![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
1861 Fri. Mar 15. I have been spending a good part of the day at work making a "Protractor", an instrument used in plotting a survey [[strikethrough]] at [[/strikethrough]] in constructing charts. It is a lamentable [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] matter with me that I have no case of Draughting instruments here - but Capt. B. has given me a parallel rule & a "Plane Scale". These with a pair of compasses must suffice. [[underlined]] I will do the best I can. [[/underlined]] Who will ask me to do more? God sparing my Life [[strikethrough]] & [[/strikethrough]] continuing my health & helping me in my Work, I will survey Frobisher Bay and much else by 1st of July next. Saturday, Mar. 16 1861 Ther. A.M. - 14 ^[[strong]] Gale N.E. (Snow) " [[ditto for: Ther.]] M + 4 Calm weather [[strikethrough]] Thick [[/strikethrough]] thick. " [[ditto for: Ther.]] PM - 12 " [[ditto for: Calm]] Clear Aurora & Stars (VII AM) We are having a "Nor Easter" - a gale accompanied with snow. (Two hours later) The wind has whipped around to the Nor West still blowing strong. (Night generalizing) Seeing the Cook this Morn exchanging the "Salt Junk" & Pork that had been suspended in a rope netting for several days to freshen down in the tarrioke (Sea-water) through the fire-hole of the ice I approached him. [[strikethrough]] All [[/strikethrough]] I [[strikethrough]] noted [[/strikethrough]] noticed that several shrimps (of the species [[underlined]] Crangon vulgaris [[/underlined]]) were attached to what meat the Cook had just drawn out & that many deep holes in the "Salt Junk" had been eaten out by these little creatures. So it seems other than Man will partake of this poisonous stuff! I say 'poisonous stuff' for such, I believe is salted meat. At least its effect upon the G.H. company is very much like it! [[end page]] [[start page]] 1861 Sat. Mar 16 The "Protractor" which I am making is of copper. Capt B. sent Smith over to the dismantled, wrecked "Rescue" for the material. Smith "ripped" off a sheet of her sheathing - therefore I am furnished with a capital relic with wh. I shall be enabled to construct charts of the region about here embracing the Bay I have named in commemoration of one of the vessels of the 1st Grinnel Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin. The gale broke about IX AM - by 12 (M) it was calm. I was much interested to day in the statements of [[strikethrough]] this [[/strikethrough]] the following fact by Capt. B. In his last voyage here North (1858 & 9) the Tobacco [[strikethrough]] of the "Georgiana's" supply the [[/strikethrough]] of the vessel under Cap. B.'s command, the "Georgiana" became exhausted. Some of the men who had but a trifle left supplied [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] their companions at the rate of 24. per lb! At last all was gone. The inveterate tobacco smokers & chewers would have given weight for weight - bulk for bulk in gold for tobacco! This is a fact. Capt. B. says he has known other cases where the ship's supply of this villanous weed has "given out" & the men thus circumstanced [[strikethrough]] in [[/strikethrough]] willing to give anything for even a "Chew"! The wind to day, at times, has changed to various points of the compass This Eve (m15 before IX) going upon deck, a beautiful display of the Aurora met my
Transcription Notes:
Reviewed