Viewing page 248 of 309

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

1861 Apr 10 Wedns

Ebierbing & Koodloo returned this Morn with dogs & Kumiti 
Sterry left with "Jim Crow, the Innuit, for Frobisher Bay settlement. From thence Sterry goes down to Whale Fishery Depot intending to stop there for some time with Miner ([[space]]) who [[strikethrough]] goes [[/strikethrough]] is going to pursue Walrus [[strikethrough]] hunting [[/strikethrough]] - capturing them if he can.

Que-jes-se & young Smith started off this Morning with another load ship's stuff for Whale F. Depot. - They anticipate some difficulty from the late heavy fall of snow wh. is not as yet so [[underlined]] "hard as a brick" [[/underlined]] the usual standard of travelling foundation wanted here. They return to-morrow.

This A.M. The "try-Works" were in full blast - both Kettles - not exactly boiling blubber of the Greenland Whale - but boiling [[underlined]] blubber of Western Whales [[/underlined]] - three barrels of Pork all in the Kettles at once!

This material for the use of the men at the Whaling Station by Frobisher Bay.

To-night magnificent display of Aurora!  At 9 o'clock a long line, or Arch, extending from the W. to E. (middle South of the vessel) began to lift itself from the horizon. [[strikethrough]] At the Arc [[/strikethrough]] I noticed a peculiarity of this night's display worthy of record. When the Auroral Arch had been raised (in its center) about [[strikethrough]] 2 [[/strikethrough]] - three degrees above the horizon, (due S;) a long line of narrow black clouds rested parallel with [[strikethrough]] the Arch [[/strikethrough]] the [[strikethrough]] base [[/strikethrough]] base of the Aurora
[[image - sketch of Aurora as described above. Center bottom 'S.', bottom right 'W']]

[[end page]]
[[start page]]

1861 Apr 10 Wedns

Slowly the Arch (its legs E & W remaining fixed) mounted the heavens, & all this time the clouds become less & less black till they were finally exhausted 

The clouds were as [[underlined]] dark [[/underlined]] as "Thunder Clouds" when I 1st came there. In 1/2 hour when they were, the Stars shone brightly.  They seemed to follow up as the Arch was lifted.

When the Arch became elevated 25[[degree symbol]], other belts of Aurora sprung into action so that there was a sight worthy the admiration of a Superior order of beings to that of human.

To-day I purchased of Capt B the Chronmeter of the Rescue (one that belonged to that schooner before she was wrecked) agreeing upon the price of two hundred dollars. If the owners, Williams & Haven, can afford to call it less, it is understood that my order for its pay shall be made to correspond.

Thursday, April 11/61

O'clk Ther Bar
AM 6 -5 - 28.675 Wind NW Light (Fine)
AM IX 0 - 28.675 " " " [[dittos for: Wind NW]] Fresh " [[ditto for: (Fine)]]
M - 0 - - 28.40 " " " " " [[dittos for: Wind NW Fresh (Fine)]]
PM 6 -4 28.850 " " " " " [[dittos for: Wind NW Fresh (Fine)]]
" [[ditto for: PM]] IX -10 28.875 " " " " [[dittos for: Wind NW (Fine)]] A [[?]] X.

Que-jesse & Smith (the younger) returned at 12 M. - They were obliged to throw off a part of the load shortly after they started.

I have state that I shall make record of many observations (Astronomical & Geographical) leaving them to be worked up on my return to the States. There will be (unavoidably) a multitude ( if [[underlined]] I make several multitudes in all [[/underlined]] wh. I hope to do) that will be erroneous.

Nevertheless, [[underlined]] I shall do what I can [[/underlined]] to make my observations reliable.
As I mentioned yesterday, I have made a purchase of the "Rescue" - Chronometer. Without it I can accomplish little, comparatively. There is nothing that has weighed more heavily upon me than the want - the [[underlined]] necessity [[/underlined]] I may say - of a [[underlined]] good [[/underlined]] time piece. I have agreed to draw an order on Henry Grinnell of NY. my most staunch & deeply beloved friend, thinking that I