Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Morton Henry Moyes sledging diary, 13 March 1912-31 October 1912
MLMSS 388/Box 1/Item 3
[Page 4]
[Previous pages not transcribed]
Morton H. Moyes sledging diary
Antarctica, March 13th 1912
[Page 5]
Wt per man per day 34 ozs
Sledging rations per man, per day
1.5 pemmican
1.5 Emerg Ration
2 chocolate
4.3 sugar
1 plasmon 2 spoons tea
.7 cocoa
12 plasmon biscuit
5 cruched wholemeal bis.
Breakfast
1 cup hoosh (for 3, 1 cup pemmican, 3 spoon Emerg Ration, 1 cup broken biscuit, pepper & salt)
1 cup tea
8 lumps sugar
2 plasmon biscuits
1 spoonful plasmon powd
Dinner
2 plasmon biscuits
(2 oz) 14 cakes (1" x ½") chocolate
1 cup tea
8 lumps sugar
Tea
1 cup hoosh
2 plasmon biscuits
1 cup cocoa
8 lumps sugar
[Page 6]
March 13th Wednesday
Put up Wireless Masts in morning. Cliff fell & smashed rest of floe at 8a.m. Lunch at 11.30. Dressed and left punctually at 1pm. Wild & Jones in lead Harrison & Dovers middle Hoadley & self (heaviest) polers. Set off S 20° E. Watson & Kennedy farewelled & former took photos. Had a S.P.S.C. flag on sledge.
Temp starting 23
Barom. 28.95
Went Ό mile on course then turned S. 17 1/2° W. & went till 5pm
Did [indecipherable] miles odd total
[Page 7]
Clothes & sledging bag
Wear
1 combinations
1 singlet
1 pygama trousers
2 pair socks
1 finnsko + senna grass.
1 sweater
1 burberry trousers
1 burberry blouse
1 felt cap
1 burberry cap
1 pair mitts
1 pair gloves
Bag
1 pygama suit [ticked]
3 pairs bed socks [ticked]
3 pairs day socks [ticked]
1 pair finnskos
senna grass.
1 pair felt gloves [ticked]
1 tin tobacco [ticked]
1 tin cigarettes [ticked]
4 boxes matches [ticked]
1 diary & log book [ticked]
1 Lamentations of Christ (Kempes) Yet another day [ticked]
1 Longfellow Extracts. (carry)
1 Macaulays History Mary. [ticked]
[Page 8]
Total distance 7 miles 710 yds. Pitched camp. Wild, Harrison & self in one. Had tea at 20 minutes past 5. Allowance one cup hoosh, one cup cocoa with 8 lumps sugar & 2 Plasmon biscuits.
Temp at 6 pm 12° F.
Barometer 28.85.
In bed at 6.15 & writing up diaries.
Course was flat, sastrugi not difficult. Dodged 2 crevasses & Jones got down one crack. Could see wireless masts over 5 miles
[Page 10]
Tuesday 14th March
Called 5.35 a.m.
Breakfast, smoke & struck & left 7.10am
Temp at 6 a.m. 2° F.
Barometer 28.80.
Course S13° W.
Stopped at 9 am
Temp 10° F
Barom 28.8
Clouds Stratus . Cirrus
Slight Cc-Cu
Distance 3 miles 1160.
Total : 11 miles 110.
Sastrugi due S.
Wind. Slight due S.W (Compass).
[Page 11]
Thursday
12 p.m.
Temp 22° F
Barom 28.85.
Sky clear with scattered cirrus.
Wind 0-1 S
3 p.m. Temp. 16° F
Barom 28.87
Cirrus & Ci-Cu (N.A). S to N
Wind 0-1
6p.m. Temp. 3° F
Barom. 28.87
Cirrus & Ci Cu
Distance all day 12 miles 500 yds
[Page 12]
Thurs March 14
Breakfast 5.45 Left 6.7
Hoadley & self in lead over bad surface. Sinking to tops of finskos. Course S.13 W. Did 7 miles 750 yds till dinner at 12, with 2 short stops. Last 4 miles course S. 33 W. 1 hr 20 mins tent up, dernier smoke & tent struck. Left 1.20 pm. Dovers & Harrison leading. Course same & better track. 2 short stops. Wind & temp dropping Lost tent & I went back Ό mile for it. Tired at night stopped at 5 p.m. see cliffs more clearly. Temp down to 3°F & Bar 28.89. Ord tea. Joking evening altho all tired. In sleeping bags at 6.45 Diaries & smoke
[Page 13]
Friday March 15th
Temp.
..Bar.
Cloud
Wind
6
-14° F
.28.99
..ci-cu
.0
9
-2° F.
.28.97
..cu
..0-1
12
.20° F.
29.05
..st.a&c.cu
0-1
3
14° F.
29.18
..clear
.0-1
5
.28.88
..clear
6
3° F
..28.97
..stratus
1
Started 7.20. Temp -8° F
Minum night -16° F
[Page 14]
Friday March 14
Called 5.25. Breakfast smoke & struck Left 7.15. Hoadley & Dovers leading Course S. 33W. Medium track for time, but at 11 got to crevassed ice. Hoadley went down one to the neck. Surface full of hidden gapes, & all went in several. Sun out & warm although temp only about 10° F. Dinner at 12. Off again 1.15. Jones & self leading. Found a crevasse soon down to the neck. Steered for large bay in the land. Came to huge crevasses about 3.30 Had honour of going over 1st on 50 Alpine Rope, only fell near further edge. All got across & then pulled sledge. Went on in single file, self 30 ahead. Crossed numerous crevasses. Then Jones & Sagan 10 ahead & climbed slope 200 high & halted for the night.
[Page 16]
Friday cont. 15th March
Big lake of blue ice near & huge Ice falls on Port side Large slope ahead, but land at last Done 30 miles so far. Dist to-day 10 miles 1285 yds
Sketch in back of books.
[Page 17]
Saturday 16th March
Temp.
Bar.
Cloud
..Wind
6 a.m.
..-3° F
.28.98
.ci
..2
9 a.m.
.14° F.
.28.92
.ci
..7
12 a.m.
. -
.28.91
-
6
3 p.m.
-
.28.91
. -
..6
6 p.m.
-
.28.92
. -
..6
Blizzard differs from those of the hut in being clear sky & sun shining brightly.
[Page 18]
Saturday 16th March
Up as usual. Wind rising & moderate temp. Left tents & went roped in 3 up ice falls. Had a hard time. Blizzard came up & we came back at a run in dangerous places. Crossed dozens of crevasses. Back at 10 & in tent bags ever since. Blizzard still on. Wild & self had been singing duets for an hour. Absent Juanita etc.
Read Omar Khayyam.
[Page 19]
Sunday March 17
6 am
..2° F
.28.84
... -
..6
9 am
..10° F
..28.82
.clear
.6
12
14° F
28.82
.clear
.5
3
..14° F
28.82
."
.4
6
..4° F
..28.22
.ci-st.
3
Wind S33° W in early part changed about 11 am to S25W
Increasing again at 7 pm
Climbed about 600 ft, total up 800 [mounts?]
Relayed for 1 ½ miles = 3 + 2.770 = 5.770 yds today
[Page 20]
Sunday March 17
Blizzard blew out slowly. In camp till 1. Then dug out sledges & set off. Wild & Harrison leading. Had to relay up the slope, being too steep. Did 2 miles 770 yds altogether & camped on flat ridge. Wind increasing altho very lazy all afternoon. Many crevasses about
Mostly none to cross & lost some ice-nailes. See flat glacier in all directions.
Read John 3 & Romans 4. Got into bag at 7. Civilisation would be 11 p.m. & all in bed.
[Page 21]
Monday March 18
6 am
2° F .
.28.24
..ci
.6
9 am
10° F
.28.24
.ci
.0-1
12 am
.12° F
27.94
..st&ci
.3
3 pm
9° F
..27.86
.cl&st
..3
6 pm
4° F
27.66
..st.
