3-011-556 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Britain among icebergs near Cape Horn, 1864. 'The screw-steamer Great Britain, which arrived at Liverpool...having made the passage from Melbourne in the short period of sixty-one days, passed through an extraordinary drift of icebergs on the 12th of September and two or three following days...We have been favoured by Mr. G. T. Home, one of the passengers, with a sketch of one of the groups of icebergs...Ninety-five icebergs were seen on the first day, but the total number counted was 212. Sometimes the vessel passed a group of ten or twelve thickly crowded together. A very heavy sea was running, and the wind blew almost a gale, with snow-squalls every few minutes, and clouds as black as night. A small printed paper, entitled "The Great Britain Chronicle," which was edited by Mr. Hatton, another passenger, during the voyage, reports the occurrence of this phenomenon a fortnight after sailing from Hobson's Bay. "It is a wonderful sight," observes the journalist, "just like Dover cliffs floating along. We are surrounded by a complete sea of ice. Passed eighty-three icebergs altogether to-day. Captain Gray is very anxious; he and three mates and four men on the look-out; I think him a first- rate seaman".' From "Illustrated London News", 1864.