noon
CHAPTER XXI . THE ISLAND BECOMES AN ISLET . Three hours later the last relics of the ice-wall had disappeared , proving that the island now remained stationary , and that all the force of the current was deep down below the waves , not on the surface of the sea . The bearings were taken at noon with the greatest care and twenty-four hours later it was found that Victoria Island had not advanced one mile . The only remaining hope was that some vessel should sight the poor shipwrecked creatures , either whilst still on the island , or after they had taken to their raft . The island was now in 54 ° 33 ' latitude , and 177 ° 19 ' longitude , several hundred miles from the nearest land , namely , the Aleutian Islands . Hobson once more called his comrades together , and asked them what they thought it would be best to do .