2
Wind S 25° W
Sastrugi. S. as near as dammit
Cadburys Ad [compass points diagram]
1st Spasm
..28.27-27.96
310
2nd Spas
..27.96-27.74
220
3rd Spasm
..27.74-27.66
80
610 ft up
4th Spasm
..27.66-27.66
Total 1410 ft up
Total March = 2.1700 + 4.1500 relay
[Page 22]
Tuesday March 19th
Breakfast early & struck camp at 6. Made a large mount for guidance. Wild & Dovers leading on up hill track. Hoadley had to return 3 miles for note book. Did 6 miles [etc] Denning Harrison & self leading afternoon Roughest country yet & heavily crevassed. Country opening up with slopes & valleys. Still up hill & along a large crevasse. Did 10 miles 110 yds altogether. Had an hr extra at lunch to mend tent. Huge feed tonight to finish the weeks bag. Wild changes to other tent tomorrow & I cook here. Camped in very windy gully. Came up 170 ft all day. Bar now 27.27. In for cold night. Highest seen temp to-day 14° F. Now 6° F.
[Page 23]
Wednesday March 20
.S
6
-6° F
.27.36
..clear slight cu over sec
2
9
-5° F.
.27.34
..cu
2
12
.-4° F.
27.16
..cu N.
.2
3
-5° F.
27.6
..heavy cu..
..2
6
-12° F
26.96
..cu
.
..2
10
1580 ft.
420
2000
Very heavy sastrugi all day
1st Spasm
27.36-27.18
=180
2nd Spasm
10.5
27.18-27.16
..20
3rd Spasm
..27.16-27.14
..20
.
1st Spasm
..27.16-27.6.
100
..420
[Page 24]
Wednesday March 20
Left early. Made mounds as usual. Uphill all day & round valleys. Did 8 miles 430 all day. Had to relay about 1 ½ miles. Lost book & had couple of miles walk. Country opening up well. Nearly 67° S now. Very crevassed. Jones found a good one. Dovers & self leading in afternoon. Sastrugi very heavy & rough. Temp all day highest at -3° F. at tea time -12° F. Cook for coming week
[Page 25]
Thursday March 21
6 am
-9° F.
.27.06
..ci-st
3
9
..
.0° F
27.06
ci & st heavy
4
12
.7° F
26.94
hi-ci
3
3
..
19° F
..26.86
..cu ci-st
.1
6
..
-2° F
26.80
..cu ci-st & ci
..3
Mim previous even -13° F
Ft todate 2000ft
220
.2220
Course
S 150 W 3(miles)
S 141 W. 4m630
S 130 W 7.1320
Sastrugi now S. 34 W. still very heavy in morning but smoother
1-2 10
.2-3 90
27.06-26.96
...26.96-26.95
.26.95-26.86
26.86-26.79 = 170
26.85-26.[indecipherable] 50
..220
[Page 26]
Thursday March 21
Up early. Cook & cold time. Slight blizzard on so waited for some time, but left at 9. Very cold. Min. temp last night -13° F. Very hilly & rough course again. Got up 220ft & did 7 Ύ miles. Plasmon biscuits still the limit. Very cold in bed now. Trying fur gloves on feet tonight. Read Romans 6&7 last night & Omar K. this morning. Temp got very high to-day. Going W now & done 61 miles. 8 frost bitten fingers. Through lifting metal vessels at 40 below freezing point.
[Page 27]
Friday March 22
6
-3° F.
.26.83
..Blizz. Falling snow
3 E
9
..
.+12 1/2° F
.26.82
"
"
.4 E
10 in snow
12
.17° F
.26.91
"
."
.
2 E
3
..
16.5° F
..26.92
"
."
.1 E
6
..
7° F
.26.95
"
."
.1 E
Minimum last -7° F
Max to-day 17° F
Snow nearly 2 ft thick
[Page 28]
Friday March 22nd
Up at 6 for breakf. Wind fairly strong & thick falling snow. Made the hoosh & tea & then back to bed. Read Hints & meditated. Dinner at 12. Read St Luke 1-6 chaps, & Hints again. Talked & snoozed. Went out to fill Cooker with snow. Wind dropped, but 1-2 ft of snow everywhere & still falling. Tea at 5. Hoadley snow blind. Very dark at ten past 6. Sleeping bag wet all through but warm. Max temp 17° F. Harrison sketched tent inside.
[Page 29]
Saturday March 23
.SE
6
..
4° F.
26.84
..strong blizzard
6
9
..
.5.5° F
.26.75
"
."
8
12
.5° F
.26.66
"
"
.9-10
3
..
.5° F
.26.44
."
"
.10
6.
..7° F
.26.37
."
"
.10
Min. last. -9° F
[Page 30]
Sat. March 23
Very heavy blizzard all day. Hot able to move out. Went out for Paraffin & biscuits & must have been mad. Hardly got in from sledge 3 yds away. Tent in distress & closing in rapidly. Bar. down to 26.37. Wind & snow howling.
[Page 31]
Sunday March 24
6 am
8° F.
.26.17
.O B
.10
9 am
18° F
.26.30
O B.
.7 N
12 am
.29° F
.26.65
O B
..5 N
3 pm
14° F
.26.71
Snow
..3
6 pm
6° F
26.83
Snow
..2
The very heavy blizzard lasting 36 hrs blew out about 12 a.m., & shorltey after more snow fell. Still falling gently at 6 p.m.
[Page 32]
Sketch at back
Sunday March 24th
An awful experience. Just escaped with our lives. Tent blown to 1/6 its size, & ½ full of snow. Jones under the flap. Harrison under flap & snow & ditto self. Not able to move at all for 16 hours. Everything wet thru including sleeping bags. Got nothing to eat till 12.30 to-day. Tent still in a mess but better. Jones managed to crawl out & shovel away some snow coming back exhausted. Bar. went down to 26.17, but temp very high & melted the snow. Thought we might not get out, during the night.
Had tea at 5. Read Luke 7-14& sang a little. Communication with other tent after long lapse.
[Page 33]
Monday March 25
6
2° F.
.27.05
.
.SE
9
..
9° F
..26.92
clear.
SE
12
..
.9° F
..26.91
clear
.SE
3
..
7° F
..26.83
...clear
.SE
6
..
2° F
26.90
..cloudy
..
SE
Heavy blizzard again followed snowstorm. Severe winds & drift. Very cold towards evening
[Page 34]
Monday March 25
Another miserable night & day. Heaviest blow yet, & managed to get thro some how. All over snow & shivering in wet bags. Wish my week of cooking was up. Very chilly getting snow from outside.
[Page 35]
Tuesday March 26
6
3° F.
.26.50
.B
.Drift 4 SE
9
..
4° F
..26.37
..Drift 3
12
..
.4° F
..26.44
..Drift 4
3
..
7° F
..26.33
...
..Drift 5
6
..
2° F
26.38
..Drift 6
Blizz. seemed to ease in morning but increased towards evening. Sky clear & sun out, early but obscured later.
Minimum last night -2° F
[Page 36]
Tuesday March 26
Another miserable day. Jones & I gave impromptu concert in afternoon. Bags wringing & hoar frost thick. Got meals in haste & cold. Blizzard still strong. 6 days of it, & 13 days out.
[Page 37]
Wednesday March 27
6
13° F.
..26.58
.Snow
.2 NE
9
..
21.5° F
..26.50
."
2 NE
12
..
.23.5° F
..26.51.
"
2 NE
3
..
.-
..-
.2
6
..
25° F
..26.61
.1
Minimum last 2° F
[Page 38]
Wednesday March 27th
Snowing heavily all day. Visited Wilds tent for dinner, taking our own chocolate. Drift between tents over 5 ft high. Had a good afternoon talk. Tent got very fuggy with smoke. Harrison got sick & had to return. Finished my weeks cooking at midday with joy. Tent very smutty. Had semblance of row in evening. Sang till 8 then asleep. Not too comfy.
[Page 39]
Thursday March 28
6
6° F.
.26.71
.Drift&fall
4 SE
9
..
10° F
..26.80
.."
..3
12
..
.7° F
..26.81
cumulus...3
3
..
