Viewing page 35 of 661
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
1861 June 27th Thurs accomplishing my purpose & perhaps ending with the destruction of my whole crew. When I lost the Boat designed & built for my voyage, I lost all reasonable means of making it. Thus one officer after another of the Whaler of the G.H. expresses his honest opinion that to carry out my purpose I require other means than that of such Boats as I am at liberty to select. [[underlined]] 'What am I to do?' [[/underlined]] is the [[underlined]] great question [[/underlined]] with me. Must I abandon this Cause I have espoused. Must I give it up? No! No!! If I do anything, it must be [[?best]] to [[underlined]] delay [[/underlined]] sufficient time [[underlined]] to secure [[/underlined]] effective, judicious Means. I feel to run all reasonable risks to carry out my purposes - but I do not think it a matter of wisdom that I should [[underlined]] throw away my life & that of others. [[/underlined]] My own judgement tells me that it would be running risks enough with that Boat (had I it) which was made & brought here for my voyage; but to commit myself, & cause others to do the same, to such Boats as are at my command, would be [[underlined]] the height of fool-hardings [[/underlined]] - especially, when such an experienced Commander - Navigator - in these Northern regions as Capt. Budington assures me that [[underlined]] he has fully examined into the matter [[/underlined]] & concluded that I cannot carry out my object [[strikethrough]] here [[/strikethrough]] with such Boats as already referred to. [[underlined]] I see no other way but to return to the States & try again. [[/underlined]] By this one year will be lost to me - but if [[underlined]] necessity [[/underlined]] demands it, I must not hesitate in adopting this (at present seemingly) the only reasonable course for me to take. In the meantime, between this & the return of the "George Henry" next Fall, I must do much work in charting the Waters & Coasts [[strikethrough]] between [[/strikethrough]] from the Western side of the entrance to "Northumberland Inlet" down to "Resolution Island". [[end page]] [[start page]] Friday June 28th 1861 A.M. 37° Wind thick fog - cloudy M P.M. Last night a rain storm. I accepted the presing invitations of the officers of the G.H. to take up quarters for the night in their commodious fire-warmed tent. This morning about 4, the gale settled down to a fresh breeze. I got up at 2 but after awhile turned in beside my sleeping partner "Smith", again. At IX A.M., one of the men, watching on flag staff hill, announced the near approach of Capt. B. with his 2 Boats. Of course we were all soon down to Budington ville landing, awaiting them. Lamb & his Boat & Boats crew came 1st. A few minutes after Capt. B. All looked thouroughly fatigued & wet. In the Boats were Walrus heads with ivory Ducks - Eggs & Venison showing that enough & an abundance - had been gathered to supply the "in-man". By Capt. B.'s report is that no Whales are yet in that part of the Bay he has just taken a cruise in. He returns a disappointed man - as indeed he might be from the persevering efforts he has made to make a voyage of Whales in Frobisher Bay. He now proposes of returning to the "George Henry" as soon as possible sledging back what is now here. He leaves Mate Rogers with one or two Boat's crews till the last moment to continue cruising for Whales. When the vessel breaks out of her ice prison at Rescue Harbor which will probably the last of July he (Capt. B.) intends to bring her to this Bay & penetrate to its utmost limits for the purpose of deciding whether there are whales here or not. The voyage must either be made up here or in Rescue Bay by the end of next fall when the G.H. starts for the States. Two wild geese were killed by the Innuits who manned Capt. B.'s Boat also 1 Rein-deer. Twenty nine deer were seen by the Innuits. The report of Capt. B. also tells that Innuits are the proper - the best parties for Boat or sledge excursions where they are to be continued several days in succession. For instance
