1881-11-23:1881-11-30

Thanksgiving and auroras.

Wednesday November 23rd 1881

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. They found that at 25 yds good light could be thrown on a target and also sufficient for sighting the gun.

The pendulum piers are now sufficiently high; and the erection of an ice house over them was commenced today. Weather clear, an aurora was observed at 9 a.m. It disappeared in short time; was of ribbon formation.The cooks are making great preparations for tomorrow’s dinner with the exception of the regulation turkey the menu is of the real Thanksgiving flavor.

Thursday, November 24th 1881

The day clear and favorable for the sports to be engaged in. Of course the drawbacks of darkness and cold must be taken into consideration. We are unfortunately in the dark period of the moon the presence of which would supply us with all the light we would require. Thermometer over 60 below the freezing point making this doubtless the coldest Thanksgiving day that has ever been celebrated.

At an early hour the men were all engaged in perfecting their arrangements for the different races; the cooks preparing their (hands?) and even the dogs making noisy demonstrations as if to show that they too entered into the spirit of the day.

After breakfast the first thing on the programme was the snowshoe race. It was called for 10 am: but for an hour before that time the clattering of the shoes could be heard through the quarters as the men tested the security of the fastenings. We all repaired to the course on the ice in harbor which was staked out and very imperfectly lighted. The distance was 200 yds and return. Eight competitors entered and a good start was effected. And now the affair became most amusing to the bystanders. Many of the men were not familiar with the cumbersome footgear and this added to the difficulty of finding the way over the ill light course, made their progress most awkward and erratic. The “Montreal Snowshoe Club” would have considered it a strange exhibition. An unperceived piece of ice would trip some luckless fellow up and away he would go floundering in the snow to serve as a footmat for his impetuous rivals who were following him with more haste than speed.

As soon as the unfortunate could recover his 2 x 4 feet he would probably be run into by some fleet footed Mercury who could not distinguish him from the surrounding snow in which he had been wallowing. Many were the mishaps before the goal was reached.

Sgts. Brainard, Ralston, Gardiner came in and won the first three prizes. They reached the home stake in the order in which they are named.

Prizes were: 1st Bot of pres. Peaches: 1 gill rum, (towel) and soap. 2nd 1 gill rum, towel and soap

We then repaired to the quarters where bets were settled and paid and other wagers laid on the result of the approaching running race. I found myself the winner of a large amount of tobacco (our legal tender) having backed Brainard against Gardiner, who was the favorite.

I acted as stakeholder for the party and in that capacity handed over a large amount of tobacco to the lucky gamblers.

The running race footrace now came up and after a tie between three of the six contestants it was soon over and the first place won by Ellis, Henry second and Linn third. Prizes; 1st 1 pt. rum, towel and soap, 2nd 1 gill rum and towel, 3rd 1/2 gill and soap.

The rifle shooting came last and most of the party engaged in it. Henry won the first prize (bot of pres. peaches, 1/2 pt rum and soap), Jens 2nd (1 gill rum, towel and soap) and Cross 3rd 1/2 gill rum and soap. (over) We were much interested in the result of the dog driving match between the two Esquimaux. They were made to understand it perfectly i.e. the arrangement, and set about harnessing up the dogs. While they were doing so we went inside the quarters expecting to be notified when they were in readiness so that we might see and regulate the start. However the canine Jehus took the matter in their own hands. We discovered they had gone and patiently awaited their return. They came in shortly at a terrific pace Frederick ahead thus winning the pipe and half pound of tobacco constituting the prize.

Three auroral streamers were observed.

We were now ready for dinner which was served at 4 o’clock. I give here the bill of fare which considering our distance from market was varied and palatable.

Our chef de cuisine excelled himself:

(Oyster soup, crabs, lobster salad, Eider Ducks, boiled ham, green corn, lima beans, asparagus, jelly cake, fruit and sponge cakes, Peach pie, blueberry pie, vanilla ice cream, coffee, warm biscuit, nuts figs etc.) After dinner grog was issued larger quantity than usual and songs were in order.