5° F
..26.81
...
.."
.3
6
..
3° F
26.81
.."
.4
Slight drift blowing in morning but decreased practically 0 in afternoon. Cumulus covered sky & sun at intervals. Wind up again about 5.30
[Page 40]
Thursday March 28
Light drift all morning. Read Hints & Marco Polo. Out at 2 & dug out sledges from 5-6 ft of drift. Found all. Very cold. Walked Ό mile in 4 drift. Got a [indecipherable] frost bitten index finger right. Wind arising again at 6. Quite an art in getting into frozen burberries & cold socks & finsko. All knocked out with slight work. Country looks absol. different.
Scraped ½" [rime?] off tent to get comf. At 6 hung with icicles.
[Page 41]
Friday March 29
6
-18° F.
.26.81
.Ci
4 SE
9
..
.-15° F
..26.80
Ci&Cu
4 SE
12
..
..-2° F
26.81
..".........4
3
..
-0° F
..26.79
...
."
.4 "
6
..
-4° F
26.79
."
.4 "
Minimum last night -20° F
S.E. cold all day. Medium drift & very cold. 1-4 of snow drift.
[Page 42]
Friday March 29
Called early in vain. Medium wind & drift blowing. Min. -20° F. Had breakf & out to lay depot on ridge Ύ mile off. Sledging simply ghastly, 3-4 ft drift snow. Left 6 weeks provision for 3 men & located flag on mound. Had to come back with frost bitten foot. Awful walking. Lay in all afternoon, leaving for Hut as soon as possible. Sledged in -15° F. Read Marco Polo. -0° F = highest all day. Sleeping bags last night a misery. Frozen stiff & damp inside. Ditto tonight & going to be cold. Dovers frost bitten nose.
[Page 43]
Saturday March 30
6
5° F.
.26.80
Fog
..3 SE
9
..
.5° F
..26.80
St. Foggy
.." "
12
..
..3° F
..26.75
Foggy.........3 SE
3
..
.3° F
..26.78
...
Ci & Ci Cu
3 SE
6
..
.0° F
..
.Ci & Ci Cu
2 SE
Minim last about -7°
Slight drift all day. Foggy in morning but cleared to E & finer at 5 p.m.
1 mile [indecipherable] + 1050 yds
[Page 44]
Saturday March 30
Left in slight drift took some time to day [indecipherable] tents & sledges. Did 10 [indecipherable] yds + 150 in 3 hrs & all day did 1 mile 450 yds. Left flag & mound ½ way. Cleared up. Awful travelling in average of 2 ft soft snow. Still on way home. Bags tonight stiff as iron.
[Page 45]
Sunday March 31
Very cold all night. -8° F at 6 am
6
-8° F.
.26.75
clear
.4 SE
9
..
.-2° F
..26.71
clear
.4 SE
12
..
..0° F
26.69
cloudy.........4 SE
3
..
.0° F
26.68
...
."
2-4 SE
6
..
.2° F
26.65..
.."
4
Windy all day & slight drift.
Very cold. Max 0° F
[Page 46]
Sunday March 31
Too cold & drifty for sledging. Early breakfast & back & bags. Very cold night. -8F at 7. Bags wet & thawed at night. Very uncomfortable & damp. Cold feet with 4 pairs socks. Clear & sun out but no good. False alarm of starting at 12. Had to bunk again. Too much wind & drift. Went out at 1 & got supplies & re-fixed tent. Read Luke 18-24 & Romans 10-12. Highest temp to-day 0° F. Surface hardened a lot & should do well if can travel tomorrow.
Wind rising & howling round tent in evening.
[Page 47]
Monday April 1
6
7° F.
.26.56
cloudy
.5 SE
9
..
.10° F
..26.56
."
..
.5 E
12
..
..11° F
26.58
..."
........3-4 E
3
..
.13° F
26.65
...
."
..2-4 E
6
..
.11° F
26.75..
.."
..2-4 SE
Wind changed SE to E & back to SE about 4.45 pm
[Page 48]
Monday April 1
Too blizzard to leave tents. Warmer night, probably due to drift mounds around tent. Discussed Rise & Fall of Nations in morning. Barom rose slowly during day. Bags rather uncomfortable from thawing. Wind changed during evening back to SE.
[Page 49]
Tuesday April 2
6
2° F.
.26.82
cloudy
.3 SE
9
..
.5° F
..26.94
M & St
.3 SE
Thermom 155226 broken using 155247
12
..
..8° F
27.24
cu & ci cu & st
.3 SE
3
..
.8° F
27.49
...
cu & ci.
1 SE
6
..
.6° F
27.55..
.."
.2 "
Blizz blew out considerably. Sun halo all day & mock suns. Heavy travelling snow very soft still.
[Page 50]
Tuesday April 2
Got up early & left in blizzard & drift. Very hard travelling, good punishment for criminals. Going hard & all knocked up, only did 5 miles 100 yds all day. Avergae 1 ft snow. New sastrugi forming. View opening up showing Barrier, Tilted Berg & Falls. Back seems off at the middle & glad to get into even a stiff bag.
[Page 51]
Wednesday April 3
6
-5° F.
.27.51
cu
.1-2 S
9
..
.-2° F
..27.82
cu st
1-2 S
12
..
..6° F
28.15
cu............4 S
3
..
.6° F
28.77
...
cu
.1
6
..
.5° F
29...
cu
1
Very cloudy & bad light.
Wind dropped after noon.
Little Sastrugi going S 162 E
[down?] 1400 ft
Sledged 12 mil 800
[Page 52]
Wednesday April 3
Very good day. Started early in cold but medium weather. Drift lessened. Track improved & did 5.600 till noon. Perfect track but awfully light after noon, but going strong finished with 12 mil 800 yds & got to the glacier. Dead tired. JHC Macs "Over the odds" in common use here. Wild had a glorious blister.
[Page 53]
Thursday April 4
6
-3° F.
.29.09
.2-3 E
9
..
.-5° F
..29.09
.4-5 E
12
..
..1° F
29.14
............3-4 E
3 112° F [table incomplete]
6
[Page 55]
[map drawing with no writing]
[Page 56]
[continuation map drawing with no writing]
[Page 57]
[entry in ink]
Aurora 3 35 a.m April 25
Band E to W over Zenith, in distant towards E & at W forming to a curtain & going back to main line. The end of thise line was curving back to E & then down, the leemenesea moving-E to W all the time. Finally this inner branch disappeared altogether, & line on W horizon to 45° formed into beautiful curtain while zenith line became brighter then bright shapeless patch appeared again in position of former wave & in E several bright vert. streamers were now noticed.
[Page 58]
[blank page]
[Page 59]
August 22nd
6 am
+3° F.
.28.92
cloud
.wind
9
.............+3° F
..28.93
L.S. Wind ESE 0-1 Ci 4 moving E to W
12
..
.-5° F
28.92
Ci-St.............1
3
.
.-6° F
28.88
...
Cu1
wind ESE 0-1
6
..
-8° F
28...
..Clear
1
Sastrugi 171 E of S Mag
Depot trip to leave supplies for E. Party, leaving hut on August 22nd
[Page 60]
Thursday Aug 22nd
Up at 5.30 & left at 7 am. Mild day & did 11 miles 600 yds. All a little fat & dogs not used to the travelling. Had one man with them & 5 pulling at about [300] lbs per man. Got very cold at night.
[Page 61]
Aug 23rd Friday
.cloud
..wind
6
-34
.
.28.90
0
SE 0-1
9
..-28.2
28.85
0
."
12
-23.
..
28.80
Cu 1.........."
3
..-24.6
28.89
...
Cu 1
.."
Sastrugi 170 E of S Mag
[Page 62]
Aug 23rd Friday
Had the longest night on record. Wild Jones & I in 3 man bag all had cold feet & yarned from about 3 am. Dovers in other tent gave blood curdling yell in his sleep. "By the Lord Harry Ill shoot the ------". Temp. when we got up was -34° F & had a very cold time starting & not much appetite for breakfast. Had a long slope on Glacier & 5 crevasses one open & seemingly bottomless. Had a go with the dogs who are in great fettle.
