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+ 1860 Sunday Nov 25 O'Clk VII-n45 Night A Gale of terrible severity is now prevailing - Indeed from the appearances we are to have "a night of it." The ice N.W. of us is fast giving way. We watch its progress anxiously, fearfully, tremblingly. Another hour, if the gale continues, may find us adrift! Nearly all hands had turned in. They are now called out for dropping the other anchor & making the chains fast to the foremast. This foresight of Capt. B's relative to chains & foremast is to ensure security in case the Windlass should give way during the Storm, it may be subjected to if the ice about us is [[strikethrough]] should be [[/strikethough]] forced away. As I write, the Gale increases - [[underlined]] It now blows almost a hurricane! [[/underlined]] It is from the East. - Passing over Davis Straits which is as yet open water, the wind gets well warmed giving us here now the high temperature of 30° 1/2. Barometer 29.362 & fast falling. It is conjectured that some of the natives who visited the "George Henry" to-day from the upper village on their return this Eve may have [[strikethrough]] been driven [[/strikethrough]] gone adrift upon the ice. The ice over which they passed [[underlined]] to us [[/underlined]] soon after [[underlined]] passed away [[/underlined]] before the gale. As they started homeward, it was their purpose to pass up on the ice some six miles, on the N. East side of the Bay & then cross [[strikethrough]] over [[/strikethrough]] & back to the [[strikethrough]] island [[/strikethrough]] where is the Upper Village. An hour after leaving us, several miles of ice within view of the vessel lying in their track, were swept away, leaving turbulent [[strikethrough]] dancing [[/strikethrough]] billows in its place. We await the morrow to learn the fate or escape of our Esquimaux [[end page]] [[start page]] 1860 [[symbol: cross]] Sunday Nov 25 friends of whose number was the noble Kujesse! Every few moments; some one comes down & reports the appearance of the ice toward the open water N.W. So long as [[underlined]] the ice [[/underlined]] in our harbor, remains firm, our vessel is safe. But if it goes, the "George Henry" goes &, of course, we with it. All the Anchors & chains of a large fleet would be of no avail! This is the opinion of Capt. B. & his officers. God hath determined the work of this night! He showeth His Power & Majesty in the Storm! - He showeth to man how feeble mortal hands [[underlined]] are [[/underlined]] when He rideth upon the deep casting up waves from the lowest depths to the heavens! Upon Thee, O, God, I cast my all. Do with me as though will. Thy Will - not mine - be done! I know I am in the hands of a Just God - of a [[underlined]] Merciful God. [[/underlined]] IX o'clk - m45 The gale within the last 15 minutes has abated slightly. I have just returned from deck - Yes, from [[underlined]] aloft [[/underlined]] where I've been to get a better view of the approaching disruption. It is nearer than it looks to be from deck. Our hopes are strong that a further abatement of the blow will follow. Bar. at (this time) 29.312, Ther 30° This has been a Season for Winds - Gales, Storms & Hurricanes! One month ago to-day one of the most terrific Huricanes known to the "oldest inhabitant", was sweeping over & around us, piling up on the Rock island close by, one vessel after another - one boat after another - till 4 in all were there! It will be recollected that for many hours we expected the "George Henry" to add another to the numbers.
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