Talk:History of Antarctica

Nathaniel Palmer Meets Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen at sea and shows him Palmer Land

This meeting was also described by Bellingshausen himself, (Dwukratnya, etc., Vol. II., pages 263, 264).

Captain N. B. Palmer, was fitted out at Stonington, Connecticut, on a voyage to the South Shetlands. From Captain Pendleton's report, as rendered on their return, it appeared that while the fleet lay at anchor in Yankee Harbor, Deception Island, during the season of 1820 and 21, being on the lookout from an elevated station, on the mountain of the island during a very clear day he had discovered mountains (one a volcano in operation) in the south ; this was what is now known by the name of Palmer's Land ; from the statement it will be perceived how this name came deservedly to be given to it, and by which it is now current in the modern charts. To examine this newly discovered land, Captain N. B. Palmer, in the sloop Hero, a vessel but little rising forty tons, was dispatched ; he found it to be an extensive mountainous country', more sterile and dismal if possible, and more heavily loaded with ice and snow, than the South Shetlands ; there were sea leopards on its shore, but no fur seals ; the main part of its coast was ice bound, although it was in the midsummer of this hemisphere, and a landing consequently difficult.

"On the Hero's return passage to Yankee Harbor she got becalmed in a thick fog between the South Shetlands and the newly-discovered continent, but nearest the former. When this began to clear away, Captain Palmer was surprised to find his little barque between a frigate and sloop of war, and instantly run up the United States' flag ; the frigate and sloop of war then set the Russian colors. Soon after this a boat was seen pulling from the commodore's ship for the Hero, and when alongside, the lieutenant presented an invitation from his commodore for Captain P. to go on board ; this of course was accepted. These ships he then found were the two discovery ships sent out by the Emperor Alexander of Russia, on a voyage round the world. To the commodore's interrogation if he had any knowledge of those islands then in sight, and what they were. Captain P. replied, he was well acquainted with them, and that they were the South Shetlands, at the same time making a tender of his services to pilot the ships into a good harbor at Deception Island, the nearest by, where water and refreshment such as the islands afforded could be obtained ; he also informed the Russian officer that his vessel belonged to a fleet of five sail, out of Stonington, under command of Captain B. Pendleton, and then at anchor in Yankee Harbor, who would most cheerfully render any assistance in his power. The commodore thanked him kindly ' but previous to our being enveloped in the fog' said he 'we had sight of those islands, and concluded we had made a discovery, but behold, when the fog lifts, to my great surprise, here is an American vessel apparently in as fine order as if it were but yesterday she had left the United States ; not only this, but her master is ready to pilot my vessels into port ; we must surrender the palm to you Americans,' continued he, very flatteringly. His astonishment was yet more increased, when Captain Palmer informed him of the existence of an immense extent of land to the south, whose mountains might be seen from the masthead when the fog should clear away entirely. Captain Palmer, while on board the frigate, was entertained in the most friendly manner, and the commodore was so forcibly struck with the circumstances of the case, that he named the coast then to the south, Palmer's Land ; by this name it is recorded on the recent Russian and English charts and maps which have been published since the return of these ships. The situation of the different vessels may be seen by the plate ; they were at the time of the lifting of the fog and its going off to the eastward, to the south, and in sight of the Shetland Islands, but nearest to Deception Island. In their immediate neighborhood were many ice islands, some of greater and some of less dimensions, while far off to the south, the icy tops of some two or three of the mountains on Palmer's Land could be faintly seen ; the wind at the time was moderate, and both the ships and the little sloop were moving along under full sail.

Apexdale (talk) 10:10, 5 March 2024 (UTC)