George Rice and the First International Polar Year Expedition

1882-04-11:1882-04-20

diary

rice

The gale brought with it as we before experienced warm temperatures and we were much surprised at 3 a.m. the therm. reading +10. The wind had so decreased as to enable us to…

1882-04-06:1882-04-10

Getting to Black Cape and Cape Rauson in a windstorm.

diary

rice

When we reached Lincoln Bay it was 6 a.m. We had made the distance, including stop at Wrangle Bay in 15 hours. The Dr. set to work to prepare us a meal and Jens and I turned…

1882-04-02:1882-04-02

Returning for a new sledge runner.

diary

rice

On our way back to snowhouse after our accident last night I told the Dr. that I could make the trip to home station, Fort Conger, and return on foot in five days and…

1882-03-23:1882-04-01

Setting up depots for others.

diary

rice

We spent a sleepless and uncomfortable night at temperature outside at -40. We had no effectual way of closing the entrance to the hut and the cold air entered without…

1882-03-15:1882-03-22

Putting out provisions.

diary

rice

I was busy all day making some more photographs and preparing for our start on Saturday. I made one negative of dogs hauling ice which turned out very well, the dogs having…

1882-03-08:1882-03-14

Preparing for a Greenland trip.

diary

rice

The subject of gas was agitated considerably today. The effects of the gas evolved from our stove has become a matter of grave importance. There are few of us who have not…

1882-02-23:1882-03-07

Spring planning.

diary

rice

I hauled my quota of ice. The quarters have become a perfect Babel or worse. The tinner, carpenter, tentmaker and shoemaker are all busily engaged at their several callings…

1882-02-09:1882-02-22

diary

rice

The light steadily increasing and has suggested the coming field work. Lt. Greely therefore inaugurates the preparation for it by setting Bender to work making spirit lamps…

1882-02-01:1882-02-08

diary

rice

Remarkable mock moons observed today. Connell’s birthday. He “does not care to celebrate it.” Says he has not any reason to show any appreciation of the chance of his birth.…

1882-01-21:1882-01-31

Daylight approaches.

diary

rice

Pendulum observations continued. Several fine displays of aurora were seen especially one of curtain formation—color white at some times. It was so bright as to throw…

1882-01-11:1882-01-20

A storm hits the camp.

diary

rice

Weather still continuing cold. Lt. Greely favors us with a lecture on “The Poles” which | did not have the pleasure of hearing as I was assisting Israel at the observatory.

1882-01-01:1882-01-10

Travels to read instruments, and the pendulum is completed.

diary

rice

This is my first opportunity of setting down the new ’82. Jewell and Lynn started for Mount Campbell the highest point on Bellot Island to read the anemometer and…

1881-12-19:1881-12-31

Christmas and the New Year approach.

diary

rice

Began reading new tide gauge, and Gardiner up for first time today.

1881-12-10:1881-12-18

Jens tries to run away, and George fractures his shoulder.

diary

rice

Lt. snow during the afternoon. Lt Greely issued an order for all hands to return at 11 p.m. as he considers it demoralizing to sleep at all times as we do now, as there is…

1881-12-01:1881-12-09

Fetching ice and building a pendulum.

diary

rice

I took up the duty of making the hourly observations again at midnight. The most difficult part of the tour is that leading to the tidal gauge. We are compelled to descend…

1881-11-15:1881-11-22

Planning a camp newspaper.

diary

rice

newspaper

The weather’s still cold. Several acids and oils were placed in the instrument shelter to determine the relative freezing point. They all became much denser in a short time.…

1881-11-23:1881-11-30

Thanksgiving and auroras.

diary

rice

thanksgiving

Brainard and Cross were experimented this morning on the feasibility of lighting a short rifle range artificially for the use of the marksmen in the coming Thanksgiving.…

1881-11-08:1881-11-14

Fires in the camp.

diary

rice

expeditions

I forgot to state in yesterday’s entry that on our way back we found “Gypsy” safe and sound. She had increased her progeny to triplets. We wrapped them all in deer skin and…

1881-11-01:1881-11-07

Expeditions with not enough gear.

diary

rice

expeditions

Remarkable deposit of hoar frost noticed by the observers. Sufficient was collected in gages to measure .05 of an inch. This measurement however includes all that has fallen…

1881-10-14:1881-10-31

The disappearing sun, auroras, and coal.

diary

rice

camp

Weather fair, a Solar halo was observed between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The sun has condescended to shine for such a short time each day for a long time. Today Lt. Greely…

1881-10-06:1881-10-13

Setting up more depots.

diary

rice

camp

Our chief object in visiting the Bellows was to have the muskox meat left by the party in Sept. from the place the cattle had been killed to the icefoot that it might be…

1881-09-24:1881-10-05

Setting up more depots.

diary

rice

camp

Lt. Lockwood started with four men to convey the rations left by Brainard in St. Patrick’s Bay to Cape Beechey. I sent my photographic kit with instructions for him to leave…

1881-09-16:1881-09-23

Expeditions and wolves.

diary

rice

camp

Lt. Greely with Brainard and Bender started out to visit the United States Range of mountains. Connell was to accompany them one day’s march to assist in carrying the…

1881-09-08:1881-09-15

Making it back home.

diary

rice

camp

Started on our journey again 7 a.m. It is unnecessary to describe my suffering. Although the distance to St. Patrick’s Bay was short we were tramping until 10 p.m. before we…

1881-09-01:1881-09-07

On having the flu (rheumatism) while out.

diary

rice

rheumatism

The ravine at the foot at which we camped appeared to afford us a means of reaching the mountain top above and traveling overland to Wrangel Bay. Broke camp at 1:30 a.m. and…

1881-08-22:1881-08-31

Building the house.

diary

rice

ice

Light snow fell. The dogs are still dying off. Dr. Payve with the aid of Esquimaux Jens and Frederick is doing all that is possible to save them. Sulphur was administered.…

1881-08-08:1881-08-14

Reaching Lady Franklin Bay

diary

rice

ice

Strong northerly current. New ice formed in the small ponds in the pack at temp 30° F 1 1/4” in thickness. We are still drifting south — at 11 p.m. off Cape de Fosse.

1881-08-01:1881-08-07

Moving north, finally finding ice.

diary

rice

ice

The fog has been settling down here. Fortunately cleared away by the time we saw Cape Dudley Diggs. We soon after made the Carey Islands and the Proteus stood in to the land…

1881-07-24:1881-07-31

More provisioning.

diary

rice

greenland

Left Disco this morning at 2 a.m. and after a run of about sixty miles along the coast of Disco islands arrived in Rittenbank an were welcomed by a salute of three guns from…

1881-07-17:1881-07-23

diary

rice

greenland

This morning we are informed that a boat leaves here for (?) where Danish ship is lying about ready to start for Copenhagen and will carry our mail matter which can be sent…

1881-07-07:1881-07-16

Leaving Newfoundland

diary

rice

greenland

This morning the freight for the expedition that arrived per Hibernia was brought on board the Proteus and every preparation was made for a start — at noon, Capt. Pike gave…

Introduction

What exactly is this?

meta

What exactly is this project? It is a recreation of the diary of George W. Rice. George was the photographer of the expedition to Lady Franklin Bay in 1881, one of the…

Robert M Flight

Introduction

What exactly is this?

meta

What exactly is this project? It is a recreation of the diary of George W. Rice. George was the photographer of the expedition to Lady Franklin Bay in 1881, one of the…

Robert M Flight