Lt. Greely having appointed me distributor of the prizes I attached the said role of each of the party and succeeded in getting up a most ridiculous dress suit for the occasion: an old long tailed coat of Jewell’s was transformed by the use of shears into a swallow tail of remarkable pattern, a dilapidated white vest, immense collar, profuse jewelry manufactured by the tinsmith, and an immense pair of Esquimaux boots completed the costume. Lt. Greely made us a short address after which I conferred the prizes.

Friday November 25th 1881

In chronicling our celebration of yesterday I lost sight of the fact that the first number of our paper was issued yesterday. It made a very good appearance and we the editors, thought it interesting. It was little appreciated however, by the majority of the party. Henry’s department was the personal column and some of his lists although perfectly harmless gave great offense to those who were alluded to. The bully Whistler as usual made a complete ass of himself. Frederick also considered himself greatly aggrieved. Although contributions had been solicited there was no response except from Lt. Greely who sent in a short letter over “Occasional.” For my part of the sheet see “Arctic Moon” of date Nov 24” editorial Arctic Moon account of Lt. K’s kindness to dogs Wrangle Bay trip, (?) from the Esquimaux, etc. Lt. Lockwood furnished the preamble and heroic account of and adventure of Lt. Kislingbury and Dr Pavy.

An Auroral arch was observed at 6:45 and other at 9:55 a.m. The latter was the most beautiful, exceedingly bright and of a delicate pale yellow color. Weather clear. Temperature low.

Saturday, November 26th 1881

Weather clear. An observation of the temperature of the sea was taken today with the following result. Temp at surface 28°0. Thickness of ice 29”

Sunday November 27th 1881

Temperature low. Cross while taking a walk had his ear frozen. Lt. Kislingbury and I walked to Dutch Island as a constitutional. Notwithstanding the exercise of great care on my part I froze one of my cheeks.

At 10 a.m. an auroral streamer was seen.

The laugh is decided against Sgt. Brainard today. He started with two or three companions to walk to Dutch Island, which by the way, is the objective point of all pedestrians, the intervening path being well beaten, and was not aware that the two Eskimos had preceded him. It is very dark now and they had proceeded but half way when by the dim light they saw what they supposed to be a pack of ravenous wolves emerging from the ice hummocks and making for them. They were unarmed but Brainard with great coolness told his companions to get their knives in readiness and prepared to repel the onslaught of the ferocious beasts. Hastily opening their knives some of them insignificant pen knives they stood in an agony of suspense until the near approach of the animals proved them to be dogs that had accompanied the Eskimos and had started on in advance to meet the new party with demonstrations of delight and no belligerent intention whatever.

Monday Nov 28th, 1881

Several appearances of auroral light were observed today. Temperature low. I hauled six loads of ice with the Eskimos and dog team. This furnished me with an amount of exercise which is beneficial, but arduous. I find the dogs more interesting than one would suppose. They exhibit remarkable sagacity and intelligence. Nothing, however, can overcome their propensities for fighting. During the couple of hours I was engaged with them I noticed nine different encounters which were usually general, no non-combatants to be seen.

They have divided into two parties and it does not appear possible to associate one party with the other. I was only using one team and the other apparently jealous of the preference shown the first barred the road at every point where it was possible and contended the passage of the loaded sledge. I was compelled to precede the team and drive them off. Lunar halo and mock moons were seen at 3:30 p.m. They presented a beautiful appearance.

Tuesday Nov 29th 1881

I hauled ice as usual in the morning. Jewell being ill I took the observations from 4 p.m. until midnight. New aurora observed. Weather clear all day- lowest temp observed -37.5° F.

Wednesday November 30th, 1881

During the day the temperature fell to -43°. The Mercury froze at -37°.9. While taking the 3 p.m. observation Gardiner while on his way to the tidal gauge fell and fractured his leg above the ankle. I finished his tour and will take his place at midnight. Being desirous of completing my knowledge of German and Biederbeck wishing to improve his English we have made an arrangement by which we shall interchange instructions in our mother tongues. We had our first lesson this evening.