[Page 63]
Aug 24th Saturday
9
..-35
28.78
..Ci St
SE 0-1
N.[ark] came up N&S & over Z to E
12
-30.5.
..28.855
4.........................................................
3
..-31
28.99
...
N4 Ci 4
..E 0-1
6
-29
..29.05
N8
E 0-1
Total 10. 1030 yds
[Page 64]
Aug 24th Sat.
Very cold today again below -30 all time & sun obscured at 3 p.m. Did good travelling & dogs went well. Saw rooks on cliff edge at 2.30. Got 8 fingers bitten in tying up dogs. No sledging appetites yet. Very dark & candle gives dim religious light. Had a rotten night again last night.
[Page 65]
Aug 25th Sunday
6
..
-7.
..29.48
N.10
..wind 0-1
9
.............-2
29.52
Ci 4.N4 going E 9
..0-1
12
..
.+11
29.58
N6.Ci 2...................2-3 E
3
.
.+12
29.57
...
N8
.2-3 E
6
..
+12
28.55...
Blue E to S N.10
54 E
[Parkehon] vis. 9-12 am.
12 miles 1585
Total 44 miles
[Page 66]
Sunday Aug 28th
Temp went up suddenly & about +12° F & been mild all day, altho a wippy wind made hard travelling. Still good surface & did 12 mls 1585 yds. Got off early 7.45. I had first go with the dogs who were very fresh. They are very amusing to harness. All lay down & turn over as the harness goes on. Very diff. in pulling too. Zip steady. Amundsen ditto & Burtz eager. Wind got up very fresh & all signs of a blow, so we got snug at 4 oclock & now in bunk at 5.45. Passed 27 cracks to-day. Looks like start of pressure around island ahead.
[Page 67]
Monday Aug 26th
...SSE
6
..
+11.
..29.57
4-5.SD
N10
9
.............+11.9
29.57
4-5.MD
N.10
12
..
.+15
.29.54
..5-6 MD...................N10
3.30
.
+13.5
29.485...
..5-6 MD
10
[Page 68]
Monday Aug 26th
Got out to start, but wind came on heavy & we stayed in all day with heavy wind & snow fall. Tent set well and we were comfy & warm. Had a game of Bridge I winning 2 cigs. Read Froudes Reign of Mary (very dry). Slept long & very heavy wind, but dropped suddenly at 3 am & we got up at 6 for good day
[Page 69]
Tuesday Aug 27th
...0
...0
...0
..N[indecipherable]
6
..
+10.
..29.35
SW 0-1
Cu-St 3
..NE to SW
west then north
9
.............+2.5
29.36
.."
.E to W.
..N[indecipherable] SSE to NNW
12
..
.+3.5
.29.32
..SSE. 1-2.................Ci 4
[compass] Georges Longitude Readings
.Heavy fog Sth
3.30
.
+5.1
..29.41...
0
Ci 3
5 miles 350
[Page 70]
Tuesday Aug 27th
Looked good, but rotten Cirrus about. Very heavy travelling as Snow fall had left large drifts. Did over 5 miles & wind suddenly sprang up. Lay about for a while, but drift looked heavy & finally we got into bags & snug down. Dogs had heavy work, but dont look very tired. Learned Whisky Poker & read. Tea at 4 then to sleep
[Page 71]
Wednesday Aug 28
8-9
8-9
6
..
+5.
..29.24
..SSE 6-7
Ci 4 ?
9
.............+4.5
29.27
." 6-7
.
..Ci 4 ?
12
..
.+6.5
29.22
5-6...................
3
.
+9.5
29.485...
..6-7
[Page 72]
Wed. Aug 28
In bags all day. Blew very heavy all night & day, & still going. Harrison out from other tent but none of us out. Bags getting very wet, & backs very sore.
[Page 73]
Thursday Aug 29
..ESE 6-7
6
..
..29.32
..
.56
9
......
29.32
+7.5
.
.56
12
..
29.34
.7.8..............56
3
.
29.38
.....
.3-4
[Page 74]
Thursday Aug 29
Bags all day & blowing hard. Bag getting very damp from rime. Read Longfellow Mary Tudor & talked. Snugged up at 5.30.
[Page 75]
Friday Aug 30
6
..
..29.37
5.5..
SE 3-4
..Ci1 W
9
......
29.36
.5.5
.
.." 1-2
."
12
..
29.34
.9.5.............3-4
."
[Page 76]
Blizz. Blast
[Page 77]
Saturday Aug 31
Glorious day. Low temp, but only little wind so able to lose burberry coats for time. First time we felt suns warmth for 6 months, altho sun temp still +1. Passed our 2nd Isl. & see 3rd in dist. Sighted plenty of rock ahead & side. Also saw small tributary glacier. Passed very crevassed ice where ice-cap has ridden fast. 2nd Island, but crevasses filled in largely. 2 Rock Pinnacles at some dist. from land, & should make one tomorrow. Did 11 miles 1730 yds. Had a good run with dogs. Temp. down to -15. Legs very chafed & Hazelene snow in great demand.
[Page 78]
Saturday Aug 31
6
..
.
.29.32
ESE 0-1
Ci 6
9
.............-12
29.32
"
..Ci 6
12
..
.-11.5
29.26
1-2........................0
3
.
.-10.1
29.28
...
0-1
.Ci-St 1
Whillies all around
Prsismatic colours
6
..
..Ci-St 2 in NE
[Page 79]
Sept 1
6
..
.29.34
-21
.SE 1-2
0
9
..............29.38
-11
.1-2 MD
"
0
12
..
..29.565
.-7
ESE 2-3........................Ci, N
3
.
..29.38
-5
...ESE 2-3
.Ci, N
Dist. Day 13 miles 330 yds
[Page 80]
Sunday Sept 1
A very cold night, & glad to start as soon as light enough to get [greek]. To add to ills, a stiff head wind was blowing & all got frost bites on parts of face, more on nose. Tried to make the Nunalak but not able to, although did longest trip yet. Found dogs legs chafing a little. Great difficulty in getting camping places, & finally settled Ό mile apart. In for cold night.
[Page 81]
Sept 2. Monday
6
..
.29.32
-34
.0-1
9
..............29.28
-26
.0-1
Ci I. F.
3
.
..29.34
-20.5
0-1
Cu I N
2 miles 700 yds
[Page 82]
Monday. Sept 2nd
Another very bad night, especially Mr Wild, & got up as soon as possible. All on for full whack of hoosh now for heat. Got on quickly to Nunatak & camped for day. Very cold (-34 on starting). All except self went to top of rock 300 ft. (view in back). I cruised among crevasses. Wonderful sight all around. Got tea for all in other tent. After lunch all on rock again. Went back for sledge meter lid & got it at a mile back. Got some rock specimens. They found lichens moss & dead snowy petrel petrel on trip. Going on tomorrow. Shook about 1 ton of rime out of our bag & cold brought hut ice flowers
[Page 83]
Sept 3. Tuesday
-43 in night
6
..
.-29.2
29.87
.Cu 3 E
.SE 1
9
..............-2.5
..29.91
.Cu 3 E
.3
3
.
..+2.5
29.96
Ci-St.N.Ci(8) E by N.W S
.4-5
[Page 84]
Sept 3. Tuesday
An awful night. All cuddled & shivered all thro at -43° F. Up early to get away but temp rose fast & wind, so had diff. in getting to a camp again. I had dogs, & hard work over crevasses & neve. Lay in all day playing poker & read some Longfellow Wind still heavy, but likely to get warmer sleep tonight. Made out breakfast menu.
[Page 85]
Sept 4th. Wednesday
6
..
29.95
.+12
..Cu4.Fog 7
..ESE 2-3
9
.......
29.94
.+14.5
.Ci-Cu 8
."
12
..
29.92
.+15.2
.Ci-Cu 8........0-1
3
.
29.96
.+15.
Ci-Cu 2. Ci 2
.gusty 0-1
6
..
