Read all about Thomas Corwin's general description, specifications and time line.

Notes:

1. Latitude/longitude, including for days in port, show representative decimal positions for each day, as calculated by the Old Weather project's analysis program. As such, they differ by varying amounts from the positions recorded, usually at noon, in the log pages. In addition, some latitudes/longitudes have been amended in edited logs for errors in the logs, for errors in identifying locations by the analysis program, or simply for greater accuracy. In all cases, refer to the log-page scans for the positions as originally recorded. Not all log pages contain this information and the ships' positions have therefore often been estimated.

2. Full account of any day is available by clicking on the link above that day. Any groups of links may refer to log book covers and introductory information; some may be blank.

Editor’s notes:

1. Latitude/longitude, including for days in port, show representative decimal positions for each day. as provided in the log, usually at noon. In addition, some latitudes/longitudes have been amended in edited history for errors in the logs, for errors in identifying locations, or simply for greater accuracy. In all cases, refer to the log-page scans for the positions as originally recorded. Not all log pages contain this information and the ship’s positions have therefore occasionally been estimated; indicated thus [Est].

2. The majority of each day’s log, including weather information, sail changes & narrative text, have been copied verbatim. Items such as soundings, daily inspections etc. and the names of the lieutenants whose signatures appear under the notes for each watch have not been transcribed here. A full account of every day is available by clicking the link above that day. Any groups of links may refer to log book covers and introductory information; some may be blank.

3. Although the log book cover states that the log ends on 22 October 1881, the transcribed information received ends on 10 September 1881.

4. Significant additions, comments and changes to log entries are marked in italic [thus].

5. Alternative spellings of names are given at the first instance.

6. Unclear or unverified entries are marked with a tilde [~].


THE VOYAGES OF USRC THOMAS CORWIN 1881
(More detailed plots follow in the text)

JP map overview

(Maps prepared using Journey Plotter, developed by Maikel. The Plots can only be approximate. They are made by joining-up positions on successive days, and sometimes positions are not given. There will therefore be occasions when the ship appears to have travelled overland)

LOG BOOK – MAY 1st 1881 TO OCTOBER 22nd 1881


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[Left half of front page of log book]

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[Right half of front page of log book]

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[Left side of blank page]



LOGS FOR MAY 1881


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1 May 1881

Transcript Journal of the US Revenue Steamer Corwin. Captain CL Hooper Commanding from May 1881 to and including October 22, 1881.

[Note that we only have logs until 10 September 1881]


San Francisco, California

Lat 37.81, Long -122.41


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with moderate SE wind & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch.


8am to meridian:

Fresh W wind and cloudy. 10.0am: Mustered crew and inspected ship.

Transferred Robert Welsford, Seaman, to Engineer’s Department and rated him coal-passer.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light SW wind and cloudy weather.

4.15pm: Vessel swung to ebb tide.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather same as previous watch.


8pm to midnight:

Light westerly wind and partly clear. 8.20pm Vessel swung to flood tide. Day ends calm and cloudy.


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2 May 1881

San Francisco

Lat 37.81, Long -122.41

[Part of the right hand side of the page has been cut, making some entries unreadable.]


4am to 8am:

Fresh Northerly wind and cloudy.


8am to meridian:

Fresh SW wind and partly cloudy. Crew mostly employed fitting ship for sea.

Received on board 2000 gallons fresh water. Ship ~ DR Hancock, Seaman, and Chas Janson, Seaman ~. Surgeon IC Rosse reported for duty.


Meridian to 4pm:

Wind and weather the same. Received one ~ cord wood in Engineer’s Department.

Received Department communications of 21st and 22nd alt (initials CS ~ relating to allotments and advance wages of seamen).


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh SW wind and clear. Received from Capt. J H Merryman two hygrometers also one miner’s barometer, purchased in open market.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh SW wind and clear.


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3 May 1881

San Francisco

Lat 37.81, Long -122.41


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in light S’ly wind and clear..

4am to 8am: Light S’ly wind and clear.


8am to meridian:

Light SW wind and clear. Started fires and got steam.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh SW wind and hazy. Crew variously employed. Carpenter making chocks for steam launch. Shipped Robert Lockhead, 2nd class Boy.


4pm to 8pm:

Strong SW wind and hazy. Received steam launch from contractors and took her in board. Crew securing launch. Received 4 barrels lard oil and oil stove with furniture. Received all stores of regular and special requisition for Alaska service.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh SW wind and clear.


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4 May 1881

San Francisco and at sea

Lat 37.81, Long -122.41


Midnight to 4am:

Weather calm and hazy.


4am to 8am:

Light variable air and hazy.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from the W’d, weather hazy. Employed getting vessel ready for sea, receiving stores etc.

Officers and crew received pay for the month of April 1881.

Received on board from Navy yard at Mare Island, 4 cases (270 lbs each) of Pemmican. Got steam on boiler. Shipped Frank Brown, Seaman. Prof John Muir came on board.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate to gentle breeze from the W’d and partly clear.

At 1pm, in obedience to Department order of April 21st, 1881, got under way and proceeded to sea accompanied by the Revenue Steamers RUSH and HARTLEY.

At 2pm crossed the bar, RUSH and HARTLEY returned. At 2.30pm made fore and aft sails. At 3.15pm got in all sail, wind drawing ahead


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze and pleasant weather. At 4.30pm stopped and put mail on board an inward bound schooner.

At 6pm Point Reyes light house N, ½ mile, from which we take departure, shaped course W by N. Full speed was ordered.


6pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from W’d, weather pleasant, sea smooth. A large four masted steamer in sight heading to SW under steam.


8pm to midnight:

Light gentle breeze from WNW and partly clear. Latter part of watch cloudy with light rain. Swell making from the westward.


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5 May 1881

At sea [San Francisco to Ounalaska]

Lat 38.79, Long -125.65


Midnight to 4 am:

Comes in with moderate to fresh breeze, first part overcast, latter part clear, wind hauling to W’d, sea making from the W’d.


4am to 8am:

Fresh NW wind and clear weather, wind hauling to N’d.

At 6am made all fore and aft sails. At 6.30am winds W ½ S. Sea rough, occasional water coming onboard.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from the N’d and W’d and partly clear.

Rough sea, vessel making good weather. Watch employed putting on chafing gear. Carpenter employed on steam cutter.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate breeze from WNW and partly cloudy, sea rough. Carpenter employed as in previous watch.

Several pieces of oak sheathing and the piece on stern marking the draft of water have been washed off.


4pm to 6pm:

Moderate NW wind and passing clouds. Moderate swell on starboard bow.


6pm to 8pm:

Weather and sea same as previous watch.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate to fresh NW wind and clear weather. Sea moderate, vessel by the wind under all fore and aft sails.


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6 May 1881

At sea

Lat 39.48, Long -129.42


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from N’d and partly clear. Sea moderate.

At 3.30am stopped engine, 12 minutes, vessel by the wind, under fore and aft sail and steam.


4am to 8am:

Fresh moderate breeze from N’d and cloudy. Moderate sea on starboard bow.


8am to meridian:

Gentle breeze from the N’d and W’d and cloudy in first part, latter part clear and pleasant, sea moderate.

At 10.0am inspected berth deck. Carpenter employed on steam cutter.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from NW to light breeze from south and partly clear. Sea moderate.


4pm to 6pm:

Gentle breeze from the S’d and partly clear. Sea moderate.

At 4.30pm made topsail and topgallant sail. At 4.40pm in fore staysail, set fore sail.


6pm to 8pm:

Gentle southerly breeze, sky overcast with indications of rain. Moderate westerly swell.

At 7.45pm out fore staysail, in fore sail.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle to fresh breeze from the S’d and squally with rain.

At 11 hauled topgallant sail, gaff topsail and flying jib.


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7 May 1881

At sea

Lat 40.96, Long -132.27


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with fresh breeze to strong gale from S’d and heavy rain and squally.

At 1am took in fore topsail. At 1.30am double reefed mainsail. At 2am took in jib.

At 3am took bonnet out of fore sail. Sea rough, quantities of water coming on board fore and aft.


4am to 8am:

Fresh to moderate gale from S’d. Sky overcast, sea rough.

At 5am stood W ½ S. Sheathing, washing off vessel. Vessel out her course with double reefed main sail, fore trysail and fore and main staysails.


8am to meridian:

Moderate to fresh breeze from S’d to W’d.

Overcast, misty and drizzling rain. Rough westerly sea.

At 8am one reef out of mainsail, first bonnet in fore trysail, set jib. At 10.30 kept away W by N out reef mainsail, set gaff topsail and flying jib.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light westerly wind, weather overcast and raining. 1pm in all sail. At 3pm wind hauled in to N’d and W’d freshening. Made all fore and aft sails. Carried away two smoke stack guys. Repaired them. Watch employed putting coal in bunkers from off quarter deck.


4pm to 6pm:

Gentle to moderate breeze from NNW and partly clear. At 4pm made fore sail, fore topsail and topgallant sail, took in fore staysail. Fitted two preventive guys to smokestack.


6pm to 8 pm:

Moderate breeze from N’d. Sky overcast, sea moderate. At 6.30pm stopped engines, 18 minutes to adjust machinery.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate to light breeze from N’d and W’d and cloudy. Latter part weather clearing, moderate beam sea.


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8 May 1881

At sea

Lat 42.42, Long -136.34


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with gentle to light breeze from N’d and W’d and partly clear. Sea moderate.

3am, wind light and baffling, took in fore sail, topsail and topgallant sail.


4am to 8am:

Light to gentle breeze from N’d and partly clear. Sea moderate. At 5.10am set fore topsail and topgallant sail. 6am set foresail.


8am to meridian:

Gentle breeze from the N’d and partly clear. Sea moderate to smooth. At 9.30 set topmast stunsail. 9.30am set lower stunsail. At 10.0am inspected ship. At 11 took in stunsails.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light northerly wind and partly clear. Sea smooth. At 1.15 wind drawing ahead, took in square sails. At 3 set fore staysail.


4pm to 6pm:

Light northerly breeze and fine weather. Moderate swell from the N’d.


6pm to 8 pm:

Gentle breeze from the N’d and W’d and partly clear. Sea smooth.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from NNW and partly clear. Sea smooth.


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9 May 1881

At sea

Lat 44.02, Long -140.30


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with light N’d wind and partly cloudy. Moderate swell from NW. At 2.30 wind hauling ahead.

Took in fore topsail and gaff topsail. At 2am set fore trysail and gaff topsail.


4am to 8am:

Light northerly breeze and partly clear. Sea moderate. Took in for trysail, hauled it out over the gaff and set it. At 8am took in fore trysail.


8am to meridian: Slight variable wind. Sky clear. Sea smooth. At 9.40am took in head sail and main staysail. At 10 set fore and main staysails. Meridian calm and hazy.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from S’d and W’d and partly clear. At 2 set jib, flying jib and fore trysail. Sea smooth.


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze from S’d and W’d and cloudy. Sea smooth.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light southerly breeze and cloudy. Sea smooth. At 6.30 in fore staysail.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate breeze from S’d. Sky overcast. Smooth sea


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10 May 1881

At sea

Lat 45.77, Long -144.25 [47°51'52"N, 147°42'15" in log-book]


[Entries from US National Archives]


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh to gentle breeze from S'd and W'd and partly clear. Smooth sea.


4am to 8am:

Light southerly breeze and cloudy. Light rain. Moderate sea. Performed morning duties.


8am to meridian:

Gentle to light breeze from S'd; weather thick and rainy. At 10 inspected berth deck. At 11 fore trysail. Heavy westerly swell. Watch variously employed.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light variable winds and partly clear. Moderate sea. At 12.05 set fore trysail. At 1 took in all square sails. At 2.20 in fore trysail. At 2.30 in head-sails. At 3.30 set fore staysail.


4pm to 6pm:

Light to moderate breeze from S'd and W'd and partly clear. Moderate sea. At 2 set all fore and aft sails.


6pm to 8pm:

Fresh breeze from S'd and W'd and cloudy. Heavy westerly swell.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh to strong breeze from SW and cloudy. Rough sea. At 11.05 in gaff topsail and flying jib. Slowed engine 10 minutes to enable crew to furl flying jib. Quantities of water coming on board. Lost bucket-rack from topgallant forecastle.


