A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

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1/3 of a barrel. Of coffee we are reduced to one mess per diem.

With the coming moon I expect heavy cold, not only as a compensation for the past warmth but as paving the way for the almost necessary warmth [which?] must attend the circum=polar sun of April.

Sunday Feb 19

On the 19th A bad day the cold seemed to [have] fairly set in breaking up our strange spell of warmth the therm rapidly falling gives [D?] -36°

William returned unsuccessful. He crossed the hummocks but was afraid of the solitude "it was so quiet" was his poetic excuse [miserable cowards]!

Hans had a fair shot at the Reindeer but – sad luck – the cap failed. [No fresh meat — cases same.]

Monday Feb. 19

[*omit*] In spite of wind started the work – cut a double sky light over galley. All of our operatives cutting glass in their bunks. Bill Morton and Bonsall cleansing paint & wood work, scraping floor &— Wilson worse. Hans brings in a rabbit.

Tuesday Feb. 20.

Mr. Goodfellow reported or rather found on examination - scurvy. I today changed his bunk, giving the steward my own and placing him in Morton's. Completed clearing below and arranged our new stove. [end omit]

Mr. Ohlsen shows unpleasant head symptoms. He is quite insane. No hunting to day and of course no meat.

Wednes. Feb. 21

To day the crests of the N.E. headland were gilded by true sunshine, and all who were able assembled on deck to greet it.

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The rapidity of such changes in a temperature so low (-35°) seems curious, but the Greenlanders say that extreme cold is rather a promoter than otherwise of the process. All the gramnivorous animals have the tendency to a high degree as is well known to butchers. The sheep and young calf I believe especially. Our buffalo hunters, when they [do] condescend to clean a carcase do it [instantu?] and I am informed that the musk ox is sometimes tainted after a [very] few minutes exposure. None of these, however, are probably as [good?] examples as to sensitive [to the decomposing and self absorptive processes as this arctic ruminant.] This Reindeer the Exquimaux find it necessary in the coldest weather ~ at [Yotlik?] (and Horse' Heads) Lat 73°.40, to rip open the animal, withdraw all the viscera and fill cavities with cold stones.

John, our cook, taken down with "pains" - this is a severe blow he was our strongest worker. William Godfrey takes his place at the rate of $30 per month. This same is given as a private transaction & not implying any reattachment to the role of the brig. All of the party who dissolved their connection with the Expedition in order to attempt their foolish Journey South were regarded as stricken from the Articles - Both John & William, however, are made aware that good behavior in their oresent positions will be the best stepping stone to my good opinion and a future reception among the true members of our party. This and their subsequent pay I will leave entirely to Mr. Grinnell. At present I have a

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[*omit*] a singularly harmonious and considering its fearful reduction of members, efficient ship. It wears into me, however, Yes Elish Kane dream away all dreams of youth. Think no longer of a married home. Bless God if you carry your gray beard and wrinkled to the dear old one, and there earn back old loves.

It is sharp how that Grinnell family have intermingled themselves with my home affections, the moment I step beyond the sacred portals of home, they come in, as claimants to my love and regard. Mrs. Grinnel reminds me of Mother and shares with me the place which from earliest infancy belonged to Aunt Eliza. Mr. Grinnell, by George I can't speak of him - Cornelius is most unaccountably my confidential friend, I too so reserved and cautious of such an anomolous relation. There is not a member of the household from little Sylvia to Mrs. Watts who is not thought of by me in this bleak horrible desert, as mingling with the distant and barely possible pleasures which may wellcome me, a worn out saddened man, to a world of social life. [end omit]

Sunday Feb. 25.

[*omit*] John continues sick, and William Godfrey is a mere baby at work, so that both Bonsall and myself have] [end omit] All up now with John who tried till yesterday to do our cooking to toil like [?]. Gallant Morton who made our bread and although bed ridden by day, was always able to lend a helping hand at night is now permanently down. [I trust that Brooks, Ohlsen are both better.]

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[*omit*] of the seceders. He got his pay, signed his receipt in full, "for services rendered as astronomer" and went his way. Now he is back again with his draughts in his pocket dependant upon me for every thing. He gets every thing that I can give, except his deserted post — that he will never get. The man is very jesuistical and smooth I trusted him once, and have been well cured of it.

Obliged to work with Bonsall as also to aid in the cooking. — The sick are about the same, Brooks better but Ohlsen worse. The Ptarmagan was served out raw among Messrs. Goodfellow, McGeary, Brooks & Ohlsen – this delicious bird thawed or frozen is a great delicacy. [end omit]

Wed. Feb. [29?]

[Petersen caught another, his sixth fox. I serve out a part of him in frozen slices.]

To day a hard day. Hans was off with his gun. Petersen moping. John down worse [with tooth ache]. Sonntag with scurvy asthma. [*omit*] Bill in his usual condition of demi worthlessness, so that Bonsall and self have been literally at work all day, the outside air gives -45° 49° and the cold is very penetrating. Cloth is a poor protection.

The Cabin is now much improved. We receive a partial light from the skylights and have an extra stove forward for drying the berths. My large stove draws well and we keep very comfortable without burning a pound of wood - hemp cable and manila hawser at about 80 lbs a day form our exclusive fuel. Morton is better. Ohlsen worse. Goodfellow on the verge of his grave refuses to speak to any one. Poor boy. I do my best for him. How sad a pity to bring him to cope with these coarse men in

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"warm spell" are either compacted [into] so hard as to be traversable material or are completely dissipated by the heavy winds! The atmospheric changes are rich in valuable studies but have barely [find means of sustaining our] strength to carry on our routine observations.

[*copy*] Two attempts [were] have been made by my order to reach the huts (* both failed and both I firmly believe for want of [pluck] nerve. [THe thing is perfectly feasibly, and of essential necessity I have not thought enough to carry a sledge and can no longer, on account of the snow, trust to denuded ice. My own two attempts, made in the midst of the darkness, convince me that the thing can be done. Oh that I [had beef to my bones!] dared leave these poor devils for but one week. But there are dangers here too. I am left the only man on board, a modest assertion, God knows I wish it was not a true one. [end copy]

The interior of our den has under gone a complete reorganization, daylight = twilight is admitted, a drying stove added to our gally and this latter veteran made to carry off our undue smoke and vapours. So much for the actual changes of the month. -- March opens upon us tomorrow. Pray God that his reign may be short and a mild April put an end to our winter.

(* Petersen Id. 3 Hans & Godfrey Id. 15. p. 301