..29.91
..gusty 3-4
Very gusty. Avalanche of snow enveloped us. Did not feel too happy for sleeping, but could not move camp.
[Page 86]
Sept 4th. Wednesday
Up early. Wild & self went out f lee to see weather & as very ugly he decided to leave depot there & leave. Took 1½ hrs to make depot & get flag up. Then left SW for outcrop on land. Sail too strenuous so took it down Watson & self with dogs had a strenuous time over 2½ miles smooth neve. Looked wonderfully pretty with dark blue cracks & crevasses & steep ice-clad hills behind. Got to outcrop. Watson & I went up for specimens but found rock too hard after a hard climb. Had diff in getting our sledges to a camping ground & both blown over & needed all hands on each. Just inside when a huge avalanche scared a years growth out of us. Our door jammed but with difficulty we squeezed under. [arrow up] Did not reach us but clouds
[Page 87]
Sept 5th. Thursday
.very gusty
6
..
29.54
..+16.4
..Fog 6.
..ESE 0-12
12
..
29.48
..+18.5
..Fog 6.........0-12
3
.
29.455
.20.5.
..10.
..1-12
Parhelion
[Page 88]
Sept 5th. Thursday
Had a strenuous windy night but tent stayed up. Wild & I started looking for departed cooker parts. Got 2 & as we got back tent tore up. Put lashing on other tent. Then with ice-axes went to look for quiet spot. Not able to stand up & all blown 20-50 yds at a time. Had to hold on in gusts. Other tent had to be let down. Could not find a spot, so with diff. dug a trench 12 x 3 ft x 7 & got our gear in, put sledges across & tent. Took our tent in to mend & fairly comfortable. Heavy wind above still & a few more avalanches.
In bed 5.30. Just had a very heavy avalanche. Most awful feeling goes thro one, such as Ive never felt. Got tea & now settling as best we can. Took all afternoon to mend our tent.
[Page 89]
Sept 6th Thursday Friday
..in cave
6
..
29.305
..+15
...
.ESE 0-12
9
..
29.31
+20
.....0-12
12
..
29.34
..+23.5
..N.6.....0-12
3
.
29.34.
.+20.5.
..N18
.0-12
[Page 90]
Sept 6th Friday
Another day in bags. Wind still as gusty as ever but not quite so frequent. Had another awful avalanche, creating apprehension in every face. We will all be glad when we leave this weird place. Fairly comfortable in here. Read Geology all morning & talked & dozed since lunch. Went out once, & hard to stand up for 5 seconds. About 7 falls of ice altogether & many scares. Dogs not too happy & yelp a lot. Temp up high still, also Barom. Harrisson & I cook alternate meals.
[Page 91]
Saturday Sept 7th
Another day of cave-dwelling & avalanches. Made worse now by a snowstorm. Wind is still very heavy & gusty. Wild & Jones took a long trip with ice-axes & found it impossible to get out of here yet, so another dread night. Timorous mortals should stay home on these expeditions. Had a game of Whisky Poker & keen discussion of International Politics. Also a little Geology. Breakfast & Tea fell to my lot to-day. Just tinkered up the roof to prevent incoming snow. Sweethearts & Wives in dry tack tonight.
[Page 92]
Saturday Sept 7th
..att Them
6
..
29.50
...+16
..N 10
..ESE 0-10
9
.......
29.45..
.+22
..8
..0-10
12
..
29.45
...+24
..6.............0-10
3
.
29.455
.+27.
.10
.0-12
6
..
..29.49
+27.5
.10
..0-12
Parkehon visible at 2pm with Mock sums. Wind still extraordinarily gusty, & snow starting falling at 3.30 pm
[Page 93]
Sunday Sept 8th
9
.......
29.45..
.+28
..N10
WbyS 0-8
12
..
29.60
...+28
..10...........WbyS 0-8
..LS
3
.
29.64.
.+31.
.clear
WbyS 0-4
[Page 94]
Sunday Sept 8th
Another day in our underground residence. The snow fell heavily all night & had a layer over ½ our bdg 6 inches deep. Went out early. Hardly able to stand in gusts & still heavy snow. Fed dogs & got glaxo biscuits & returned uncomfortable. Wet thro now even inner garments, & also sleeping bag. Snow seems to have stopped, now, but unable to look out as 2 of snow over door. Temp up to freezing point so everything damp, & did not dare to light Primus for dinner tea [three dots two on top, one below meaning "because of" ?] raising temp. Read Geology in morning. Now on to Longfellow & M.T.Fs book before I get tea. Fourth day but weather appears to moderate so hope to leave tomorrow.
[Page 95]
Monday Sept 9th
.
.......
...
att th
..sun
W & G
9
..
29.66
...32
1.5...........SW
.0-10
Whirly & Gusty
3
.
29.64.
.28.5.
..
SW
..0-8
[Page 96]
Monday Sept 9th
Still underground, but going to move tomorrow good or bad. Bags & clothes all sopping & very uncomfy lying in wet patches. Some went out this morning & found whirlwinds as strong as ever. Big avalanches fewer. Temp outside lower but steady thaw inside still. Played German Whist & Euchre. Get only sparse meals to save heat from extra thawing. Cold & wet feet.
[Page 97]
Tuesday Sept 10th
.N ark thro N
WSW to ENE
9
.....-8..
29.54..
.
..Ci-St 3
E 4
12
-12.
29.51
...
..3.............1-2
3
.-18
29.47.
..
.2
..0-1
Cu1E rising
[Page 98]
Tuesday Sept 10
Got out at 5.30 & got breaky then uncomft time packing up but got away by 8. Rotten going over 2 ½ miles of ice with wind at side, but then had grand day doing 20 miles 100 yds. Had 2 heavy avalanches in night. Got bruised heel on ice & still sore. Looks stormy now, but temp falling.
[Page 99]
Wednesday Sept 11
9
....-18..
ESE. 7..
.
..Ci-St 6
12
.
7
...
."
3
.-3
..7..
Cu-St 6
6
29.01
7
clear
[Page 100]
Wednesday Sept 11.
Wind came up very heavy in night & cont. all day Tent flapping & making terrible noise. Out twice for grub & feed dogs. Not much drift, but unable stand against wind.
Had worst night on record. Soaked bag from case froze so stiff we could hardly get in, & then found feet of ice which we thawed all night & shivered not getting a wink. Dried it somewhat by torches but still very bad & another bad night in prospect
[Page 101]
Thursday Sept 12th
DS
6
28.93
-3
SE. 3-4 Snow
LD. WS to E-then N
3
28.89
-3
SE. 4-6 CU 6
[Page 102]
Thursday Sept 12th
So rotten staying in bags. We left in snowstorm not able see 10 yds. Had many heavy falls, but got thro 11 miles by 1 pm. Had worst 2 hrs yet, in taking dogs dozens of falls & slides on glassy surface & trouble keeping sledges apart. Got ice scoop 6 inches long on front of helmet. Took 6 men to spread the tents but got them up fairly good pitch. Clearing grad. & able to see little of land to snow. Very cold in here & icy bag still. Pleasant to know only 46 miles off & do it if we get 2 good days. Too cold to write.
[Page 103]
Friday Sept 13
9
-8
29.01
Dull 3-4 SE
3
-7.5
29.18
Cu8. SE 1-3
Notes in Large diary
Did 21 miles Friday
Compass, crevasses, cold 32 Sat. 7 Sun morning
Total for trip back 100
Whole trip 183 miles
[Page 105]
T
9
-8.5
Ci-Cu
12
29.42
ESE 0-1
Ci-St 8. N.A. N to S
3
.29.41
." 0-1
.Ci 6 N.A. breaking & going 10
6
.29.41
.0-1
.Cu 6. Ci 1 St 2
Distance 7 miles 1000 yds
[Page 106]
Sept 26 Thursday
Awful pulling. Shows Hard without the option C Cleared at 7 so we got up packed our blankets away, packed sledges & got away at 10. Let sledges over slope of Glacier on a rope. Camped at Icy Point for lunch & then struck rotten heart-breaking soft snow & all sore, tired & stiff. Glorious clouds all day & superb sunset. Temp & bar high. Looks like another blow already. Heel sinew strained on last trip very bad again.