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11 May 1881

At sea

Lat 47.86, Long -147.70

[Location from US National Archives]


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from W’d. Sky overcast, light rain. Moderate sea. 1am in fore trysail, jib & staysails.


4am to 8am:

Moderate to gentle breeze from the W’d & partly clear. At 5.40 set fore & main staysails. At 6.20 set jib. At 8 changed course to WNW & set fore trysail.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from S’d & W’d. Sky cloudy, rough sea. At 8.10 made flying jib & gaff topsail. At 9 course W by N.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate breeze from SW & partly clear. Heavy westerly swell.


4pm to 6pm:

Moderate breeze from SW, sky overcast, sea rough.


6pm to 8 pm:

Moderate breeze from SE & cloudy. Rough sea.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from SW & cloudy. Sea moderating.


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12 May 1881

At sea

Lat 49.53, Long -151.68


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle breeze from SW and overcast. Occasional light rain, moderate westerly sea.


4am to 8am:

Gentle to moderate breeze from SW and partly clear. Sea moderate.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from SW and partly clear. Moderate sea.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate fresh breeze from SW and clear weather. Moderate westerly sea.


4pm to 6pm: Fresh breeze from SW and partly clear. Weather cold and gloomy, sea moderate.


6pm to 8 pm:

Fresh breeze from SW. Sky overcast. Sea moderate. At 6pm exercised crew at fire stations


8pm to midnight:

Fresh to moderate breeze from SW and partly clear. Squally weather with rain and hail. Moderate sea.

8.30 in flying jib and gaff topsail, slowed engine to enable crew to furl flying jib. At 11.30 hauled jib down. At 11.25 set jib. At 11.50 hauled jib down.


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[A page has been inserted over the right hand page for 13 May 1881. It has obscured some of the transcribed weather information, of which a few words can be seen to the right of the inserted page. However, from 4pm onwards the weather details have been written on the inserted page, rather than the page below. The inserted pages are all rough, shorthand writing, rather than the elegant script of the transcribed log, so it may be that the inserted page is the contemporaneous record. All text transcribed below.]


The following is a copy of the instructions to the officer in command of the expedition. The "Corwin" will be at west end of Kolutchin Island, the point of departure, June 15, June 30, & July 15. If not meeting the vessel at any of these dates, proceed to East Cape. Leave letters at settlements stopped at, addressed to this vessel. In case this vessel does not reach East Cape by the 15th of August, go to Plover Bay. On the way, stop at St. Lawrence Bay, leave letter with natives to be put on board any whaling vessel to be delivered to the "Corwin", giving information of your whereabouts. Leave letter with natives at East Cape. In every instance of meeting natives, inform them of the object of your mission."


[Below the above text are the following log entries. It is not possible to say to which day they refer.]


4pm to 8pm;

Moderate weather and overcast. Snow.

At 5pm boats returned, steamed ahead to the East. Set jib and flying jib. Steamed through quantities of drift ice during watch.


8pm to midnight:

Wind. Rain then snow as in previous watch. Steaming to E’d along edge of the ice.


Sick list: Albert Kranzler, Quarter Master.


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13 May 1881

At sea

Lat 51.23, Long -155.59


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh to strong breeze from SW with frequent squalls of rain and hail.

At 12.15 set flying jib. Rough head sea.


4am to 8am:

Strong breeze from SW with violent squalls of wind rain and hail. Sea rough. In flying jib.


8am to meridian:

Strong breeze from SW. Squally with frequent showers of rain, hail etc. Sea rough. At 11.55 set flying jib and gaff topsail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh to moderate breeze from SW and partly clear with frequent rain squalls.

At 12 stopped engine to pack valve stem and piston rod and repair leaking tube. At 2 started engine. Vessel under all fore and aft sail.


4pm to 6pm:

Moderate SW breeze and partly clear. Moderate sea.


6pm to 8 pm:

Moderate breeze from S’d and partly clear. Heavy SW swell. 8pm made topsail and square sail. Took in fore staysail.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate to fresh breeze from S’d and overcast. At 10pm in flying jib and gaff topsail. At 11pm in square sail. Sea moderate.


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14 May 1881

At sea

Lat 52.77, Long -159.60


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate to fresh breeze from S’d and overcast. Squally with rain, sea moderate.


4am to 8am:

Strong breeze from S’d and squally. Overcast and raining, rough beam sea At 8 took in topsail.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from S’d and partly clear. Rough sea. At 9.0am set topsail and topgallant sail and fore sail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh light breeze from the S’d. Overcast, foggy and misty. Rough sea. At 1pm in all square sails. Latter part of watch partly clear.


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze from W’d and partly clear. Heavy swell from S’d.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light westerly wind and cloudy damp weather. Heavy southerly swell. At 6.45 took in all sail.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh breeze from NW. At 8.30 made all fore and aft sail except flying jib and gaff topsail. At 10 blowing fresh gale. Took in jib, double reefed main sail, took bonnet out of fore trysail. Rough sea. Quantities of water coming inboard. At midnight wind moderating.


Approved to date. CL Hooper, Captain USRM


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15 May 1881

At sea

Lat 53.12, Long -163.85


Midnight to 4am:

Strong breeze to moderate gale from NW, overcast and squally. Rough sea.

Vessel by the wind under small sail.


4am to 8am:

Moderate gale from NW with snow squalls. Rough sea. At 5.30 out reef in main sail and set jib. At 6 put bonnet in fore trysail. At 7.25 took in jib.


8am to meridian:

Fresh gale from NW. Squally with snow. Rough sea. At 8.20 set jib. Latter part wind and sea moderating.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh gale from W’d and partly clear with occasional snow squalls. Weather cold and disagreeable. Sea rough. At 4 wind moderating some. Tacked ship to the N’d and W’d.


4pm to 6pm:

Strong breeze from N’d and partly clear with snow squalls. Sea rough.


6pm to 8 pm: Strong breeze from N’d and partly clear with snow squalls. Rough sea.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with strong westerly wind and partly cloudy. Rough sea. At 12 tacked ship to S’d and W’d. Took in fore topsail.


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16 May 1881

At sea

Lat 53.88, Long -166.05


Midnight to 4am:

Commenced with fresh breeze from N’d and W’d and cloudy. Sea rough. Standing to the westward under low steam. At 3.15 sighted the land (Ounalaska [Unalaska] Island) bearing W by N distant about 30 miles.


4am to 8am:

Fresh breeze from N’d and cloudy. Sea moderate. At 7.45 in all sail. Bent chains and got anchors off the bow.


8am to meridian:

Fresh gale from N’d. Squally with blinding snow storm. Sea rough. Stopped engine at intervals to sound.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate gale from NW. Squally with thick snow storm. At 1.45pm stood into Analga Pass (strong flood tide). At 2.00 wore ship and stood out of the pass. Heavy tide rip. Vessel’s decks flooded fore and aft. Set topsail and fore staysail. Stood in for English Harbor. In all sail. At 2.40 stopped and sounded in 40 fathoms. At 2.50 ahead again up the bay, sounding frequently. At 3.25 got bottom in 10 fathoms. Let go anchor. Banked fires.


4pm to 6pm:

Fresh breeze from NW and squally with occasional snow.


6pm to 8 pm:

Moderate gale from MW and squally with snow.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with moderate gale from NW and frequent squalls.


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17 May 1881

English Harbor [to Ounalaska Harbor]

Lat 53.88, Long -166.53


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with strong to fresh breeze from N’d and squally. Vessel at anchor in English Harbor.


4am to 8am:

Fresh breeze from NW and cloudy.

At 5.25 got under way and stood toward Analga Pass. Found tide running ebb; vessel unable to steam against it, made fore and aft sails and attempted to beat through. At 7am unable to make any headway took in sail. During remainder of watch held vessel to the tide. Measured the tide and found it 7 knots an hour.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from NW and cloudy. Strong head tide. Increased speed of engine and got through the pass. At meridian anchored in Ounalaska Harbor.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from the N’d and overcast. Hauled vessel on the beach preparatory to putting on sheathing. Blew water out of boiler


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze from the N’d and overcast. Crew employed replacing sheathing. Engineer's Department repairing leaking boiler. Ship's surgeon visited several of the natives professionally.


6pm to 8 pm:

Weather same as in previous watch. Crew employed putting sheathing on. Received from Alaska Commercial Company 20lbs galvanized nails.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light NW wind and overcast.


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18 May 1881

Ounalaska Harbor

Lat 53.88, Long -166.53


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with light breeze from SE and partly clear.


4am to 8am:

Moderate E wind and partly clear. Put ship aground for the purpose of repair of sheathing.


8am to meridian:

Strong breeze from SE and cloudy. All hands employed in repairing sheathing. Engineer's Department repairing leaking boiler. Received from Alaska Commercial Company [AC Co], 100lbs cut nails.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong breeze from SE and cloudy with light rain.


4pm to 6pm:

Fresh breeze from the S’d, overcast and rainy. At high water got vessel off the beach and made preparation to put her aground again to repair sheathing on port side. Engineer's Department employed as in previous watch.


6pm to 8 pm:

Fresh to moderate breeze from SE, overcast and raining. Ship's surgeon visited several native families professionally.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with moderate breeze from SE. Weather thick and rainy.


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19 May 1881

Ounalaska Harbor

Lat 53.88, Long -166.53


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with gentle SE breeze, overcast and raining.


4am to 8am:

Slight breeze from SE, overcast and raining. Latter part wind veered to N’d. Put vessel aground.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from the N’d, weather overcast and raining. Employed repairing sheathing and bagging coal.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from N’d, weather thick and raining. Carpenter and assistants replacing and refastening sheathing. Crew employed bagging coal. Engineer's Department employed on boiler and steam cutter.


4pm to 6pm:

Gentle breeze from N’d, overcast with rain and fog. AC Co steamer St Paul and schooner Matthew Turner arrived.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light breeze from the N’d, overcast rainy & foggy. At 7.20 hauled the vessel from off the beach.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from the N’d, overcast and misty with drizzling rain. At 9 finished hauling ship, anchored.


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20 May 1881

Ounalaska Harbor

Lat 53.88, Long -166.53


Midnight to 4am:

Light southerly breeze. Weather overcast and for at intervals.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch. 7.20, commenced coaling ship.


8am to meridian:

Light airs from the N’d and partly clear. All hands employed coaling ship.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from N’d and E’d and cloudy. All hands employed as previous watch.


4pm to 6pm:

Light NE wind and cloudy. All hands employed bagging and boating off coal.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light NE breeze and partly clear. Gave all hands liberty until 10pm.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light variable wind and cloudy with occasional rain.


Sick list: Henry Fagin – Seaman.


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21 May 1881

Ounalaska Harbor

Lat 53.88, Long -166.53


Midnight to 4 am

Light southerly airs and overcast and drizzling rain. At 3 started fires under boiler.


4am to 8am:

Calm and cloudy. At 5.45 got underway and mad fast to wharf. All hands employed coaling ship.


8am to meridian:

Light variable airs and overcast. All hands employed as in previous watch.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from the N’d and E’d and overcast. All hands employed coaling ship. Put mail on board steamer HL TIERNAN.

[HL TIERNAN was a fishing schooner and is listed as wrecked only a year later. However, another site says that she was subsequently repaired and used for many years.]


4pm to 6pm:

Light airs from N’d and E’d and overcast. Finished coaling having received 92 1056/2240 tons. Got ice breaker on board.


6pm to 8 pm:

Weather same as previous watch. At 7 cast off from the wharf and anchored. Banked fires. Employed watering ship.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light airs from NE, overcast and misty. Employed watering ship.


Log approved to date CL Hooper. Captain, USRM

Sick list: Michael Donohue, fireman. Henry Fagin, Seaman, returned to duty.


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22 May 1881

Ounalaska Harbor [and at sea]

Lat 54.78, Long -166.92


Midnight to 4am:

Light variable breeze, overcast, drizzling rain and foggy. Employed watering ship.


4am to 8am:

Light breeze from NW, overcast and misty. At 4am weighed anchor. At 4.30 steamed out of the harbor.

The master of schooner HL TIERNAN desiring to go to sea and being unable to do so, the wind being light and ahead, took her in tow and towed her clear of the harbor. At 6.50 Kalehta [Kalekhta] Point bore S ¼ E, distant 6½ miles. Shaped course N½ W for St George Island. Crew employed securing boats etc.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from N’d & E’d. Overcast and misty. Sea smooth. At 11.45 made all fore and aft sails.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle to moderate breeze from N’d and E’d and overcast. At 3pm set square sails, hauled down fore staysail. At 3.30pm slowed engine.


