twelve o’clock
Now , this angle by adding to it the twenty-seven degrees which separated Alpha from the antarctic pole , and by reducing to the level of the sea the height of the cliff on which the observation had been made , was found to be fifty-three degrees . These fifty-three degrees being subtracted from ninety degrees -- the distance from the pole to the equator -- there remained thirty-seven degrees . Cyrus Harding concluded , therefore , that Lincoln Island was situated on the thirty-seventh degree of the southern latitude , or taking into consideration through the imperfection of the performance , an error of five degrees , that it must be situated between the thirty-fifth and the fortieth parallel . There was only the longitude to be obtained , and the position of the island would be determined , The engineer hoped to attempt this the same day , at twelve o'clock , at which moment the sun would pass the meridian . It was decided that Sunday should be spent in a walk , or rather an exploring expedition , to that side of the island between the north of the lake and Shark Gulf , and if there was time they would push their discoveries to the northern side of Cape South Mandible . They would breakfast on the downs , and not return till evening . At half-past eight the little band was following the edge of the channel .