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1861 Aug. 5 Mon.

he is half the space of the Tupik within being flooded with water.  I have been out several times to-day midst the pelting storm, but in so doing I am careful to be entirely within a water proof covering, keeping me dry & warm.  Long as one can be dry & well clothed he can be comfortable however inclement the weather may be.  I am thankful - tho' not half enough so - for the Blessings I enjoy from Above.  God grant me an humble & thankful heart, ever & ever.

8th Night in Tupik
Tuesday, Aug. 6th 1861

AM  N.E.  Modt.  Gale  Thick damp weather rain
M   N.E.  Gale  Wet clouds at the [[?baque]] to disperse
PM  N.E.  " [[ditto for: Gale]]  Sun out 5 1/2 PM

A gale with rain all last night.  This Morning & continuance every now & then of rain.  Nothing can be done in way of Ducking & sealing.  How like mountains of inaccessible heights are the obstacles in my way at every attempt to make my Frobisher Bay voyage.  Capt. B. makes an attempt & turns back before getting out of the Bay - & gives it up.  It is well that he did not proceede with the "George Henry" for here following his wise return is a continuance of almost an unabated storm of one week!  What would have been the fate of the vessel & all aboard had Capt. B.

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1861 Aug 6th Tues.

succeeded in getting around the Extreme of the tongue of land between this & Frobisher Bay before this storm came on?  God only knows.  There amidst impenetrable fog - a terrible storm of wind & rain - driven here & there in uncertain undetermined waters - midst shoals & Islands the contest would in all likelihood ended in the wreck of the vessel & lives of many & perhaps all lives aboard.  I look upon it as a Providential escape from almost certain destruction to human life & the G.H.  The turning back [[underlined]] at the very time Capt. B. did, was one of the wisest acts of a careful, able Seaman. [[/underlined]]  How thankful ought we all to be that it was so ordered.
Had Gardiner & Lamb with their crews arrived at the G.H. at the time Mate Rodgers did, the vessel would have been under way hours before, & thus have been into Frobisher Bay, beyond the power of returning.  Who can doubt that a Kind - a Merciful Hand was in all this?  I do not - I cannot.
This N.E. Gale has driven much ice into the entrance of "Rescue Bay" as I saw this eve after the fog & rain had ceased.  To-morrow morning if weather will admit shall go over to the vessel to see what I can do about those Innuits I wish as crew