4pm to 6pm:

Moderate breeze from NNE, overcast and foggy. At 6pm hauled up fore sail, took in topgallant sail and gaff topsail.


6pm to 8 pm:

Wind and weather the same, sea smooth. At 6.40 set fore staysail.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from NE, sky overcast and misty. Sea smooth. 10.30 increased speed of engine so as to log seven knots.


Sick list: Michael Donohue, fireman, returned to duty


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23 May 1881

At sea

Lat 57.10, Long -170.50


Midnight to 4am:


Gentle breeze from NNE. Sky overcast and misty. At 3am set fore sail. At 3.30 set gaff topsail. At 3.45 set topgallant sail. Sea smooth.


4am to 8am:

Gentle breeze from NE and partly clear, foggy. At 5 in fore sail and trysail. At 6 took in topsail and topgallant sail. At 6.30 hauled down jibs, stopped engine and sounded in 40 fathoms. Ahead and set jibs. At 6.40 fog lifting some, sighted St George on starboard beam. Hauled down jibs, clewed up gaff topsail and hauled up ENE. At 6.55 set jibs and stood to the N’d and W’d.


8am to meridian:

Gently to light breeze from NE and partly clear. Sea smooth. At 8.30 set square sails and gaff topsail. At 11.30 took in all sails.

At 11.45 stopped and sounded in 25 fathoms, ahead again to N’d and W’d, stopping and sounding frequently. Watch employed with engineers force putting new side plates to ice breaker. Carpenter making crows nest.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from NE and partly clear.

At 12.15 ahead, stood to N’d and E’d. Stopped engines at intervals to get soundings. At 1.10 sighted SE end of St Paul’s Island. At 1.40 anchored in 9 fathoms. Finding the surf too heavy to make a landing, at 2 got underway and steamed around the SE end of the island and came to in 10 fathoms. Special Agent Otis came on board. [Colonel Harrison Gray Otis was the Special Treasury Agent in charge at St Paul’s Island. Captain Hooper’s report on the meeting confirms that it was decided that it was unnecessary to detail an officer for duty on Otter Island because the force on St Paul’s Island would be ample to protect both Islands.]

Commanding Officer visited the island officially. Engineer's Department repairing ice breaker. Got ice breaker in place and secured it.


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze from N and clear weather. Commanding Officer returned on board.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light airs from NE and clear weather. At 7.40 got underway and stood around the West end of Island.


8pm to midnight:

Light variable airs and foggy. Sea smooth. 8.50. SW point of St Paul’s Island bearing E ½ S, distant 2½ miles, shaped course NW ¾ N. Set jib, flying jib, fore and main staysails, topsail and fore topsail.


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24 May 1881

At sea, Behring's Sea [Behring or Bering Sea]

Lat 58.72, Long -171.43


Midnight to 4am:

Light airs from SW. Overcast, foggy and misty. Sea smooth. At 3.30 in fore staysail.


4am to 8am:

Light airs to light breeze from SW. Overcast, foggy and misty. At 7.30am set fore staysail, topgallant sail, main sail, gaff topsail and fore sail.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from SW. Overcast and misty. Sea smooth. At 10.15 took in topgallant sail and sent down topgallant lanyard. Crew and carpenter making crows nest. Took in fore staysail.


Meridian to 4pm: Light breeze from SW and overcast. Sea smooth. At 12.45 sighted ice along starboard beam. At 1.50 raised scattered ice ahead, changed course to W by N ½ N. Watch employed rigging crow’s nest and painting launch.


4pm to 6pm:

Light southerly wind and overcast. Sea smooth. Finished painting steam cutter.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light southerly wind and overcast. Sea smooth.


8pm to midnight: Gentle breeze from S’d. Overcast. Latter part light rain. Sea smooth.


Sick list: Thomas De Sozie, Seaman


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25 May 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 60.42, Long -175.40


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle breeze from SW, overcast and misty. At 3 dense fog and light rain. Sea moderate. Hauled up foresail


4am to 8am:

Moderate breeze from S’d, foggy and misty. Sea moderate. At 5.15 fog very dense, slowed engine and took in fore trysail. At 6 stopped engine and sounded in 54 fathoms. At 6.10 ahead, seat fore trysail without bonnet. At 8 set foresail.


8am to meridian:

Moderate to gentle breeze from SW and foggy. Moderate sea. At 10.20 sounded in 60 fathoms. At 11.15 ahead full speed. Out fore sail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle to light breeze from SW. Dense fog, moderate sea.


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze from SW & W’d and foggy. Sea smooth.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light variable airs and calm with dense fog. Sea smooth. At 7.0 stopped and sounded in 66 fathoms. At 8 full ahead.


8pm to midnight:

Light airs from NNE and foggy. Sea smooth. At 8.05 in all sail. Stopped and sounded every hour during watch at 66, 63, 64 and 64 fathoms.


Sick list: Thomas De Sozie, Seaman. Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster


THE VOYAGES OF USRC THOMAS CORWIN
Operations in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea

JP map USRC THOMAS CORWIN Bering and Chukchi Seas

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26 May 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 62.12, Long -175.90


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from NE and dense fog. Sea smooth. Stopped and sounded every hour, getting bottom in 65, 65, 65 & 60 fathoms. Steaming under one bell.


4am to 8am:

Light to gentle breeze from NE and dense fog. Sea smooth. At 5 & 6 sounded in 60 fathoms. At 7 fog lifting some. Ahead at full speed. Made all fore and aft sail and topsail.


8am to meridian:

Light NE wind and dense fog. Moderate westerly swell. At 9 in topsail. At ll.30 entered drift ice and changed course to NW by N.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light to gentle breeze from N’d & E’d and foggy. Sea smooth. Working vessel to bell through heavy drift ice.


4pm to 6pm:

Gentle to moderate breeze from N’d and E’d and overcast. Sea smooth. Working vessel to bell through heavy drift ice.


6pm to 8 pm:

Fresh breeze from N’d and E’d, overcast with snow. Sea smooth. At 6 got clear of the ice, hauled up to NW and sounded in 54 fathoms.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh breeze from NW and overcast with blinding snow storm. At 8 in all sail. Sea moderate. Midnight, wind moderating.


Sick list: Thomas De Sozie, Seaman. Albert Krenzler, Quartermaster


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27 May 1881

Behrings sea

Lat 63.53, Long -175.50


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from N by W, overcast with light snow. Sea moderate. Squally during last hour of watch.


4am to 8am:

Strong breeze from NW by W with snow squalls. Latter part clearing. Moderate sea. At 5 kept off NNE and made all fore and aft sails except flying jib and gaff topsail.


8am to meridian:

Strong breeze from N’d and W’d and squally. Sea rough. At 9 changed course NE.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong breeze from N’d & W’d and partly clear. Rough sea. At 1 course ENE. Set topsail and flying jib. At 1.50 stopped & uncoupled engine, set fore sail. At 3.30 set gaff topsail.


4pm to 6pm:

Fresh to moderate breeze from NW and partly clear. Sea moderate. At 4.35 coupled engines & proceeded under steam and all sail.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light breeze from NNW. and partly clear. Sea smooth. At 6.15 hauled up fore sail.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from N’d and clear. Moderate sea. At 10 sighted ice pack to S’d and E’d. Took in topsail. At 11.15 made ice ahead, in all sail and hauled to NNE along edge of pack.


Sick list: Thomas De Sozie, Seaman, Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster


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28 May 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 63.83, Long -171.62


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate breeze from N’d and clear weather. Sea moderate. Ice making around decks. Steaming to N’d and E’d along the edge of ice pack. At 2 sighted SW Cape St Lawrence Island, bearing East, distant 12 miles. At 4 NW cape bore NE by N, distant about 7 miles.


4am to 8am:

Moderate breeze from N’d and partly clear. At 6.47 anchored of NW Cape in 8 fathoms. Banked fires. A number of Indians came on board.


8am to meridian:

Gentle breeze from N’d and W’d and partly clear. Sea smooth. A number of Indians on board.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from SW and cloudy. Sea smooth. At 12.20 Indians left the vessel. Got under way and shaped course for Plover Bay. At 3.50 changed course to W by N ½ N.


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze from S’d and W’d and partly clear. At 5 entered drift ice working ship to bell through the drift ice. A bark in sight inshore of us.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light airs from S’d and W’d and partly clear. At 6.30 stopped. Commanding Officer visited bark RAINBOW and delivered to mail for the whaler. At 7.05 ahead towards Plover Bay.


8pm to midnight:

Light airs to light breeze from S’d. Being unable to get into Plover Bay on account of the ice, at 8.25 anchored in Marcus Bay. Commanding Officer visited the settlement for the purpose of securing dogs, sledges and interpreter. At 10 Commanding Officer returned onboard with six dogs, sledge and driver who is to act as interpreter. At 10.50 got underway and stood to the E’d through drift ice.


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29 May 1881

Behring's Sea [and St Lawrence Bay]

Lat 65.42, Long -170.93


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate southerly wind, overcast and foggy. Smooth sea. At 2 changed course N by E. At 3.30 fog shutting in thick, slowed engine and ran under one bell to end of watch. At 4 sighted ice ahead, stopped engine.


4am to 8am:

Moderate to fresh southeasterly wind; overcast with occasional snow. Sea smooth. At 5.10 steamed ahead outside quantities of drift ice. 7.20 set topsail and foresail.


8am to meridian:

Strong breeze from S’d. Sky overcast, light snow. Sea smooth. At 11.55 hauled up fore sail. Set jib.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong breeze to moderate gale from S’d and cloudy. First part snow squalls. Sea smooth. Steering various courses in St Lawrence Bay. At 12.40 took in topsail. At 1.30 in jib. At 2.12 anchored in St Lawrence Bay. Commanding Officer left the vessel to procure dogs and sledges. At 3 Commanding Officer returned having failed to procure dogs and sledges.


4pm to 6pm:

Moderate to strong breeze and squally from S’d, overcast, gloomy weather. Quantities of drift ice passing the vessel. Weather the same as previous watch. Indians on board.


6pm to 8 pm:

Weather same as previous watch. Quantities of drift ice passing the vessel. A number of Indians on board.


8pm to midnight:

Strong breeze from the S’d. Sky overcast, squally and rainy. At 9.05 got underway and stood to the E’d

At 10.20 Cape Krleougoune bore SW ½ W, distant 9 miles. At 10.30 set fore trysail and jib. At 11.40 in try sail, set fore stay sail. Sea rough.


Sick list: Thomas De Sozie, Seaman, returned to duty; Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster


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30 May 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 65.75, Long -169.05


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with fresh breeze from S’d to SSE and cloudy with frequent squalls of wind and rain. At midnight changed course to NE ½ N. At 3.45 hauled down fore staysail. At 3.50 made land ahead.


4am to 8am:

Strong breeze from S’d and E’d and squally, thick storm of snow and sleet. Smooth sea. At 4.10 slowed engine and entered drift ice, working to westward of Ratmanof [Big Diomede or Ratmanov, also spelled Ratmanoff in this log] Island. At 4.30 stood to E’d. At 6.10 anchored of settlement on SE end of Island, but heavy ice coming down, at 6.30 shifted anchorage to W’d and anchored. A number of natives came alongside.


8am to meridian:

Strong breeze from S’d and cloudy with occasional snow. Quantities of drift ice passing the vessel. Natives on board.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong breeze from S’d and overcast. At 2.40 Indians left the vessel. Got underway and stood around the Island.


4pm to 6pm:

Moderate breeze from the S’d and E’d and overcast. At 4.10 anchored off Indian village, Krusenstern Island in 10 fathoms. A number of Indians came on board. Secured 14 dogs from Indians at Ratmanof Island, gave in payment 14 bags of flour (700lbs), 2 sledges from Indians at Ratmanof Island, gave in payment two bags of flour (100lbs), and 5 dogs from Indians at Krusenstern Island, gave in payment 5 bags flour (250lbs).


