A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

Rensselaer Harbour June 8th

Sunday June 4

Brig Advance now frozen in quarters Rensselaer Harbour June 8th

140

Monday Oct 16

To day the after shoring commenced, a score was cut into the sheathing on either quarter and strong wooded cleets bolted transversely above it to receive the head of the shores. McGeary had to forge these bolts out of the iron framing girders of the galley House. Cold work at -20°.

At these temperatures we have to drive the bolts while hot as the cold would [?wise] splinter them like glass. I have now in my possession a well wrought bolt head, 3/4 in in diam and which had stood the heavy wrenching of Aug 1853. ~ proving its freedom from flaw - Clearly splintered off by the heel of a boot. The temperature being at the time 56 below zero. Even with our present temperatures the carpenter has suffered greatly with his chisels and other tools.

Morton is still out.

Tuesday Oct 17.

Last night Mr. Willon and our sight seer Thomas Hickey reported a wolf at the meat house. I went out the therm at -24°. Mittenless and with a single cartridge in the Marston rifle. After a vain search my hands burning from contact with the metal, I saw a black animal runing from me at long shot. By a rare good fortune my ball fired in the darkness gave but a slight flesh wound for the poor thing turned out to be one of our best dogs, escaped from Mortons team.

The work of lifting the stern continued. One part of the chain sling was passed amidships, and the brig released from the ice by the axe & saw. Cold work! Mr. Wilson no better.

283

[*omit*]

Monday. 10 P.M.

After repeated sweat baths and morphine sleeps I have worn myself nearly into working harness, our little party do all that they can for each other and there are as yet none of the descensions which sickness so often induces among over crowded companions.

Mr. Goodfellow, who has for some time been relieved from all duty and allowed to make himself entirely at home, has again broken out with his unfortunate temper. There have been no restrictions of late, not even our domestic regulations placed upon Mr. Goodfellow. I tried to make him perfectly happy wishing to try for Tom's sake a last experiment. His duties I took upon myself, and arduous as they were took them cheerfully feeling that by this course I saved him and us from his personal assaults and bickering, upon & with his messmages. No use! The man is no gentleman! I have been cheated deceived - he is low - ungallant, and petty in his impulses I cast him off. He has deceived Tom, deceived me, degraded himself.

Poor Brooks is as single minded and faithful a man as I ever knew. His simplicity & harmlessness make it impossible for him to give offence, and his want of education makes him open to a sort of feeling which any cultivated or generous mind would recognize as a claim upon its sympathy and forbearance.

This poor - I now think [debased?]

302

Friday Feb. 16

I keep today sixteen hours of observation watch. McGeary is off his legs and Goodfellow only allowed such duty as may be conducive to his health.

Thinking quietly over our condition, and God knows there is at least quiet around me, I can argue myself into good genuine trusty hope. At first sight our position seems an awful one. Out of eighteen men but six are now partially able to do the necessary duties of daily life, preparing food cutting it out from its frozen masses melting ice for water and breaking up the woodwork of our brig for fuel. Two of this party must hunt daily so that all this work [of the above] falls upon four men. [Of these I am one.]

The remaining twelve are disabled by Scurvy, and to the following extent [Messrs?] Brooks, Wilson, Riley Ohlsen and McGeary entirely unable to leave their berths. [except for the adjacent close stool.] [Mesr?] Goodfellow Sonntag George Whipple and Thomas Hickey crippled with stiff or useless limbs. Morton and George Stephensen are able to work around the mess table washing dishes &c, but ought with more propriety 15 be on their backs. Dr. Hayes free from Scurvy but with an unhealed amputation. When it is remembered that of the so called well and working, nearly all [all except ?] are tainted by the Scurvy, and [then?] liable at any moment to be rendered useless, and that a very little [erosion?] of disease would thus prevent

340

drink of it with relish. Another cask of beer, a diabolical[ly] concoction of flaxseed and quinine is under brew. The The rudely cultivated tastes of my party give me many opportunities for calling things generic by names specific and giving them all the zest that belongs to the well relished title. Thus this atomisation of rape, intended solely for their kidneys attacks their palates under the name of beer as if hops and malts were steaming from the barrel. Washing frictions and attention to comfort are now my only serious remedies, the potash is suspended and the ([Fr. Fern ?:]) iron used only in two bloody nosed cases. My greatest difficulty is to force change of position, airing of bedding, exercise; my one insurmountable trouble – to bring about changes of mental routine – moral impression interest, excitement &c. My task is a hard and thankless one, totally unappreciated by my clients, and made Thank Heaven, without care or regard for their appreciation or non appreciation. "Thomas come out of your cot! Growling the poor fellow limps out. I give him my eider down coverlid and sleeping bench by the stove. "Mr. Ohlsen wash your legs." Growling the legs are washed and I loan them (the legs) a pair of clean blanket drawers. So I mix up orders and [bestowals] favors and so I pass my day.

To day I expended my last manila hawser for fuel, the temperatures remaining at the extraordinary mean of -52° during our hours of sleep. We are