This book contains James Weddell's account of his 1822-4 voyage to the Southern Ocean. Weddell was a seal hunter and undertook several voyages to the ocean to find new hunting grounds.
In February 1823, Weddell, in command of the brig Jane, ventured further south than any expedition had before. Due to the seas appearing clear of ice, Weddell theorised that the sea continued all the way to the South Pole, unaware of the existence of Antarctica. Indeed, if he continued to sail south for another two days, Weddell would have reached the continent.
In honour of his achievement, the vast area of ocean he sailed into became known as the Weddell Sea.