A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

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Pages That Mention Barentz

Elisha Kent Kane Private Journal

Page 22
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Page 22

[verso] Sunday, Apr. 29. 8. P.M. No Mitek . Eider duck has not flown this way.

Our sick get along bravely Mr. Wilson Mr. Goodfellow and Sonntag - being the only cases which hang back. God willing we can piggy-back them in case of need

The state of preparation considering our recent helplessness is satisfactory and unlooked for but still with the wide area of ice between us and the water, we are behind hands.

My plan is to construct two long sledges of 17.6 feet length - arra[n]ged so as to cradle stiffly our two remaining whale boats. The boats to be washboarded and strengthened with bottom timbers. These as soon as ready I move step by step towards Anoratok - the wind loved spot - which is to be filled up for a depot: - in the interim the provision bags and heavy articles of equipment will be taken down by our dog team. Hans and myself taking alternate trips Thus I hope that the heavy strain upon the boats will be postponed to the latest moment and the sick retained at the brig until a very short time before our final departure

Anoratok - or rather its empty hut will be fitted with a door, stove, and sleeping gear - and a half way tent erected at Basalt Camp - By those two [halts?] I hope to convey the three four sick who have not lost the use of their legs - to a comfortable spot where they can await the slow arrival of the main party.

In the mean time I will remain at the brig waiting until the changes of the season render certain the future imprison- ment of our little craft. For this I will retain four faithful henchmen and

[recto]

the red boat. now mounted upon her sledge the old "Faith." When the thing is clear and written signatures from my offi- cers declare the palpable fact of "no release" I put my documents - hard earned - into the Red Eric - and join my boats at Cape Alexander.

Every thing that my powers admit of I have done. I clung to the vessel and would cling to her yet but for the higher duty which I owe to my people. We can stay here no longer for our provisions are nearly gone. I'm starved out. Now if Mitek will only give me the means of completing a second travel I will feel my conscience clean and commit myself trustingly to the long journey.

Should Providence and dry powder carry us through this fearful medly of ice and water, we will have made a boat journey unexampled in the annals of trial that of Barentz' crew along the Lapland coast will be childs play beside it. Eighteen men with two frail boats no resources for animal food but their guns must travel [more than 1000] 900? miles over ice [and] water with the certainty that the changes of the season will freeze them in unless they travel this distance within a period which is fearfully short, for the means and resources of the party. This journey will be clogged by sick and rendered tardy by the want of animal force to drag our boats across the ice.

The day up to 4 P.M. was a busy one Sunday can no longer be a day of rest. Now however all around is quietude prayers are read. The sleepy sleep and the watchful talk in hopeful ignorance of the long tramp ahead of them.

Last edit almost 3 years ago by areasf
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