6pm to 8 pm:

Gentle southerly breeze and cloudy. Smooth sea. At 6 got under way and stood to the N’d and W’d through quantities of drift ice. At 8pm west end of Ratmanof Island bore SSE, distant 8 miles, shaped course WNW.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from S’d and cloudy, latter part snowing. Sea smooth. At 11 sighted bark inshore of us. Set topsail, fore trysail, jib, flying jib and fore and main staysails. At midnight East Cape bore SSE, distant 9 miles.


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31 May 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 67.28, Long -171.75


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle breeze from S’d and cloudy. Smooth sea. At 3.30 in all sail, stopped. Commanding Officer went on board Bark HELEN MAR [Sailing bark HELEN MAR was launched 1837. Subsequently sunk in collision with ice in 1892]. At 3.55 Commanding Officer returned. At 4 steamed ahead on course. Log line, becoming foul of propeller lost patent log.


4am to 8am:

Light breeze from S’d and partly clear. Sea smooth. At 4 set jibs and square sails. At 7 in fore sail. From 6am to end of watch steering various courses to the W’d and N’d through heavy drift ice.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from N’d & E’d. Sky overcast and misty. Sea smooth. At 9.15 in all sails. Working to the W’d through drift ice. At 11.45 hauled in the SW towards the land.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from S’d & E’d and light snow. Steaming through drift ice. At 2.30 sighted land ahead, stopped and sounded in 24 fathoms. At 3 course SW. At 3.45 stopped and sounded in 14 fathoms. At 3.10 Cape Serdze bore SE distant 12 miles. At 4 slowed engine. Watch employed getting sledges in order etc.


4pm to 6pm:

Light airs from SE, sky overcast. At 4.07 stopped engine off Indian village. At 4.10 Commanding Officer left the vessel to visit Indian village.


6pm to 8 pm:

Light airs from SE and cloudy with light rain. Vessel laying off and on. At 7.45 Commanding Officer returned on board having bought one sledge giving in payment 10 yards calico, one axe & one knife.


8pm to midnight:

Light airs from SE, overcast with light rain. Lying off Indian settlement. A number of Indians came on board. Secured the services of an Indian for dog driving, guide and interpreter. At 9.20 steamed ahead to the W’d along the edge of the ice. Sounded frequently during the watch.


Sick list: Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster.



LOGS FOR JUNE 1881


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[Note. Log is in a new, more difficult hand from this page]

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1 June 1881

Arctic ocean

Lat 67.95, Long -175.17


Midnight to 4am:

Light airs from N’d and cloudy. At 3.30 commenced snowing. Sounded frequently. Steaming along edge of the ice, land in sight along port beam.


4am to 8am:

Light airs from N’d. Moderate snowing. Standing along edge of ice pack, sounding every hour.


8am to meridian:

Light airs to moderate breeze from WNW. Overcast with snow storms. Sounded frequently during the watch, steering various courses along edge of the ice.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate NW wind & overcast with snow. Latter part clearing some. At 5.40 reached western edge of ice, followed it along to N’d and E’d.


4pm to 6pm:

Moderate breeze from Westward. Overcast with snow. Standing to N’d along edge of ice.


6pm to 8 pm:

Wind & weather from the same as previous watch. Standing along edge of ice pack to the E’d


8pm to midnight:

Moderate breeze from the E’d and N’d and overcast with snow. At 8.10 made all fore and aft sail except fore trysail. At 8.45 stopped engines and proceeded under sail. Working to S’d and E’d through heavy drift ice.


Sick list: Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster.


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2 June 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 67.65, Long -174.90


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate NNW wind, overcast with snow. Standing to S’d & E’d through the ice under mainsail and jib. At 12:35 whilst working engine to clear ice away, ice fouled rudder carrying it away, breaking pintals and broke rudder post completely off close above upper pintal. Got rudder inboard, set about rigging jury rudder. Works vessel under jib & topsail through heavy drift ice.


4am to 8am:

Fresh to strong breeze with thick snow storm. Working vessel through drift ice with jib, topsail. Constructed a jury rudder of two stunsail booms & two swinging booms crossed with pieces of oak plank, all secured together with stout cross lashings. Weighted the lower edge with 600 lbs kentledge, fitted it with 4 guys, two at each side, got it overboard, passed the forward guys through the quarter chocks and secured them; lashed topgallant yard & strong back of waist boat davits across taffrail hawser ring leading blocks on outer ends; rove the after guys through them & led them forward to steam windlass. At 7.25 in all sail. Steamed ahead to get through heavy drift ice, the rudder steering vessel as well as could be expected under the circumstances.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from NNW with snow storms. Standing to S’d and E’d through drift ice. Carpenter employed surfacing rudder post.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate breeze from S’d with snow. At 1 sighted Kolutchin [Kolyuchin] Island. At 2, the island bearing SW distant 4 miles, stopped & landed on the ice 1st Lieutenant ~J Herring and 3rd Lieutenant WE Reynolds, Cox Jules, two Indians, 20 dogs & 3 sledges, 1 skin boat, and the following articles: 1 barometer, 1 boat compass, 1 lead & line, 1 tent, 2 rubber blankets, 1 hatchet, ½ dozen sail needles, 15 yards cotton canvas, 1 chart, 1 measuring glass, 1 oil stove & furniture, 5 skin coats, 3 pairs skin pants, 5 pairs skin boots, 10 lbs plug tobacco, 10 lbs leaf tobacco, 145 lbs bread, 10 lbs coffee, 50 lbs potatoes. At the point where the party landed found three Indians with dogs & sledges who came from the settlement on the island.

[Note. This text completely fills the page. Text for the rest of the day does not appear to be available.]


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3 June 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 66.70, Long -170.77


Midnight to 4am

Moderate northerly wind. Overcast with light snow. Standing to E’d through quantities of drift ice.


4am to 8am

Light northerly wind, overcast with snow. Steaming through drift ice.


8am to meridian

Light breeze from N’d. Overcast with snow. At 8.30 Cape Serdze bore SSW, distant 8 miles. Shaped course SE by E ½E


Meridian to 4pm

Light breeze from N’d. Overcast, snow, first part of watch, latter part cloudy. At 2 took in jib, flying jib. Carpenter repairing rudder.


4pm to 8pm:

Calm, cloudy. At 4.35 stopped and spoke to whaling bark HELEN MAR of New Bedford. At 4.45 started ahead. At 6pm course SE. At 7.45 stopped engines to set up guys to rudder.


8pm to midnight:

Calm, cloudy. At 8.45 made ice ahead. Stood to the S’d. At 9.10 stopped, sounded in 25 fathoms. Vessel drifting to N’d & W’d during remainder of watch.


Sick list: Albert Kranzler. Quartermaster. Thomas Hollahan, Boatswain


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4 June 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 66.12, Long -169.28


Midnight to 4am:

Calm, overcast & misty. Vessel drifting to N’d & W’d at ½ knot per hour


4am to 8am:

Calm & foggy. Vessel drifting to N’d ½ knot per hour. Crew employed cleaning paintwork. Disrated Lawrence Carey 1st class Boy to 2nd class Boy for general worthlessness.


8am to meridian:

Calm, foggy. 9.48 steamed ahead to S’d, fog lifting, some ice in sight along port beam. All hands employed cleaning ship.


Meridian to 4pm:

Calm & overcast. A number of Indians from East Cape came on board. At 3 East Cape bore N ½ W distant about 8 miles. Shaped course S by W. Gave afternoon to crew to make and mend clothes.


4 to 8pm:

Calm & cloudy. Course S’ly. At 7.35 Cape Krleougoune bore WNW, distant about 20 miles.


8 to Midnight:

Light to moderate North wind, overcast. At 10 made ice ahead. Stood in to S’d & W’d. At 11pm, unable to find clear water between ice pack & shore, stood back to the E’d.


Sick list: Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster


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5 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 65.58, Long -170.75


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from S’d & E’d. Cloudy. At 1.40 made ice ahead along starboard beam. Stood to N’d and W’d. At 2.45 made land on port bow.


4am to 8am:

Fresh breeze from NW, cloudy weather, cold. Standing in for the land. At 6.05 passed South Head. At 7.30 anchored North side of St Lawrence Bay.


8am to meridian:

Fresh to strong breeze from NW & cloudy. A number of Indians on board.


Meridian to 4pm

Strong breeze to moderate gale from N’d. Overcast & squally. A number of natives on board.


4pm to 8pm:

Strong breeze to moderate gale from N’d. Overcast & squally. At 6.15 whaling bark FRANCIS PALMER came into bay [FRANCIS PALMER was a 303 ton whaling bark, built in Maine in 1857].


8pm to midnight

Moderate gale from N’d, overcast & squally. Natives still on board.


Sick list: Thomas Hollahan, Boatswain; Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster.


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6 June 1881

St Lawrence Bay

Lat 65.58, Long -170.75


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate gale from NW. Heavy squalls.

At 3 during heavy squall started to drag. Let go port anchor.


4am to 8am:

Fresh gale from N’d, overcast with snow & sleet. A number of natives on board.


8am to meridian:

Weather same as previous watch. A number of natives on board.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh gale to strong breeze from NW, squally with rain hail, snow, sleet. At 3 hove up port anchor.


4pm to 8pm:

Strong breeze from N’d & squally with rain hail & snow.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh to gentle breeze from N’d, overcast with the occasional snow squalls. At 9 Indians left the vessel


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7 June 1881

St Lawrence Bay

Lat 64.79, Long -171.58


Midnight to 4am:

Weather calm & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

Light airs from NW & overcast, latter part foggy. At 4.30 got underway & stood south. At 7 slowed engine.


8am to meridian:

Light southerly airs & dense fog. At 9.35 ahead full speed.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from S’d, cloudy. At 1pm made ice ahead. Stood to S’d & E’d.


4pm to 8pm:

Calm & cloudy. Standing to S’d. Ice in sight along starboard beam.


8pm to midnight:

Light southerly airs & cloudy. At 8 came SW ¼ W for NW Cape, St Lawrence Island. At 11.07 slowed engine and entered field of drift ice off the cape.


Sick list: Thomas Hollahan, Boatswain; Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster


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8 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 63.70, Long -171.30

Midnight to 4am:

Light to moderate breeze from S’d & W’d, foggy, latter part misty. At 2.35 anchored off NW Cape, St Lawrence Island.


4am to 8am:

Moderate breeze from S’d to W’d & foggy. Quantities of drift ice passing the vessel.


8am to meridian:

Moderate SE wind & foggy.

At 10.25 got underway, stood to the E’d. At 11.25 broke gearing to steam windlass.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from SE. First part foggy, latter part cloudy. At 1.10 put vessel about. Unable to proceed further to the E’d on account of ice. At 2.06 anchored off NW end St Lawrence Island.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from SE & cloudy.


8pm to midnight:

Way under lights. SE wind, overcast & snow.


Sick list: Thomas Hollahan Boatswain; Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster


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9 June 1881

NW End St Lawrence Island

Lat 63.79, Long -171.72


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate SE wind & foggy.


4am to 8am:

Fresh SE wind, overcast. Light snow. Drift ice passing the vessel.


8am to meridian:

Moderate to light south wind, overcast, light snow. Engineer’s Department made repairs to steam windlass.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from S’d, overcast & snow. At 3.25 heavy drift ice coming down on vessel, got underway & stood into shore for better harbor. At 3.40 anchored.


4pm to 8pm:

Light southerly breeze, light snow. Quantities of drift ice passing vessel.


8pm to midnight

Day ends with light breeze from S’d, overcast, light snow.


Sick list: Thomas Hollahan Boatswain; Albert Kranzler, Quartermaster


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10 June 1881

At anchor, St Lawrence Island

Lat 63.67, Long -171.33


Midnight to 4am:

Calm, overcast & foggy. At 3.55am heavy ice coming down on vessel, got underway & worked vessel through it.


4am to 8am:

Light variable airs, dense fog & snow. Working vessel to bell through drift ice. Broke one of the swinging booms in jury rudder. At 7.15 stopped to secure ballast of jury rudder, it having got adrift.