[Page 107]
Sept 27 Friday
6
..+18.2
.29.42
.ESE 2 FS
.Dull
9
.29.46
" 2 FS
"
12
.+21.1
"
.SE 3 FS
.."
3
..29.50
" 2 FS
"
[Page 108]
Sept 27 Friday
Snow falling & too dull to go out. Tossed up for it & had to cook. Looking out at weather at 10 saw dogs with blood & loose, & going out found 5 penguins all mauled. Two with backs torn I killed, others probably recover. Had long talk after lunch. Strange camping 4ft over 1000 ft of sea, only 2 of us with 3 100 yds away. Wind rising & may blow soft snow away
[Page 109]
Sept 28 Friday Saturday
9
.29.45
.ESE 2-3
.Dull
12
29.46
.2-3
.Dull
3.
.29.49
..1-2
Ci 4 Cu 4
6
..29.47
1-2
Cu 6. St 2
Dist 3 miles 200 yds
Totals 10 miles 1200
[Page 110]
Sept 28 Sat.
Had a tete-a-tete breakfast with Hagrisson after not too good a sleep. Talked most of morning & read Fouriers Reptiles. Jones came over at 2.30 so I went out & consulted over weather, he deciding to go on as it was clearing. Did 3 miles going 2 hrs Heavy travelling but wind helped a little with the sail up. Some huge but very ancient bergs due S of us now. Anchored in old floe near where Glacier meets the land & falling to pieces deeply crevassed Wind dropped, & very quiet now.
[Page 111]
Sunday Sept 29.
6
.+9.5
.29.58
.ESE 2-3 CU 4
.SD
9
+11.5
.29.54
..2-3 Ci3 St 3
.SD NA WtoE
12
2-3 Ci 5. St 2
..SD
3
+12.5
...29.56
.2-3 Ci 4. St 2
..MD
6
.+13
29.52
.2-4 Ci 4 St 2
Distance 9 miles 1100 yds
Total 20 miles 540 yds
[Page 112]
Sunday Sept 29
Started early after a night made miserable by Amundsens howling. Going got heavy & wind strong. Had sail up, but got taken aback twice & finally sledge turned, so had to take it down. Had an exceptionally heavy pull & were glad to stop at 4.30. Saw an Antarctic petrel & a seal, & dogs scented others. Sent at 1.30 to examine some curious looking broken bergs, & found them overturned & covered with dirt & granite & gneissic rocks Made a cache of good specimens. Surface of ice blocks were transparent for 6-12 inches from the melted water running down. Camping on floe again & very near the water here, as found a crack a little back. Hoadley went this one & down to the sea. Nasty night.
[Page 113]
Sept 30. Monday
.MD
9
..
ESE 2-3
Dull
.SD
12
+11.5
29.45..
1-2 N6 St 2
3
+13.5
...29.41
.1-2 Cu 6 St 2
..MD
6
.+12
+29.39
.2-3 ACu 4 Ci 2 Ci-Cu 4 St 2
Dist 4 miles 460
Total 24 miles 1000 yd
Sept 30 Monday
More Antarctic wonders. Wind dropped during am & we got a start after lunch for Pyramid Berg. Crossed many Tide-cracks & 3 of us went knee deep in one
[Page 114]
in the briny ocean. Round berg got neve & later came to heavy pressure. Find we cannot get thro & have to go N for a couple of miles. Huge blocks of ice tumbled & then consolidated together again, & seemingly 2 lines of Pressure. In between cracks at sea surface (went thro one, water cold) & good place for seals Scaled a slanting berg of pure ice & could see pressure a long way. Filled in crevasses to left, right E & W & probably on one, & a blizzard due. Pyramid berg shows out well altho only about 100 high. Cold feet again last night
[Page 115]
Tuesday. Oct 1.
6
..+9.5
.29.28
.ESE 3-4
.Clear
9
+10.5
.29.26
"
"
12
..29.24
2-3
"
3
+11.
29.21
3-4
."
[Page 116]
Tuesday Oct 1st
Blowing hard all day, with drift. Not a cloud in sky. Unable to move as have to cross ice, & afraid of damage by becoming unmanageable in wind. Jones came in at noon & after consultation decided not to move & just as well as blowing very heavy now. Harrisson took a walk SW & says miles of similar duty ice. Brought back piece of Plutonic Rock. I must be a cold-blooded person as cold feet all night & day with 4 pairs warm socks & temp up to +11
[Page 117]
Wednesday Oct 2
6
.29.30
Clear
.ESE 2-3
9
29.38
+16.5
.."
..2-3
N.A. N to S.
12
29.37
+16.5
Ci-St 1...1-2
rise of 50 ft
rising W to E
3
29.48
...+12
Ci-St 4
.0-1
6
.29
0
.Ci-St 8
.0-1
Dist 6 miles 100
Total 30 miles 1100
[Page 118]
Wed. Oct 2
Managed to get away after lunch & had dogs, & difficult passage over Tide crack & Neve but we got out to old surface again in 2 miles Wonderful old bergs & Pressure about, looking like end of a glacier. Have to go NNW to get thro, so having a strange course Left one of the wendest spots imaginable, what Harrisson calls the Graveyard of a Century. More Cirrus about but look for good day tomorrow.
[Page 119]
Oct 3 Thursday
6
.+10
29.45
ESE 2-3
.Ci 8
9
.+11.5
29.43
."
"
12...+11.5
29.43
1-2
.."
3
.+17.5
.29.41
1-2
.."
6
..+10
29.38
1-2
.."
Glorious halo & mock suns
2 horizontal sent out rays for over 5° . At vertex, commencement of Paracelsus visible.
Dist 11. 110.
Total 41 miles 1210 yds
[Page 120]
Oct 3. Thursday
Got an early start & got to pass line of bergs in ½ hr. Climbed one & could see nothing but bergs & broken & upheaved ice. Determined to go NW still, & by noon came to more bergs. I got lunch (new cook) while others made reconnaissance. Find we are still in the muddle which looks like a glacier end, & have to go NW still. Wonderful pressure & over 20 frozen in bergs always visible. Had a hard pull on bad surface but got in 11 miles for the day. Glorious Halo & Parhelia with clouds foretell Blizz for tomorrow or next day.
Sea-ice & Glacier ice upheaval & jumbled together. They & bergs all worn & ablated. Penguin came up to us at noon but we did not touch him. Also sighted a huge Weddell Seal.
[Page 121]
Friday Oct 4
6
..+7.5
29.40
Sc Ci 7
.ESE 1-2
9
..+10.5
29.36
.Sc Ci 6
"
12...+11.5
29.32
.Sc Ci 4
.."
rose 200 ft.
3
.+9.5
.29.12
Ci 2
..0-1
down 200 ft
thick NtoE
6
..7.5
29.30
..Ci 2
..0-1
Halo visible.
Dist 5 miles 610 yds
½ mile relay
6 m 610
Total 48 miles 60 yds
[Page 122]
Friday Oct 4
Good start. Ran up a berg & had a look & then on. Came to this berg with slope leading SWby1/2S. Walked up & seemed good to try, so after lunch hauled sledges up by relay work. Very stiff job, & some nasty crevasses, 2 being 30-40 ft wide. Got about a mile or 2 when came over ridge to place where Glacier (as we found we were on) had simply fallen in for ½ mile by Ό mile & impassable all directions by sheer cliffs 30-70. Had to pull back & camped now at luncheon Camp Impossible to do more here, so sadly decided at tea to go back right to function corner & go on land, hoping to get 50 mile in there. Bad luck for Western party. No doubt this is a wonderful glacier. Hundreds of bergs off it. All old floe seen by Aurora has gone out, & we are on new stuff.
[Page 123]
Saturday. Oct 5
N.A. NtoS EtoW
6
..0
.
