The sea extended from a little to the west of south, round by east to north-north-east, and its welcome promise was supported by a deep water-sky to the south.

I laid a course south by east in an endeavour to get south and east of Ross's farthest south (lat.

71ｰ 30ｴ S.).
We kept the open water for a hundred miles, passing many bergs but encountering no pack.

Two very large whales, probably blue whales, came up close to the ship, and we saw spouts in all directions.

Open water inside the pack in that latitude might have the appeal of sanctuary to the whales, which are harried by man farther north.