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About noon fog raised and we sighted Berry Peak(?) dead ahead. Arrived off the land at 6P.M. and looked for Roger's Harbor. Capt. Hammar said that he did not care to go into the harbor as it was dangerous, for a heavy swell was still running from the S.W. About 2. miles East of the Harbor we sighted a high sand spit with a great deal of wood on it and landed our outfit in a heavy surf. Every thing was landed by 10:30 P.M. Started unloading at 7 P.M.
After unloading we slept on the ship but the wind arose from the south and we were called at 3 A.M. We had time to get our personal stuff ashore and the "Silver wave" departed with 3 whistles and a great deal of flag dipping and left us to our own resources. We have a good out fit and the fox tracks look promising so we should have a successful winter. The surprising thing to me is the weather. Nice gentle winds, with an uncommon amount of sunshine for this time of year, and not an ice cake in sight. We see an occasional seal [sout] some distance out xxx but if they were killed it is doubtful if we could get them. We have a dory but the
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surf is unceasing so it is very unpractical to launch the boat. I had a shot at a large walrus but missed. We all tryed tried our rifles, and no two shoot alike. One will shoot high, another low, and still another to the right or left. We have an Eskimo woman with us who is busy sewing clothing and she is doing very nicely. We are now busy stacking wood and getting quarters ready for the winters
After putting in about 16 hours of hard labor yesterday we took a rest today and did a little work which did not take much exeration. Too stiff. Heavy swell from the S. and a light breeze from the N.W. Crawford took a long walk inland and Maurer and I went about 3 miles to the westward and found xxx great quantities of drift wood. This is a good place for fuel. A large numb number of the things I ordered in Seattle did not arrive and a box of Prunes opened today were found to be maggoty. Rather a poor thing to do to a party going north.
A beautiful day. Maurer, Galle and I cut and stacked wood all day in preparation for hauling on the arrival of snow. Crawford built great boxes and and a tool chest. Saw a seal and
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dozens of sea gulls and terns. The gulls are all flying west, no doubt turning south at some point farther on. The surf is still running rather heavy and no ice in sight. There are a great number of white owls about and a few ravens, but we have not seen a sign of ptarmigan. Light breeze from the East and cloudy.
Everybody busy. Galle making tool chest. Maurer putting supplies in shape. Crawford getting metreological instruments up and myself repeating sled and dog harness. One seal seen, and numerous gulls. A heavy surf numming and a strong wind from the E.S.E. cold.
Max 37.5 Min 31.5 In thermometer redings beginning at this date, renders a minus mark (-) preceeds the reading, the reading will mean "plus" (+) All hands busy digging out the side of a end bank for space to pitsh our winter quarters We can use one side of the bank for a side of the house and the roof will be sod. The two ends will be built of snow blocks. We will pitch the 10x12 and the 8x10 tents end to end and will use the small U tent for a Kitchen and the large tent for living quarters. I have been feeding the dogs on cracklings caught in Nome but they are nearly gone so I had to cook for them today. Rotten potatoes (of which there are
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quite of a few) and crackling crumbs. There is no sign of ice and the prospect for seals looks rather gloomy until the ice doe come. There are a few seals about but they stay a long distance from shore and the surf is so heavy and the dory so hard to pull out that it is not advisable to go aftl after them. I think that they would sink now. Light breeze from the E. S. E. with occasional flurriess of snow. Cloudy.
Max 37.0 Min 24.8 1 Bear
Just after breakfast galle went up on the bluff near our camp and saw a bear about 2 miles inland Maurer and I took after him and shot him about 2 miles West of camp. He was a full grown male with a rather good skin which we carefully saved. The carcass was cut up and eached and will be hauled home when the xxx weather permits. Enough was carried home by us to feed the dogs in the mean time. Occasional flurries of snow from the West with a strong breeze. No sign of ice as yet.
Max 31.5 Min 24.4 1 Owl
All hands busy about camp at various duties. This afternoon I hitched up the dogs and started eat east to bring back a 4x6 plank that had been found a few days previous. About 2 miles east of camp I came to fresh bear Tracks going East. The dogs imediatly became
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excited and when I got them stopped I saw the be bear a quarter of a mile ahead. Havxxx Having an empty sled and no place to tie the dogs I returned to camp I was all alone and I did not feel justified in getting the dogs in a tangle. We did not go back after the bear for we already have the carcass of one out on the tundra and no way to bring it in. Very cloudy with an Easterly breeze with an occasional light flurry of snow. I shot a large owl near camp. I killed xxx xxx
Max 34 Min 27.5
All hands cut sod until we were forced to quit by a strong wind accompanied by a thick shower of soft snow. Spent the rest of the day making sleeping bags of blankets and finishing our gun cases. Not sufficient snow to haul logs for the house and too much surf for the dory. Skinned the owl and eat the carcass. Very similar to chicken and very good. Our seamstress busy making clothing. One seal seen and several foxes. Am feeding the dogs heavily trying to get them in working shape. Have already got the harness and sled in good working shape order. Hope the ice comes soon. Strong breeze from the N. W. with heavy flurries of snow.