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Monday Oct 8 1860
I have been deeply absorbed ^[[all day]] in my Navigation Books - especially with the Nautical Almanac & Astronomical Ephemeris. I do not spend the time I ought in physical exercise. At 7 o'clock this morning a White Whale [[strikethrough]] s [[/strikethrough]] - the northern
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beluga, [[underlined]] Beluga Catodon [[/underlined]] - was seen by us near Rescue Island within a pistol shot of the G.H. It moved along lazily coming up to blow every 1/2 minute. It appeared white as snow. Myan & his crew were lowering boat for cruising for the Mysteertus[[guess]] when this was seen. They hastened on to give chase to the beluga but their efforts were fruitless. It is said the White Whale is difficut to capture. Their appearance here is hailed as indication of the Greenland Whale (Bow Head) following after so may it be!
The wind has been in the SE & E to-day. At 11 AM it began to snow but soon ceased. To-night
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wind E.N.E. & now (o'clk 8 1/2) night, blowing almost a gale. Barometer has fallen near two tenths of an inch since VI o'clock, last night. It has fallen 3/4 of one tenth since 5 o'clock this eve.
These appearances indication a strong blow! Capt B. predicted this PM that to-morrow would be an [[underlined]] "informed bad day", [[/underlined]] as he denominated it. I hope to live & be enabled to make fair record of whatever takes place. One of the native crews found to-day on the S. side
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Rescue Bay the Whale's tongue which the late storm tore from its fastenings. It was of the later whale captured. This will yield full 10 barrels "train" entirely an oily tongue & one well worth having. No Whales seen save the White one. Two Boat's cre[[strikethrough]] s [[/strikethrough]]ws remained aboard
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this PM stowing down barrels of Beef & Pork that have been on decks for some time for the object of having "Strong" knock off their wood hoops & put them in iron, like "the old oaken bucket, the [[underlined]] iron [[/underlined]] bound bucket that hung in the well". When the contents of these barrels are out, oil is put into them, providing it is obtained, & thus carried back to the States. Wood hoops are inefficient to hold the barrels tight - at least for oil! The Rescue is to be used on the G.H. this Winter for fire-wood A portion is already on our deck awaiting the buck & saw of the Cook. Fragmenting portions of "My Budington" have already been of service as kindling & cooking wood. 
This is lamentable as I think of the early destruction of my favorite boat, but why regret when the Ways of the Great Controller of Events are always Right!
Tuesday Oct 9th 1860
The wind now around N.E. Bar. this morn 29.462 Ther. 28[[degree symbol]] Wind blowing fresh. 'Heavens in blackness! [[moon symbol]], [[symbol]] & [[symbol]] peering through the dark veil. This PM the wind has been increasing while now 8 1/2 o'clock it is blowing almost a gale. The Barometer's falling of yesterday & last night indicated that a gale was at hand. I made record to this effort wh. see. The anchors ^[[& chains]] have been placed in position for a storm. Capt. Budington has fore thought. In this lies ^[[the foundation of]] his good name as a successful navigator. Yesterday I could see from his various movement that he had