Viewing page 527 of 661
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
1861 Oct 31 Thurs The Gale has been a tempestuous one. Its howling among the masts & rigging has been long & unceasing. At hX-m30 I went on deck & was surprised to find the heavens overhead studded with stars. Around the horizon was a black cloud band reaching up 20 degrees that made a fine contrast to the cerulean dome pierced with star points. Friday Nov. 1, 1861 AM 16° N.E. Fresh Snowing (Snow Storm!) M 20° N.E. Strong Snow storm P.M. 17° N.E. " " " [[dittos for: Strong Snow storm]] The storm continued throughout the day. It is impossible to tell the quantity of snow that falls in these regions. Usually when it falls it is during winds that sweep furiously over the earth & ice. To-day have written a letter to Capt. B. & delivered it. The following is a copy: Capt S.O. Budington Barque "George Henry" Dear Sir It is now certain, "thick ribbed ice" has made you & your command its prisoners for 9 months to come in these Regions of storms, ice & snow, thus prolonging your voyage to 27 months instead of the 18, the No intended. Of course, you must feel that your great battle is to be for the necessary provisions to preserve the lives of those under your charge. I know that I do not mistake the noble hearts of those of my countrymen who contributed to my outfit for the mission on which I came here North, to wit:- 'To make a voyage to King William's Land - to resume & continue the history of Sir John Franklin's expedition & perchance rescue any possible survivor of it,' - when I say, that if the present [[end page]] [[start page]] 1861 Nov 1 Fri overwhelmingly momentous circumstances that now surround the souls belonging to the "George Henry" were known, [[underlined]] each one of those hearts [[/underlined]] would prompt me to the deed I herewith so heartily perform:- Whatever I have that will contribute to the sustenance of your ship's Co. the present Winter, the same is at your command. I have shot, Balls, Percussion Caps, & powder. Whatever amount of these that may be required the same will not be withheld. I have Nine Cans Pemmican of 100 lbs each remaining, also about 2 Casks "Borden Meat Biscuit" all of which are of the most excellent quality & equivalent to full Three thousand five hundred (3,500) lbs. Fresh Beef steak without bone. Now, in 9 months this will allow for your ship's Co. what is equivilent to about 13 lbs pure fresh Beef per day or 26 lbs per day for 4 1/2 months. I repeat all I have is most cheerfully contributed to the preservation of human lives. Yours ever C F Hall On Board George Henry Nov 1st 1861 On Capt. B's perusal of it he called me to him (he was reclining in his Birth) he handsomely thanked me for my timely proposition. Indeed, he offered to draw an order for the value of the the articles wanting on the owners of the vessel. But I tell him: 'No - I could not entertain such a proposition under such circumstances'. He said the owners would recompense anyway when we arrived Home. Capt. B. is anxiously awaiting fair weather that he may send off his boats to try whaling for Whales are yet numerous in the small space of open water in this Bay. Since Wedns. but few natives have been aboard on account the storm. Our table meal 4 1/2 O'clock this P.M. We get along very well under the new order of things. As before noted our fuel now jaw bone of Whale. Table meal to-night Meituk sea pie.