29.36
Ci-St 4
ESE 0-1
NtoS
9
..4.5
.29.39
Ci-St 3
" 0-1
E
12...7.5
29.37
.St 2
.W 0-1
3
.11.5
.29.36
clearer
.W 0-1
6
..-10
29.31
"
."
.."
Dist 11 miles 60 yds
Total 59 mils 20 yds
[Page 124]
Sat. Oct 5.
Early start. Back again Heavy going. Chaotic floe old floe afternoon. Flat but heavy surface. Lovely day. No cloud. Goggles but no burberries needed. Going SSE. Many Tide Cracks. Camped at 5. Killed seal & got meat to depot. Frantic Dogs Cold night.
Hoadley & I gave verse each of Sweethearts & Wives.
[Page 125]
Sunday. Oct 6
6
.-13
29.31
Ci-Cu 2 St-2
ESE 1-2
going W rapidly
9
..-3
.29.26
A-Cu 3 . St 2
" 1-2
12...+3
.
..A-Cu 3 Ci 4
.1-2
3
.+4.5
.29.21
Ci-N 6
.1-2
6
.+4.5
29.19
.Ci-N 10
..2-3
Slight halo
Dist 11 miles 100 yds
Total 70 miles 220 yds
[Page 126]
Sunday Oct 6
Got early start. Very cold getting breakfast at -13. Dogs better after their seal blubber. Heavy going all day, but plugged thro 11 miles with sore backs Back to camp of last Sunday & collected the stores we depoted. Looks like a Blizz tonight, & have all gear & grub in. Shant be sorry if missing a day like to-day. Nippy wind right in the face. Dovers has bad eyes. All wear goggles now. Having a few Hymns now & Bible.
[Page 127]
Monday Oct 7.
6
.....Dull ESE 2-3
9
+4.5
29.15
"
..2-3
3
+7.5
29.12
"
..2-3
6
+8
..29.105
.."
..2-3
Blizz & L.D.
[Page 128]
Monday. Oct 7.
Blowing all night Fairly stiff & cont. to-day, so had to stop in bags. Very cold with the wind, altho a plus temp. Read a little, snoozed a little, talked a little, ate & drank a lot. Dogs made night hideous with their cries. Hope they improve tonight. Only 16 days left now, so only 8 to carry on the depot. Hope to get it 40 miles anyway, & will call it a successful trip First time I think that a party has ever lived for 2 weeks on floe
[Page 129]
Tuesday Oct 8.
6
..29.05
+7
..Ci 4
ESE 2-3
9
..29.10
+10
Ci 4
"
12
29.15
+14
Ci 4
.1-2
3
..29.11
+11
Ci 4. N 2
..1-2
6
..29.09
.Ci 3. N 4
..1-2
[Page 130]
Tuesday Oct 8
Lay in all morning. After lunch Jones & I went to look for ascent to land. Had a long walk but found place we can get up with some pulling. Found seal with young one a few hours old. Very pretty, & mother very maternal & tries to be ferocious. Stroked the nipper & got a few grunts from it & its ma. Dark brown on back yellow with dark spots underneath, & about 3 long. Many seals up. Others went & got more rocks from the overturned bergs. We cached the seal meat on piece of berg recess. Hope to get away tomorrow, but not looking too well.
[Page 131]
Wed Oct 9
6
..+7
29.08
ESE 0-1 Dull
9
..+7
29.06
.0-1 "
came up 550
12
+13
.28.46
.0-1 "
came up 300
3
+9.5 to 28.11
.0-1 "
[Page 132]
Wed Oct 9.
Pulled out early. Dug road way thro drift snow & hauled our gear up 50 of cliff with difficulty. Then on way SW..Land all neve & very crevassed. Did 9. 1500 yds by 5 p.m & glad to close in. Unable to get good camping spot & sorry as looks like blow.. All very glad to get on land again, as 2 weeks on new floe not too safe.
[Page 133]
Thurs. Oct 10
9
..27.55
ESE 2-3 Dull
12
27.56
.2-3
"
3
..27.93
.2-3
"
6
2-3
"
[Page 134]
Thurs Oct 10
Blowing mod & in tents all day. Dovers out to dogs.
[Page 135]
Friday. Oct 11.
9
..28.06
ESE 2-3 Dull
12
28.00
..2-3
"
3
..28.01
..2-3
"
6
.3-4
[Page 136]
Frid. Oct 11.
Still in tents. Not too comfy now, & wind rising tonight
[Page 137]
Sat. Oct 12
9
..27.90
ESE 6-8
FS
Dull
3
..27.74
..6-8
"
."
6
..27.74
..6-8
"
."
[Page 138]
Sat. Oct 12.
Wind came up heavy last night, & blowing very strong. Our ventilator ties came adrift, & found miniature snow mound on bags this morning, reminiscent of Satans Hollow. Cleared it out fairly well. Wind very heavy still & heavy snow fall
[Page 139]
Sunday Oct 13
6
.28.12
.ESE 6-8
.FS
.Dull
9
.28.21
6-8
.."
.."
12...28.16
..6-8
.."
.."
3
.28.10
.8-10
."
."
6
.28.10
.8-10
."
."
[Page 140]
Sunday Oct 13
Wind very strong still with falling snow. Quite expected to find tent down any part of night, but still holds, altho torn in places cap has tear in it. Strange lying in bags near crevasses
& cliffs, with chance of no shelter. Thinking of family at home, & how different in Aust & Eng. Bags getting very wet. No sound from other tent for 2 days
[Page 141]
Monday Oct 14
9
.27.94
.ESE 6-8
.FS
.Dull
12...28.10
"..6-8
..FS
.."
3
.28.22
."
4-6
.FS
."
6
.28.24
"
.2-4
.FS
.."
S " 2-4
SSE 2-4
[Page 142]
Monday Oct 14
Wind decreased a little to-day & tent still up. No sound from other tent for 3 days so went out at 5.30 to feed dogs. Found their tent down. Dug them out. Had no hot grub or drink for 2 days. Big tear in tent. Very heavy snow & not able to see. Brewed them big dish of tea, & warmed their tummies, & helped push tent up again to fair position. Dogs ravenous. Could not find Switz. My clothes in awful mess. Got more grub in Wind down a little, but hope it keeps up while snow lasts. Makes 5 days. Bag saturated as well as floorcloth.
[Page 143]
Tuesday Oct 15
6
.28.20
.SSE 2-3
.FS
.Dull
9....28.20
"
2-3
..FS
."
12...28.16
."
2-3
."
"
3
.28.14
."
.1-2
Ci2 Clear
Ci 2
6
.28.14
.1
Ci2
Ci 2
12
.3-4
..Ci 4 St 4
3
.4-6
[Page 144]
Tuesday Oct 15.
Blew heavy all night but cleared up a little & sun appeared at noon, first sight for 4 days. Snow ceased falling & only low drift all afternoon. Other tent all out renovating, but some fine sewing to be done on moving. Switz still away so probably lost. Amundsen hung with ice blocks like cricket balls, which rattle as he walks. Bags in an awful condition. Appears very fine out now (6 p.m.,) with blue sky & light wind.
Celebrated with a clean handkerchief, the other having done duty for 3 weeks now, & being nicely blown.
[Page 145]
Wed Oct 16
6
.28.04
.+13
SSE 1-2
Clear
9
.27.98
.1-2
"
12
27.94
+6.5
.0-1
Ci NES 2
.Ci-St rising
3
..27.90
0-1
".." 3
.N.ack.
." " 6
6
.27.85
.+7.5
.1-2
ai A.S. 3
A-Cu band N to SW. all day low. (1)
Very fine bands of Ci-St at 6. 8 separate bands noticeable. N to S, very dark at ends.
+30 in Sun.
[Page 146]
Wed. Oct 16
Blew heavily at night but dropped again early. Drift ceased to great extent at noon so we went out & set up the depot. Left 6 weeks grub & paraffin for 3 men. Harrisson & I struck our tent, sewed it up & repatched in new spot. Not good camp, but better than lying in water Lovely after-noon, & able to do a little drying as Sun temp only 2 below Freezing. Bar. Down again & low drift with wind not portending good day tomorrow. If fine we strike for home straight Switz not turned up. Either dead or living on seal on the floe.