8am to meridian:

Light airs from W’d & overcast. At 9.15 steamed head inshore. At 10.40 anchored outside of shore ice, outside of wreck of schooner LOLITA. Commanding Officer went inshore. Sent boats crew to wreck for the purpose of securing some material to repair ship’s rudder. Engineer's Department & carpenter employed fitting pintles [pintals in log] to rudder. Cut up boat’s anchor for middle pintle, made two others of two inch bar iron. Secured to rudder with ¼” iron straps & bolted this rudder fast.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light winds to light breeze from S’d & W’d. Overcast. At 1pm Commanding Officer return on board. Found the wreck of the schooner LOLITA thoroughly stripped of anything of any value, supposed to have been done by natives during the winter. Engineer's Department & carpenter employed as in previous watch. Moved coal & all stores to forward decks, to get vessel by the head to enable us to secure rudder in place.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from S’d & W’d & partly clear. Shipped rudder had hole cut in rudder below upper pintle. Passed a lashing of 1¾” wire through it & around sternpost bringing this under for securing on deck. Shipped & secured the tiller. Found the rudder to work satisfactorily.


8pm to midnight:

Weather the same as in the previous watch. At 9 boats crew returned from wreck. All hands employed in unrigging jury anchor, transferring coal from forward deck to quarterdeck.


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11 June 1881

St Lawrence Island

Lat 63.86, Long -171.73


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with light wind from S’d & clear weather, latter part calm.


4am to 8am:

Calm weather, clear, pleasant. Engineers securing jury rudder etc. to stunsail booms aloft. At 7.45 got underway & stood to W’d through drift ice.


8am to meridian:

Light airs to light breeze from S’d, partly clear. Worked vessel to bell until 10.10 when reached clear water. Shaped course W ¼ S. At meridian. At 10 St Lawrence Island bore S by E ¼ E, distant 5 miles.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from S’d. Cloudy. With St Lawrence Island to N’d. Gave afternoon to crew to make & mend clothing.


4pm to 8pm:

Light southerly wind dense fog & mist. Standing to N’d. Steering various course around fields of drift ice.


8pm to midnight:

Weather same as previous watch. Standing to N’d & E’d. At 9 sighted Cape Chukotka off starboard bow, distant 3 miles. Stood along channel through drift ice to Plover Bay. At 11 rounded spit. Found ice in harbor, noting it broken up. Ran ship up to edge of ice and made fast with kedge line.


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12 June 1881

Plover Bay

Lat 64.37, Long -173.34


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from N’d. Sky overcast


4am to 8am:

Light breeze from N’d, cloudy. Watch employed cutting passage through the ice.


8am to meridian.

Light to moderate breeze from N’d, overcast with snow. Watch employed carving out passage in the ice. Carpenter making sledge to carry coal. Got large kedge to ice. At 11.15 attempted to haul piece of ice out with the anchor, but unable to move it.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from N’d. Overcast, foggy with squalls. Crew endeavoring to start ice by blasting. Made three attempts; was finally successful.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from N’d with rain, fog & snow. At 4.10 got under way & endeavored to force way thro’ ice. At 4.30 unable to make any impression on it; steamed up the harbor & made fast to ice with kedge.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends, light northerly breeze, fog & snow.


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13 June 1881

Plover Bay

Lat 64.37, Long -173.34

Midnight to 4am:

Light airs from N’d, overcast


4am to 8am:

Light northerly wind, cloudy, with snow. Crew employed dragging sledges loaded with empty bags to coal pile. Carpenter employed making sledges.


8am to meridian:

Weather same as previous watch. Crew employed hauling coal on sledges from coal pile to ship. 10 natives employed aiding crew with sledges etc.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light northerly breeze. Overcast with snow. At 6pm stopped coaling for the day.


4pm to 8pm:

Light southerly breeze, overcast with snow. Whaling bark THOMAS POPE of New Bedford came into harbor making fast to the ice. [THOMAS POPE was a 210 ton bark subsequently wrecked in 1890].


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14 June 1881

Plover Bay

Lat 64.37, Long -173.34


Midnight to 4am:

Light to gentle breeze from S’d, overcast. Light snow.


4am to 8am:

Light southerly breeze, cloudy with light snow. At 5.30 commenced coaling.


8am to meridian:

Light SW wind & cloudy. All hands assisted by 10 natives employed sledding coal over the ice. Ship’s surgeon treated professionally three natives.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from the E’d, cloudy. Crew employed as in previous watch. Two natives and two dog teams assisting in coaling ship.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate breeze from E’d, overcast with snow. At 6.15 stopped coaling for the day.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh breeze from the N’d & E’d, overcast with rain & snow.


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15 June 1881

Plover Bay

Lat 64.37, Long -173.34


Midnight to 4am:

Strong breeze from NNE & squally.


4am to 8am:

Strong wind from NNE, cloudy with thick snow storms. At 5.30 commenced coaling.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from E’d, cloudy with rain & sleet. All hands employed sledging off coal.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong breeze from N’d. overcast with snow. At 1.30, ice becoming so soft that the crew were unable to haul the sledges, stopped coaling.


4pm to 8pm:

Light northerly wind, cloudy. At 7.30 ice in the harbor commenced breaking up.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from NNE, overcast with drizzling rain. At 8.30 got underway & took bark THOMAS POPE in tow and towed her clear of the ice. Vessels lying drifting in open water until 10.30 when it was decided best to work inshore through the ice. At 10.30 entered ice with the bark in tow. At 11.0 came into clear water. At 11.10 cast off from bark. At 11.30 anchored.


Sick list: Henry Fagen, Seaman


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16 June 1881

Plover Bay

Lat 64.37, Long -173.34


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle breeze from E’d, overcast, light rain.


4am to 8am:

Light easterly breeze & cloudy. Large quantities of drift ice about the vessel.


8am to meridian:

Light easterly airs & overcast. Vessel surrounded by drift ice. Crew employed cleaning ship, boating water and lashing swinging booms in place of topgallant yards and strong backs for steering gear.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from E’d & overcast. Got underway to pick up boats which had got fast in the ice. At 3.30 made fast at the stern of the bark THOMAS POPE. Hands employed watering ship.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather cool and cloudy. Gave the ten natives in payment for their services in assisting the crew hauling coal over the ice 100lbs pilot bread from ship's stores.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends calm, overcast & misty.


Sick list: Henry Fagen, Seaman


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17 June 1881

Plover Bay and at sea

Lat 64.12, Long -172.83


Midnight to 4am:

Light to gentle breeze from N’d, overcast.


4am to 8am:

Fresh breeze from N’d & partly clear. At 6am got tow line to bark THOMAS POPE. At 6.35 steamed down the harbor with bark in tow. At 7.35 outside the harbor found heavy ice between east & west heads. Put vessel about & slowed engines to await opening of ice.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from NE & partly clear. At 8.30 cast off from the bark & stood to E’d through the ice. Worked vessel to W’d until 11.30 when we got clear of ice. Shaped course E’d.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh to moderate breeze from NE, cloudy. At 1pm set jib, fore trysail, main sail & main staysail.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh breeze from NE, dense fog & mist. At 5 got in all sail. At 5.35 slowed engines. At 7.30 fog lifting, steamed ahead. Shaped course E by S.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate to light NE breeze & overcast. Rain & mist, latter part clear. At 10 land in sight, St Lawrence Island along starboard beam. Passed quantities of drift ice. Sounded hourly.


Sick list: Henry Fagen, returned to duty.


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18 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 63.69, Long -167.60


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle breeze from E’d, partly clear. At 1 Table Rock bore SSE, distant 9 miles. Sounded hourly.


4am to 8am:

Light easterly breeze & partly clear. Sounded hourly.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from ENE & cloudy. At 10.15 sighted land bearing North.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from NNE & partly clear. Aired bedding. Gave afternoon to crew to make and mend clothing.


4pm to 8pm:

Light ENE wind. Weather clear & pleasant. Passed quantities of drift wood.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from E’d, weather clear & pleasant. At midnight ice ahead


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19 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 63.47, Long -161.98


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from E’d, partly clear. Sounded hourly. Patches of drift ice on port bow.


4am to 8am:

Light wind from E’d, weather clear & pleasant. At 7am north end of Stuart Island bore abeam, distant 4 miles. Changed course to E by S.


8am to meridian:

Weather same as previous watch. Steaming up Norton Sound. At 9.05 anchored off St Michael. Fired two guns in response to salute from shore. At 10.15 loosed all sail. Blew water out of boiler. Hauled fires. Agent of AC Co & Mr. Nelson, Signal Service, visited the vessel. Sent an officer, boatswain and sea boats crew to search Schr FLYING MIST of San Francisco.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light southerly breeze, weather clear & pleasant. Commanding Officer visited parts of the AC Co & the Western Fur and Trading Co officially. At 3.30 furled sail. A number of Indians on board.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather same as previous watch. At 6.45 officer, boatswain and sea boats crew returned on board.


8pm to midnight:

Day closed with light southerly breeze & clear weather.


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20 June 1881

St Michael, Norton Sound

Lat 63.47, Long -161.98

Midnight to 4am:

Light southerly wind & clear.


4am to 8am:

Light airs from S’d. Clear & pleasant.


8am to meridian:

Weather same as in previous watch. Engineer’s Department cleaning & inspecting boiler. Crew employed painting quarter boat, cleaning guns & other jobs of ship's duty. Carpenter employed on steam cutter.


Meridian to 4pm:

Weather calm, clear & pleasant. Engineer's Department & carpenter employed as in previous watch. Crew employed repairing ratline, fitting guys to ice breaker, loading shell & painting boat. Fitted an outside steering gear to rudder by lashing the swinging boom on each quarter with leading blocks on outer end. Rove the wheel ropes through them & secured them to tiller, then forward to pilot house. A large number of Indians from Fort Yukon visited the vessel.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather calm & clear.


8pm to midnight.

Weather calm & clear. At 9.30 all Indians left the vessel.


Sick list: 3rd Lieutenant O Meyrick, off duty


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21 June 1881

St Michael, Norton Sound

Lat 63.47, Long -161.98


Midnight to 4am:

Clear & calm.


4am to 8am:

Calm & clear, scrubbed hammocks.


8am to meridian:

Weather same as in previous watch. Employed cleaning ship. Pumped boiler up.


Meridian to 4pm:

Calm, clear & pleasant. AC Co’s schooner ST PAUL came into the harbor. At 4 started fire under boiler. Sent boat for fresh water. Received from AC Co 85 yards drilling. Shipped Peter Nicolaus 1st class Boy as interpreter.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate breeze from SW. Clear. At 6.10 Mr. Nelson came on board for passage. At 6.15 got underway & stood across the harbor to pick up water boats. Reported unable to get water. At 7.15 steamed ahead & down the harbor.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle to light breeze from S’d. Clear. At 8 crossed to N by W. At 10 north end of Stuart Island bore abeam. Shaped course W by S ¼ S.


Sick list: 3rd Lieutenant O Meyrick, off duty


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22 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 63.89, Long -165.34


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from W’d, clear & pleasant. Sounded frequently during the watch.


4am to 8am:

Light breeze to light airs from W’d & clear weather. Ice in sight to W’d.


8am to meridian:

Light to moderate westerly wind & clear.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light westerly breeze & clear. Employed painting quarter boat etc. Carpenter employed on steam cutter.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle breeze from W’d & clear.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from W’d clear. Haze along the horizon. At midnight wind freshening.


Sick list: 3rd Lieutenant O Meyrick, off duty


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23 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 64.07, Long -171.02 [Latitude 63°04'N in log-book]


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate to strong breeze from NNW & partly clear.


4am to 8am:

Fresh breeze from the N’d & partly clear. At 6 changed course to W by S.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze to fresh gale from N’d. Clear with haze on the horizon. Set all fore & aft sail except gaff topsail. At 10.20 weather guy of flying jib boom parted, boom breaking off at the cap. Stopped 15 minutes to get wreck inboard. Rove topgallant stay through leading block at bowsprit end & hauled it taut.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh gale from NW, clear with haze on the horizon. At 1 set fore topsail. At 2.45 in all sail. At 3.10 anchored off the west side of NW Cape, St Lawrence Island.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather same as in previous watch. 3rd Lieutenant O W Meyrick returned to duty.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with fresh gale from NW, weather clear & cold.


Sick list: Frank Brown, Seaman


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24 June 1881

NW Cape, St Lawrence Island

Lat 63.32, Long -171.51


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with strong breeze from N’d & partly clear, moderate sea.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as in previous watch. At 4.25 got under way & stood along shore to S’d & W’d. At 5.15 set topsail & jib. At 7.25 in topsail & jib.


