ships were in every respect most suitable for the service, with three years' provisions, and stores of the best kind, and supported by officers and crews in whom I had reason to entertain the utmost confidence that they would endure every trial and hardship with credit to themselves and the country. I felt that we had nothing to desire but the guidance and blessing of Almighty God throughout the arduous