[Page 147]
Thursday Oct 17.
6
.27.88
.+14
.ESE 1-2
.FS
.Dull
9
.27.90
.+12.6........2-3
.."
12..27.88
.+20.5
2-3
..MD
-8
3
.27.92
..+21
3-4
..MD
10
6
.27.97
..+17
...3-4
..MD
10
[Page 148]
Thurs. Oct 17
Expected blow arrived heralded by snow falling heavy from 3 am. Had late breakfast. Talked most of morning after lunch Switz appeared. Fright-fully then, after 6 days without food. Been a disapp. Hound if we had left to-day. Dreamed day dreams in bag afternoon about friends at home. Archie out to feed dogs. Tea at 5 & a chat & sing. Barom. Stuck all day, going up now
[Page 149]
Friday Oct 18
..3-4
..3-4
6
..27.98
..+20
..ESE 3-4 MD Dull
9
..27.98
..+18
.3-4 MD Dull
12
27.95
+17.5
4-6 MD Dull
3
..27.98
+17.5
6-8 HD
"
6
..28.05
+20
6-8
"
.."
[Page 150]
Friday Oct 18.
Blew hard all night & harder still to-day. Heard yelling or singing in other tent once. We discussed Politics for some time & read, but very cold. My feet been very bad all day Turned heads other way tonight Heavy gale on, & tent flapping like the firing of guns. This equals the record of Satans Hollow now, (9 days)
[Page 151]
Sat. Oct 19
6-8
6-8
6
..28.09
..20.5
.4-6 ESE E8 Dull
9
..28.08
..21.5
.4-6
"
"
12
28.08
..17.5
.3-4
.."
3
..28.08
..18
.2-3
Ci 7a- St 1
6
..28.05
..17
.2-3
Ci 6a- St 2
[Page 152]
Sat Oct 19
Still here in tents with heavy winds. Very strong during night Bag looks like that of a drowned rat. Archie came for grub to-day & I changed books, & been reading Vittoria since. Wind down a little & Sky clearer, but bar not too good.
[Page 153]
Sun. Oct 20
.6-8
.6-8
6
..27.79
..+7.5
..SSE 4-6 Dull
9
..27.75
..+10
..4-6
.."
12
27.69
4-6
.."
3
27.65
..+15
..6-8
.."
6
27.56
+14
.6-8
"
[Page 154]
Sun Oct. 20
Ay, mon, but it blew last night & this afternoon. Cannon nothing to it. Shook one pole out of place, but she still holds. Impossible to get out. Another glorious Sunday. Wondering how different all spending it at home. Bar. Did a drop of ½ in to-day, seems to be steady now. This makes 11 days of it. Finished Vittoria to-day so only sleep to fall back on. Dreaming of K. Party to-day Good argument on Irelands Wrongs with Harrisson.
Very tired of cold feet. Had ½ hrs dance this afternoon as nearly friz. Sang psalms & a few hymns.
[Page 155]
Mon Oct 21
6-8 HD
8-12 "
6-8 "
6
..27.67
..+11.5
..SSE. 3-4 MD Dull
9
..27.68
..+12.5
..2-3 MD Ci 8
12
.27.70
..+15
.2-3
"
.Ci 6
3
27.71
..+14
.2-3
"
.6
6
27.74
..+10.5
.2-3
"
.6
[Page 156]
Mon. Oct 31.
The heavy gales came on again last night. Other tent had to dig out this morning. Jones came across & got us some biscuits. Sky cleared a little all day, but a severe wind kept up, & still going heavily. Barom rising slowly. Feeling very insidey thro 12 days lying in bags. Still gets very cold on feet & hands. Like to be able to describe last nights blow well. Tent quivered, & shook as under weight of tons & clash of wind & drift was marvellous. Dont know how old tent stood it.
[Page 157]
Tues. Oct 22
9
..27.81
..+11
..2-3 MD Cu 4 Ci 3 St 2
12
27.93
+15
..2-3 LD Cu 4 Ci 3 St 2
(17)
3
..27.94
+19.5
1-2 LD Cu-St 4 Ci 2
6
..27.96
+17
1-2 LD Dull 8
Steadied up some to-day & only very light wind & drift since lunch. Harrisson & I went out for more grub. Looks like getting away tomorrow altho sky dull again Water sky in very close Northwards Cold feet still.
Wed Oct 23
6
..28.02
..+17.5
..ESE 2-3
..F.S. .....Ci-Ca 4 Ci 2
9
..28.00
20.5
" 2-3
LD
."
.."
12
27.98
21.5
.SSE 3-4
MD
"
..3
3
..27.94
+17
." 3-4
.MD
6
..27.96
+17
." 3-4
..MD
Dull
Called at 4 am. But F.S. & so unable to start. Blew harder all day, so over 4 weeks up & not back yet. Wild will be anxious if he is back. Still drifting heavily Very tired of lying & dreaming.
[Page 158]
Thurs Oct 24
..2-3
..2-3
6
..27.84
..+17
..SSE 2-3
..Dull
9
..27.81
..+20
.." 2-3
.."
12
27.83
+20.5
.2-3
"
3
..27.77
+18.5
.." 5-6
"
6
..27.80
+17
" 5-6
.."
Blew medium till 3 p.m. when came on very fresh, & old tent having a hard life since. Sun thro mist very hot to-day, able to melt the snow on tent. Harrisson out & got grub from Depot stores, worse luck but we have none left, as 1 day overtime now. Amundsen has a very fine bed just outside our door. Did some repairing (very necess.) to my bag, & not pleasing to fingers. Bar. Down & up again. Cold feet abominable. Temp up to +20 today
Friday. Oct 25
6
..27.94
..+7.5
..SSE 3-4 MD
..Cu 4 Ci 2
9
..27.92
..+11
.." 3-4... "
.."
12
28.01
+17
.." 2-3
"
.."
3
..28.08
..+16.5
.." 2-3 SD
.Ci-Cu 4. N 4. Ci 1
6
..29.10
..+14
..1-2
.."
.Cu 4 N 2 St 2
Another day of it but clearing up tonight fine & good promise for tomorr. Archie came to visit us after lunch. Had a good chat & gave him ½ tin-baccy. Harrisson & I gossiped most of day. His 12th anniversary of wedding to-day. Bar & therm good. Sun quite an unusual splendour.
[pp. 159-160 turned horizontally for a landscape, with title and detail across both pages]
[Page 159]
Lat. 66.30. Long. 98. Nunatak from Shackleton Glacier 10-15 miles from land (ice-clad). 3 reefs visible under snow cap of the land. Looking SE. To left. 3 rocks visible 50-60 miles off. Bottom shows crevassed ice around Nunatak.
Sept. 2nd 1912. Temp -31° F
[Key with shading]Gneiss or granite
[Key with shading] feldspar predominating
Unshaded = snow & ice
[Page 160]
[as per page 159]
[Page 161]
J......W
M
16
.100
12
.30
24
.40
..30
32
.12
..32
100
.8
16
.12
32
.32
..60
30
.
8
48
6
.8
..6
16
.12
36
284..152
342
[Page 162]
Sat Oct 26
6
.28.10
..+6
..SSE 2-3
..clear
9
.28.05
..+6.5
."
.."
.on floe 1000 ft don
12...29.10
..ESE 0-1
.."
[Page 163]
Aurora. 7.30 p.m Tues. Ap. 16. 1912
[Drawing on page turned horizontally]
[Page 164]
[Drawing on page turned horizontally, lettered a-d]
Night & morning of 23rd & 24th March 1912.
a. Harrisson, b. Jones & c. Moyes in tent in blizzard.
d. = snow mound
[Page 165]
[Drawing on page turned horizontally]
Harrisson, Blue Ice
[Page 166]
[Drawing on page turned horizontally]
View. Ice falls. Foot of Wild Land on Shackleton. March 1912
[Transcribed by Robert Woodley for the State Library of New South Wales]