8am to meridian:

Moderate to fresh northerly gale, weather clear. Standing along the land to S’d & E’d. At 9 hauled in for anchorage. At 9.50 anchored. Crew variously employed.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate gale from N’d & partly clear. Painted steam cutter outside.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh northerly gale & partly clear. At 5 got underway & stood along the land to E’d.


8pm to midnight:

Strong northerly wind & partly clear. At 8 anchored off Indian village. A number of Indians came off to the ship. Commanding Officer visited the shore. At 9.45 returned on board.


Sick list: Frank Brown, Seaman


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25 June 1881

SW End, St Lawrence Island

Lat 63.36, Long -171.28


Midnight to 4am:

Strong breeze from N’d & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

Fresh breeze from N’d and cloudy.


8am to meridian:

Strong breeze to fresh gale from N’d & cloudy. At 9.30 went to shore to settlement. At 11.30 returned on board. Carpenter building shell rack.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh gale to fresh breeze from N’d. Partly clear. At 2.30 while getting underway, the native taken on board at St Lawrence Bay jumped overboard. Got boat down and rescued him. Upon stripping him it was found that he had stabbed himself in the left breast before jumping overboard. Evidently an attempt to commit suicide. Ship's surgeon rendered necessary medical assistance and made native as comfortable as possible.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh to light northerly wind & partly clear. At 4 course WNW. At 5 Cape Sanachno bore NNE, 1½ miles. At 8 course W by N ½ N.


8pm to midnight:

Light NW winds & cloudy.


Sick list: Frank Brown, Seaman.


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26 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 64.37, Long -173.34


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from N’d & partly clear. Standing in for Plover Bay.


4am to 8am:

Calm & partly clear. At 4.39 anchored in 9 fathoms near coal piles belonging to Russian government. At 5.40 commenced boating off coal.


8am to meridian:

Light SE airs & partly clear. All hands employed boating off coal. Ten natives assisting crew coaling.


Meridian to 4pm:

Weather same as previous watch. All hands employed boating off coal.


4pm to 8pm:

Light SE airs. Weather clear & pleasant. At 6.30 finished coaling having received 54 tons & 700 lbs. Paid natives for services in coaling by giving them the following articles: 40 yards calico, 1 lb powder, one box caps, 4 lbs rice, 1 gallon molasses. At 6.35 got underway & stood out of bay. Indian taken on board at St Lawrence Bay left the vessel.


8pm to midnight:

Light NE breeze & clear weather. Standing to the E’d along shore. Latter part of watch passed through quantities of drift ice.


Sick list: Frank Brown, Seaman.


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27 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 65.49, Long -171.17


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from N’d & clear. At 12.10 Indian Point bore N ¼ W, distant 4 miles, shaped course NNE.


4am to 8am:

Light northerly wind & clear. At 4 changed course to N by W ½ W


8am to meridian:

Light Easterly wind & clear. At 12 anchored of Indian village at South Head. Carpenter making new flying jib boom.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from E’d & clear. At 1 got underway & stood along the land the W’d. At 4 came to off Indian settlement. A number of them came off to the ship.


4pm to 8pm:

Light easterly airs & fine clear weather. At 7 Indians left the vessel. Got underway & stood along shore to the E’d.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from E’d & partly clear. At 9 stopped & landed Indians at South Head. At 9.20 ahead again. At 10.30 Cape Krleougoune bearing W by N, distant 6 miles. At 10.45 thick fog shutting in, slowed engines. At 11.20, fog lifting, ahead full speed.


Sick list: Frank Brown, Seaman, returned to duty


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28 June 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 65.92, Long -169.17


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from N’d, overcast with fog.


4am to 8am:

Moderate northerly wind, cloudy. Heavy mist. At 4 course E by N. At 6.30 sighted Ratmanof Island. At 7.30 anchored off Indian village.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from NW, cloudy & misty. At 9.15 Bo'sun & three men left vessel with cutter & supplies for 15 days, gun and ammunition, apparatus for sounding & ascertaining current. Set buoy with stream anchor for their use. At 9.45 buoy having run under caused by heavy tide, sent spar, rope & piece of Kentledge on shore to construct new buoy. At 10.30 steamed ahead, course NW by W.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate breeze from NW. Cloudy, & misty. At 3.28, East Cape bearing S by E ½ E, distant 6 miles. Changed course to NW x W ½ W. Carpenter employed making new flying jib boom.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather same as in previous watch.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate NW wind, cloudy & misty.


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29 June 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 67.05, Long -172.89 [Est]


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate breeze from NW and partly clear with mist & snow.


4am to 8am:

Moderate northerly wind & partly clear with snow & mist.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from N’d & W’d and cloudy with snow & mist. At 8.30 anchored outside ice opposite Indian village, Tapkan. At 11 saw flag signals on shore but was unable to read them. At 11.30 got underway & stood to the N’d along the ice. Rigged out & lashed flying jib boom in place.


Meridian to 4pm:

Weather same as in previous watch. At 1.25 sent boat to edge of ice for the purpose of picking up Lieutenant Herring and party who were coming over the ice from shore. At 2.45 Lieutenant Herring and party arrived on board; being unable to transport dogs, sledge, tent and some provisions over the ice, left them in charge of native at the settlement of Tapkan. Lieutenant Herring obtained from natives the following articles, taken from the bark VIGILANT [VIGILANT was a bark of 282 tons, built in 1852 in Mattapoisett MA] which had drifted ashore near Cape Onman some time last fall, one whale iron, two table knifes, spectacles and case, and one marine glass.


4pm to 8pm:

Strong northerly wind and cloudy with occasional snow. At 4.45 got underway & stood to the N’d and E’d. at 5.40 stopped 10 minutes to put new leading block to wheel ropes. At 6 set topsail, fore trysail, jib, fore & main staysails. At 8 set fore sail, reefed.


8pm to midnight.

Strong northerly wind & cloudy with snow. At 9.30 Cape Serdze abeam, distant 3 miles, shaped course SE by E ¾ E.


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30 June 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 66.03, Long -169.62


Midnight to 4am:

Strong breeze from the N’d and cloudy. At 3.30 in fore staysail.


4am to 8am:

Fresh gale from NNW, cloudy & misty, latter part, weather clearing. At 7am East Cape abeam, one mile distant. In all sail, stood to the S’d into Behring Strait. At 7.45 anchored under the land on the east side of the Cape.


8am to meridian:

Fresh gale from NW and partly clear, heavy squalls. Crew employed setting up topgallant & flying jib stays, bent flying jib


Meridian to 4pm:

Weather same as previous watch.


4pm to 6pm

Weather same as previous watch.


6pm to 8pm:

Fresh gale from N’d and passing clouds, frequent violent squalls.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends fresh gale from N’d and passing clouds.


Sick list: Frank A. Dougherty, Seaman



LOGS FOR JULY 1881


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1 July 1881

East Cape

Lat 66.03, Long -169.68


Midnight to 4am:

Came in with fresh gale from N’d squally and passing clouds. Vessel dragging frequently during the watch.


4am to 8am:

Moderate gale from N’d with heavy squalls, weather clear. At 6.05 got underway and steamed near the shore. At 7.05 anchored. A number of natives on board.


8am to meridian:

Strong breeze from N’d and partly clear. A number of natives on board.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong to fresh breeze from N’d and partly clear. At 1.55 Indians left vessel, got underway & stood SE by E for Diomede Islands. Made all sail except fore staysail & gaff topsail. Indian taken on board at Tapkan as dog driver etc. left the vessel.


4pm to 6pm:

Fresh breeze from N’d and cloudy. At 5 in all sail & stopped off Indian village, Ratmanof Island. Boatswain and party came off with surf boat etc., weather having been so unfavorable, had been unable to accomplish any satisfactory results. At 6 got underway & steered to the S’d & W’d.


6pm to 8pm:

Moderate breeze from N’d & cloudy. Made all sail except mainsail & gaff topsail.


8pm to midnight:

Light northerly wind & dense fog. At 9pm in all sail. At 11pm calm weather. Gave native (employed as dog driver etc.) the following articles in payment for services: one musket, 2½ lbs powder, 6 boxes caps, 1 lb tobacco


Sick list: Frank Dougherty, Seaman


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2 July 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 64.38, Long -172.13


Midnight to 4am:

Light airs from the W’d and clear weather.

4am to 8am:

Light westerly airs & passing clouds. At 7.30 hauled in SSW.


8am to meridian:

Calm & partly clear. At meridian slowed engine.


Meridian to 4pm:

Weather calm & partly clear. At 1pm stopped abreast of Cape Tchaplin to communicate with the Indians. A large number of Indians came off to the ship. At 3.05 steamed ahead to the S’d & W’d.


4pm to 6pm:

Light airs to light breeze from S’d & W’d and passing clouds. At 4.25 stopped five minutes to allow canoe to come alongside.


6pm to 8pm:

Moderate to gentle breeze from SW & clear weather. At 6.40 stopped at Marcus Bay & landed native Joe. Gave him articles in payment for his services and for six dogs and one sledge: 10 boxes caps, 1 knife, 5 sacks flour, 6 lbs tobacco, 1 musket, 5 lbs powder, 1 bag shot, 12 yards calico and 1 hatchet, 250 lbs flour, 78 lbs bread, 5 gallons molasses (ship's store). At 7 steamed ahead, course E ¼ S, made all sail.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from S’d & W’d and partly clear.


Sick list: Frank Dougherty, Seaman.


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3 July 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 63.75, Long -171.34 [Est]


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from SW, weather clear & pleasant. At 12.07 changed course to SE by S. Took in topsail & foresail. At 3.15 in all sail.


4am to 8am:

Gentle moderate breeze from SW & clear weather. At 4.20 anchored off Indian village on N side of St Lawrence Island. At 6.10 got underway & steamed along the land to eastward. At 7.50 anchored.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from SE & clear. Captain ashore at village with cutter & dingey [dinghy]. At 11.15 Captain returned, hoisted boats & got underway. Stood ENE, made topsail, foresail, mainsail, flying jib, main staysail & gaff topsail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from ESE. Sky partly clear. At 12.20 in foresail, set jib.


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze from S’d & E’d and clear weather. At 4.20 set fore trysail & fore staysail.


6pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from SSE & clear weather. At 7.15 made foresail.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle to moderate SW wind and dense fog. At midnight took in foresail.


Sick list: Frank Dougherty, Seaman.


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4 July 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 63.70, Long -162.60 [Est]


Midnight to 4am: Moderate breeze from SE. Sky overcast. At 1 stopped & sounded. Set foresail & hauled down fore staysail.


4am to 8am:

Moderate breeze from SW & cloudy.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from SE & cloudy, drizzling rain during first part. At 9.25 stood E ½ S. At 10 stood E by N ¾ N.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light variable winds & cloudy. Standing up Norton Sound. At 12.30 in foresail & topsail. At 2 in all sail. At 3 anchored in St Michael harbor. Fired four guns in salute.


4pm to 6pm:

Weather as in previous watch.


6pm to 8pm:

Light NNE wind and cloudy.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light gentle breeze from NNE & cloudy.


Sick list: Frank Dougherty, Seaman, returned to duty

Frank Enos, Seaman.


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5 July 1881

St Michael

Lat 63.47, Long -161.98


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from NE & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

Light breeze from NE & partly clear.


8am to meridian:

Gentle to moderate breeze from NE & partly clear. Engineer's Department overhauling machinery. Crew employed boating off water etc.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh to moderate breeze from NNE & partly clear. Crew employed as previous watch. Ship’s surgeon went ashore to treat professionally some Indians. Rove new wheel ropes. Set up head stays. Discharged Peter Nicholas – 1st class Boy.


4pm to 6pm:

Moderate breeze from NNE & cloudy. MF & T Co’s [McCollam Fishing & Trading Company] schooner CZAR came into the harbor [ Czar was a 140 ton fishing schooner].

6pm to 8pm:

Weather same as previous watch.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with moderate breeze from ENE, cloudy with light rain.


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman


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6 July 1881

St Michael

Lat 63.47, Long -161.98


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate to strong breeze from ENE, overcast and constant rain.


4am to 8am:

Fresh to moderate breeze from N’d & E’d, overcast and rainy. Latter part weather clear.


8am to meridian

Moderate breeze from ENE and overcast. Engineer's Department overhauling machinery. Crew variously employed during the watch.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light easterly wind & partly clear. Employed boating off water.


