ervice during the previous twelve months; every
one had done his best to advance the objects of the Expedition.

The attractions of Hobart, at this season, are so numerous, and
Tasmanian hospitality so boundless, that it gives me great pleasure to
place on record that every man was at his post on the 'Aurora' at 10
A.M. on Boxing Day.

As we drew away from the wharf amid the cheers of those who had come to
wish us God-speed, the weather was perfect and the scene on the Derwent
bright and cheering. Captain James Davis acted as pilot.

At 11.30 A.M. we had embarked the twenty-one dogs, which were brought
off from the Quarantine Station, and were steaming down Storm Bay.
Outside there was a heavy swell, and the wind was freshening from the
west. The course was laid south 50 degrees west, true.

For the next two days there was a westerly gale with a very high sea,
and the dogs and sheep had a bad time, as a good deal of water came
aboard. Two of the sheep had to be killed. By the afternoon of the 29th
it had moderated, and a sounding was secured.

This storm was followed by another from the west-northwest. The 'Aurora'
weathered it splendidly, although one sea came over everything and
flooded the cabins, while part of the rail of the forecastle head was
carried away on the morning of the 31st. At this time we were in
the vicinity of the reputed position of the Royal Company Islands.
A sounding was taken with great difficulty, finding two thousand and
twenty fathoms and a mud bottom.

January 4, 1918, was a fine day, with a fresh westerly breeze and a
high sea. Occasionally there were snow squalls. At night the wireless
operator was able to hear H.M.S. 'Drake' at Hobart, and also the station
at Macquarie Island; the ship having been fitted to receive wireless
signals before sailing.

Next day the sun was bright and there was only a moderate westerly
swell. Large bunches of kelp were frequently seen drifting on the
surface. "Blue Billys"** flew in great numbers about the ship. Two
soundings were obtained in one thousand nine hundred fathoms.

** Prion Banksii.

On the 8th a heavy swell came from the south-east. During the morning a
sounding realized two thousand two hundred and seventy fathoms and the
sample of mud contained a small, black manganese nodule. At 8 P.M. a
floating cask was sighted and taken aboard after much difficulty. It
turned out to be a ship's oil cask, empty, giving no clue from whence it