4pm to 6pm:

Weather same as in previous watch. Crew boating water and at other duties.


6pm to 8pm:

Light easterly wind & partly clear.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light ENE winds & partly clear.


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman


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7 July 1881

St Michael

Lat 63.47, Long -161.98


Midnight to 4am:

Light airs from the NE & pleasant weather


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch. Crew employed bagging coal.


8am to meridian:

Light to moderate NE wind & partly clear. Employed boating off coal.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle to light breeze from NNE & partly clear. Employed boating off stores & coal.


4pm to 6pm:

Light breeze from NNE & partly clear. Employed boating off & stowing stores.


6pm to 8pm:

Weather same as previous watch.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light NNE wind & cloudy.


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman


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8 July 1881

St Michael

Lat 63.47, Long -161.98


Midnight to 4am:

Calm & partly clear.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch, crew employed stowing stores.


8am to meridian:

Light airs from NE & cloudy. Employed boating off & stowing stores.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from NE & cloudy. Employed boating stores & coal.


Received from the AC Co the following articles of clothing and provisions as winter supplies in view of a possibility of being obliged to winter in the Arctic:

5 dozen cant flan [Canton flannel] undershirts and drawers, 2¼ dozen cant flan undershirts, 2 dozen cant flan drawers, 10/12 dozen undershirts, 5/12 dozen undershirts, 10 dozen men’s socks, 1 chinchilla caps, 2 dozen blanket lined coats, 3 dozen brown duck pants. 1 bag buckshot, 80 lbs navy tobacco, 5 bbls [barrels] beef, 120 (¼ bbl) sacks flour, 40½ boxes raisins, 20 chests tea, 4 firkins butter, 15 kegs island sugar, 5 kegs syrup, 1 case tomatoes, 3 cases green corn, 1 case string beans, 1 case green beans, 1 box candles, 10 cases oil, 10 cases roast beef, 5 cases roast mutton, 5 cases assorted meats, 2 cases selected oysters, 4 cases cherrystone oysters, 1 cask hams, 10 bbls beef, 3 bbls pork, 1½ bbls tongues, 25 mats rice, 3 cases roast beef, 1 case mutton, 2 cases soups, 3 cases apples, 5 bags dried apples, 1 keg pickled tripe & 3 boxes (142 lbs) twist tobacco. These stores were taken on board with the understanding that if they were not used, they could be returned to the Company without charge to the Government.


4pm to 6pm:

Weather calm & overcast. Employed boating off coal.


6pm to 8pm:

Weather calm & overcast.


8pm to midnight.

Day ends calm & overcast, light rain.


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman


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9 July 1881

St. Michael's

Lat 63.47, Long -161.98


Midnight to 4am:

Calm & cloudy with passing showers


4am to 8am:

Calm & partly clear. At 5.30am commenced coaling


8am to meridian:

Weather calm & partly clear. Employed boating off coal.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from the W’d & partly clear. At 1pm finished coaling having received 44 1640/2240 tons. At 1.25pm got underway & stood across the bay. At 1.48 anchored off MF & T Co’s station. Sent boats after fresh water.


4pm to 6pm:

Gentle breeze from NW, & partly clear. Employed boating water off.


6pm to 8pm:

Gentle breeze from NW weather clear & pleasant. Employed boating water off. 7.30pm finished watering having received 1200 gallons. 3rd Lieutenant GH Doty, and two Seamen left the vessel and went on board AC Co's steamer ST PAUL for passage to Seal Islands, with instructions to remain on Otter Island during the seal season. Shipped Andrew Ordinary Seaman as interpreter.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle to moderate breeze from SW & cloudy. At 8 got underway & stood out of the harbor. Fired a salute of two guns. At 8.45pm set all fore & aft sail except mainsail & gaff topsail. At 9 shaped course NW by N.


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman


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10 July 1881

Norton Sound

Lat 64.35, Long -163.08


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from SW, cloudy with passing showers.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch. At 5am took in flying jib. At 7.45am Cape Darby abeam, distant 1 mile. Employed cleaning ship.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from SW & cloudy. At 9.05 in all sail. At 9.30 anchored in Golovin Bay. At 10.45 sent an officer & boats crew to examine schooner lying in the inner harbor.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh SW wind & overcast


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh breeze from SW & cloudy. At 5.15 officer & boats crew returned having examined the Schooner WF MARCH of San Francisco, Gallagher master, from San Francisco.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with moderate breeze from SW, overcast & squally.


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman. Thomas Hollihan, Boatswain.


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11 July 1881

Golovin Bay

Lat 64.42, Long -164.03


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate breeze from SW, overcast & misty.


4am to 8am:

Gentle breeze from the W’d, overcast & misty with drizzling rain. At 7.45am got underway & stood out of the bay.


8am to meridian:

Gentle to light breeze from WSW, overcast with rain. At 9 made all fore & aft sail.


Meridian to 4pm: Gentle breeze from SW & partly clear with occasional rain. At 12.40 in all sail. Stood various courses to S’d & W’d. At 3.20 sighted a schooner off shore & stood for her. At 3.30 made jibs, main staysail & fore trysail.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from S’d & W’d and clear weather. At 4.30 stopped & spoke to schooner CZAR from St Michael, for San Francisco. At 4.40 ahead & stood W ¼ S, in all sail.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate breeze from NW. Weather clear. At 8.55 stopped off Sledge Island. At 9 stood ahead & stood around south end of the Island. Shaped course W ½ N for King’s Island.


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman. Thomas Hollihan, Boatswain.


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12 July 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 65.20, Long -168.02


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh to strong breeze from NW & clear weather. At 1 course W by N.


4am to 8am:

Strong breeze from the N’d & partly clear. At 8.10 set jib, flying jib, fore trysail & main staysail. At 7.49 anchored off S end of King’s Island. A number of Indians came off to the ship.


8am to meridian:

Moderate to light breeze from NW & clear weather. At 10.30 got underway & shaped course for Cape Prince of Wales.


Meridian to 8pm:

Light to gentle breeze from SW & partly clear, latter part dense fog. At 4 hauled in for the settlement. At 4.30 stopped off Indian village, Cape Prince of Wales. Starting & stopping at intervals to hold position. At 6.34 steamed ahead, NW by W ½ W. At 7.45 stood NW.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh southerly breeze & dense fog. At 8.30 made all sail, stopped & uncoupled engine. Sounded hourly during the watch. At 11.50 water shoaling to 8 fathoms hauled out N’d & W’d. At 12 hauled fore sail & main sail.


Sick List; Frank Enos, Seaman.


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13 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 66.81, Long -164.73


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from south, first part of watch foggy, latter part clear. At 12.30 set foresail. Sounded frequently during the watch.


4am to 8am:

Moderate breeze from S’d & clear weather. At 7am set mainsail. At 7.30 coupled up engine & steamed ahead. Rove topmast & lower studding sail gear. At 8 set studding sails. Sounded frequently during the watch.


8am to meridian:

Moderate to light breeze from SSE & clear weather.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light rains from S’d & E’d & clear weather. At 12.15 took in studding sails & square sails. At 3 in all sail except mainsail. Sighted a schooner ahead.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather calm & clear. At 5pm stopped near schooner. Sent officer & boats crew to search her. Lay off & on waiting return of boat. At 7.50 officer & boats crew returned on board having examined the vessel, which proved to be the schooner, OS FOWLER of San Francisco, Nye Master, trading. Found nothing contraband on board.


8pm to midnight:

Light airs to gentle breeze from SW & clear weather. At 8.15 steamed ahead, shaped course NE ½ E. At 11 stood E by S ½ S.


Sick List; Frank Enos, Seaman.


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14 July 1881

Kotzebue Sound

Lat 66.08, Long -161.85


Midnight to 4am:

Light westerly wind & partly clear.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch. Steaming various courses standing up Kotzebue Sound. At 6.30 passed Chamisso Island, bearing NE, distance about 3 miles. At 7.50 anchored in Spafarief Bay.


8am to meridian:

Light northerly airs & clear weather. At 9 sent an officer & armed boats crew up the Ke-wa-lik River.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light wind from NNE & passing clouds. Officer went on shore to make magnetic observations.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather same as previous watch. At 7.45 officer & boats crew returned form Ke-wa-lik River.


8pm to midnight.

Light W wind & partly clear weather.


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman.


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15 July 1881

Kotzebue Sound

Lat 66.53, Long -162.23


Midnight to 4am:

Light variable airs & partly clear.


4am to 8am:

Variable airs & foggy. At 7.25am got underway & stood to the N’d & W’d down the sound.


8am to meridian:

Light to moderate breeze from the W’d, overcast & misty. At 9 made all fore & aft sail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate westerly wind, cloudy with constant rain. At 2 in all sail. At 2.30 anchored under Cape Blossom. At 3.30 got underway & stood to the S’d & W’d.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate breeze from W’d & cloudy weather. Steering various courses around shoal off Cape Blossom, sounded frequently.


8pm to midnight.

Moderate westerly breeze & clearing weather. At 8.15 anchored off entrance of Hotham Inlet. A number of natives came off to the ship


Sick List; Frank Enos, Seaman.


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16 July 1881

Hotham Inlet

Lat 66.95, Long -162.57


Midnight to 4am:

Commences with light westerly wind & clear weather.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch.


8am to meridian:

Moderate westerly breeze & clear weather. A number of Indians on board.


Meridian to 4pm:

Weather same as in previous watch. Crew variously employed. Indians still on board.


4pm to 8pm: Moderate westerly wind & clear weather. Fitted new water back to galley stove.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with moderate westerly wind & clear weather. At 9pm Indians left the vessel


Sick list: Frank Enos, Seaman, returned to duty. JR Gissler, Coxswain.


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17 July 1881

Hotham Inlet

Lat 67.36, Long -163.92


Midnight to 4am:

Came in with fresh westerly wind and passing clouds.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch. At 4.15 got underway & stood along the land to the W’d.


8am to meridian:

Light NW wind & cloudy. At 9.20 Cape Krusenstern abeam. At 11.20 made all fore & aft sail except fore staysail & gaff topsail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate westerly wind & cloudy. At 2 in all sail, sounded frequently during the watch.


4pm to 8pm:

Strong breeze from N’d & W’d & squally with occasional snow & rain. At 5.30 made all fore and aft sail except fore staysail & gaff topsail. At 6.30 in flying jib. Set fore staysail.


8pm to midnight:

Strong breeze from W & passing snow squalls. Sounded frequently during the watch. At midnight, in 10 fathoms.


Sick list: JR Gissler, Coxswain.


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18 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 68.27, Long -166.47


Midnight to 4am:

Strong breeze to moderate gale from NW. Latter part squally with snow. Sounded frequently during the watch.


4am to 8am:

Moderate NW gale with frequent squalls. At 4.28 in all sail. At 4.35 anchored on south side of Point Hope. At 5am Commanding Officer left the vessel & on board whaling bark SEA BREEZE. At 6.50 he returned on board.


8am to meridian:

Weather same as in previous watch. A number of natives came off to the vessel.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh gale from NW & overcast, frequent snow squalls. At 3 got under way & stood inshore for a better anchorage. At 3.20 anchored.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate gale from NW & overcast & snow squalls.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with same weather as in previous watch.


Sick list: JR Gissler, Coxswain.


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19 July 1881

Off Point Hope

Lat 68.09, Long -165.67

[Note the longitude given in the log is 161.67, which is far inland. Believed to be 165.67 as above.]


Midnight to 4 am:

Commences with moderate gale from NW, cloudy with snow squalls.


4am to 8am:

Fresh northerly gale & squally. At 5.15 got under way & stood to E’d, set fore trysail, jib & main staysail.


8am to meridian:

Fresh gale from N’d & squally. At 8.50 took in fore trysail. At 9.25 took in jib & main staysail. At 9.0 anchored under Cape Thompson. Crew employed boating water.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh northerly gale & squally, weather clear. All hands employed watering ship.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate northerly gale & clear weather. At 5 finished watering ship. At 6.40 got underway & stood to the W’d. Made fore trysail, jib, fore & main staysails & single reefed mainsail.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate gale to strong breeze from N’d & partly clear. At 9.40 took in jib & mainsail. At 9.55 took in fore trysail & fore staysail. At 10 anchored off south side of Point Hope. Took in main staysail.


Sick list: JR Gissler, Coxswain.


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20 July 1881

Off Point Hope

Lat 68.29, Long -166.53


Midnight to 4am:

Strong breeze from N’d & cloudy with heavy squalls.


4am to 8am:

Moderate gale from NNW & cloudy with heavy squalls.


8am to meridian:

Strong breeze from N’d & clear weather. Watch variously employed. A number of Indians on board.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong to fresh breeze from N’d & partly clear. At 1.20 got underway & stood to the N’d around Point Hope. At 3 shaped course N ½ W.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh to light breeze from N’d, weather cloudy.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from N’d & E’d and partly clear. At 9 passed Cape Lisburne, shaped course N by E ½ E. Made all fore & aft sail. Sounded hourly during the watch.


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21 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.10, Long -162.67


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze to light airs from the E’d & partly clear. At 3.40 hauled down fore staysail.


4am to 8am:

Light to gentle breeze from the E’d & partly clear with occasional light rain. At 6.20 set fore sail.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from SSE & overcast with rain. Latter part wind freshening. At 9.30 took in square sail. At 10 in flying jib. At 11 in topsail & jib. Standing to the N’d & E’d along the land.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong breeze to moderate gale from S’d & W’d & cloudy weather with occasional rain. At 2 hauled up NW by W. At 3 tacked ship to S’d & E’d, set jib, fore and main staysails & single reefed mainsail. Sea rough.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate gale to strong breeze from S’d & partly clear. At 4.35 took in fore trysail, tacked ship & stood SW ½ W. At 5.55 set fore staysail & fore trysail. At 7.45 took in fore trysail, tacked ship to S’d & E’d.


8pm to midnight:

Strong breeze from S’d & cloudy. Stood to S’d & E’d until water shoaling to 9½ fathoms & tacked ship to S’d & W’d.


Sick List; JR Gissler, Coxswain.


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22 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.07, Long -162.70


Midnight to 4am:

Strong breeze from S’d & partly clear. At 2am tacked ship to S’d & E’d. At 3.45 took in fore staysail. Sounded frequently during the watch.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch. At 5.10 water shoaling to 10 fathoms, tacked to S’d & W’d. At 5.30 set fore staysail. At 7am tacked ship to S’d & E’d.


8am to meridian:

Strong to moderate breeze from SSW & partly clear. At 8.25 shook reef out of main sail., hauled down fore staysail & stopped engines. At 9.40 set flying jib & topsail. At 10.55 started engine & stood to N’d & W’d. At 11.50 water shoaling to 7½ fathoms, took in topsail & flying jib & stood to W’d. At 12 in all sail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light southerly wind, overcast with mist & dense fog. Steering various courses around the shoal off Icy Cape.


4pm to 8pm: Light northerly breeze & foggy, latter part clearing some. Standing to the N’d & E’d around the shoal off Icy Cape, at times through quantities of drift ice. At 7pm, ice appearing closely packed to the N’d & E’d put the vessel about & stood to the S’d & W’d. Lead going throughout the watch.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate to fresh breeze from NE & cloudy with dense fog at times. At 8.30 stood to S’d & E’d, set jib. At 8.43 made fore trysail & main staysail. At 10 in fore trysail & jib. At 10.25 anchored, hauled down main staysail.


Sick List; JR Gissler, Coxswain.


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23 July 1881

At anchor off Icy Cape

Lat 70.33, Long -161.87


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from N’d & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch.


8am to meridian:

Fresh to gentle breeze from NE, first part of watch foggy, latter part clear. At 9 got underway & stood in towards the shore. At 9.30 anchored. At 10 three officers went on shore with instruments to take observations for latitude, longitude, variation of the compass and dip of magnetic needle.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from NNW & partly clear. At 12.45 officers returned on board. At 1 got underway & stood to N’d & E’d along the land. At 2.25 made all fore & aft sail. At 3.20 set topsail.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle NW wind & partly cloudy. Standing to E’d along the shore. At 6.10 came up to the drift ice well in shore, got boat out and found ice drifting to the S'd. At 6.20 hoisted boat & stood back to S’d & W’d. Set square sail. At 7.30 took in square sail. Lead going throughout the watch.


8pm to midnight.

Gentle breeze from NW & clear weather. At 8.45 shoaling water to 3½ fathoms, slowed engine & took in all sail. At 9.40 stopped to board whaling bark, NORTHERN LIGHT, New Bedford. Lay off & on waiting return of boat until 10.40 then steamed ahead to the W’d. Stopped & boarded American schooner RB HANDY of San Francisco, Winants master, whaling and walrusing. At 11.45 stood to the W’d.


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24 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.08, Long -162.67


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle breeze from NW & clear weather. Sounded every half hour, engines slowed.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch. At 4 stopped engines, set jib & main staysail. At 5am set mainsail, fore topsail & flying jib. At 7.25 steamed ahead under one bell. Three barks & one schooner in sight.


8am to meridian:

Gentle NW wind & clear weather. At 10 in all sail. Stopped & spoke whaling bark SEA BREEZE, McKenna master. At 10.05 steamed ahead inshore. At 10.20 anchored. A number of Indians came off to the ship.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from NW & clear weather. At 1pm Commanding Officer left the vessel to visit whaling bark at anchor off shore of us. At 3.15 steam whaler BELVEDERE of New Bedford, Owen master, anchored off shore of us. At 4pm Commanding Officer returned on board. Indians still on board.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle breeze from NW & partly clear. At 7.10 got underway & steamed to a more secure anchorage, anchoring at 7.20. Banked fires. Indians left the vessel.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle to light northerly wind & foggy.


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25 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.09, Long -162.72 [Calculated, log-book: 69°58'N, 162°15'W]


Midnight to 4am:

Commences with light breeze from N’d & dense fog.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from N’d, first part of watch foggy, latter part clear.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light northerly breeze & partly clear with occasional fog. At 12.40 got underway & stood to the N’d along the land. Crew employed fitting launch and 2nd cutter for boat expedition and getting stores ready. Lead going throughout the watch.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle northerly breeze & clear weather. Standing to the N’d & E’d along the shore between the ice pack & the shore. At 6.20 reached Icy Cape. Found the ice on the Cape and extending unbroken from NE to SSW leaving only a narrow passage along the shore which the vessel came though. At 6.25 being unable to proceed further put the vessel about and stood to the Sd and W'd. At 6.50 anchored in 3½ fathoms off inlet SE of the Cape. Commanding Officer left the ship with boats crew to sound out the inlet. At 7.50 Commanding Officer returned on board having found a channel of sufficient width to admit a vessel and a depth of two fathoms. Sounded frequently.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from NE & clear weather. Prepared for a boat expedition to go up the coast but the conditions of the ice rendered it dangerous to proceed on the trip. Boats were discharged & hoisted. Quantities of drift ice passing the vessel. Uncoupled engine. At 10.25 got under way under sail & stood to the S’d along the land.


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26 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 69.96, Long -162.87


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from E’d & cloudy. At 12.30 set mainsail, & main staysail. Standing to S’d along the land. Lead going throughout the watch.


4am to 8am:

Light easterly wind & clear weather. At 6am passed several whalers at anchor. At 6.30 set gaff topsail & fore trysail. At 8 set topmast & studding sails.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze to light airs from N’d, weather clear. At 11.30 coupled engine & steamed ahead.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from N by W & clear weather. Standing down the cost.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from N’d & partly clear. Standing to the S’d along the land. At 7.45 wind hauling ahead, took in all sail.


8pm to midnight:

Light SW wind & partly clear. Course SW by S ½ S, along the land. Sounded frequently during the watch.


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27 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 68.88, Long -165.14


Midnight to 4am:

Light airs from SE & partly clear. At 2.30 course SW ½ S.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as previous watch. At 4.15 anchored off coal vein. Cape Lisburne bearing SW about 22 miles. All hands employed mining coal.


8am to meridian:

Light airs from SW. Weather clear & pleasant. Crew employed as in previous watch.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from the W’d & clear weather. Crew employed getting out & boating off coal.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from the W’d and clear weather. Crew employed as in previous watch.


8pm to midnight:

Weather calm & clear. At 8 stopped coaling for the day. At 8.30 shifted anchorage off shore.


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28 July 1881

Off coal mine, Arctic Ocean

Lat 68.89, Long -165.14


Midnight to 4am:

Weather calm & clear.


4am to 8am:

Weather calm & clear. At 5am all hands commenced getting out & boating off coal.


8am to meridian:

Light airs to light breeze from NE & clear weather. All hands employed mining & boating off coal.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from NE & clear weather. All hands employed as in previous watch.


4pm to 8pm:

Light westerly airs & hazy. At 4.30 finished coaling having received 20 106/2240 tons. At 5 got underway & stood WSW.


8pm to midnight:

Light airs to light breeze from the N’d and hazy. At 9.30 shaped course West. At 9.33 Cape Lisburne abeam, distant 5 miles. At 10.20 made all fore & aft sail. At midnight stopped & sounded. Lost thermometer overboard in sounding


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29 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 69.65, Long -169.23


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze to light airs from the N’d and clear with hazy atmosphere. At 4 stopped and sounded in 26 fathoms, temperature at bottom 39o.


4am to 8am:

Weather clear & calm, hazy around the horizon. At 8 sounded in 26 fathoms, temperature at bottom 40°.


8am to meridian:

Weather calm & hazy. At 9.10 stopped & fitted chain pendants to wheel ropes. At 9.30 steamed ahead. Watches employed variously. Carpenter repairing dinghy. At meridian sounded in 27 fathoms, temperature at bottom 35o.


Meridian to 4pm:

Calm & hazy. At 4 sounded in 28 fathoms, temperature at bottom 41o.


4pm to 8pm:

Light southerly airs and hazy weather. At 8 sounded in 23 fathoms, temperature at bottom 36o.


8pm to midnight:

Light airs from S’d & clear weather. Sounded hourly during the watch, bottom blue mud. At midnight temperature at bottom 40 degrees. Ice in sight on starboard beam.


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30 July 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.82, Long -174.53


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze to light airs from SSE & clear weather. At 3.40 in fore staysail. Sounded hourly. At 4 temperature at bottom 43o.


4am to 8am:

Light to gentle breeze from SSE & clear weather. At 6am set fore topsail & fore sail. At 8am temperature at bottom 43o. Changed course to NW by W, took in gaff topsail.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from S’d & E’d and clear weather. At 9 took in mainsail. Employed painting dinghy & fitting sails to steam cutter. Carpenter repairing first cutter. At meridian sounded in 24 fathoms, temperature at bottom 43o.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light southerly breeze & clear weather. At 1.40 sighted Herald Island, bearing WNW, distant 42 miles. Set mainsail, main staysail & gaff topsail. Carpenter and crew employed as in previous watch. At 4pm temperature at bottom 41o.


4pm to 8pm: Weather same as previous watch. At 4.50 took in all sail. At 5.42 slowed engine & entered drift ice. Steering various courses through drift ice towards Herald Island. At 6.25 sighted Wrangel’s Land [now known as Wrangel Island] on the port bow.


8pm to midnight:

Light southerly wind & clear weather. Working the vessel to bell through the heavy drift ice. At 9.45 made fast to the ground ice, close in to the east side of the Island, in 3 fathoms, coarse sand, temperature 31o. Officers left the vessel to explore the Island. Took observations to ascertain variation, dip and intensity. At 11.0 got underway & worked the vessel through the drift ice around the northern end of the Island. At midnight made fast to the shore ice again with kedge and line. Measured the current & found it setting to the N’d at the rate of a knot an hour.


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31 July 1881

Herald Island, Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.85, Long -175.67


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from SW & clear weather. At 2.30 exploring party returned on board having made a thorough examination of the Island and found no evidence to indicate that the place had been visited by the crew of the exploring steamer JEANNETTE or the whalers MT WOLLASTON & VIGILANT. The exploring parties built, on the north end of the Island, a cairn in which was placed a sealed bottle containing a record of the CORWIN’s visit and a copy of the New York Herald, of April 22, 1881. From the point where the cairn was built, an excellent view of the Wrangel's Land was had; it presented a bold, rugged shore of moderate height with several snow-clad mountains in the background. While at the Island, secured a good specimen of the polar bear. Saw a great number of birds and a few blue foxes. At 3 cast off from the ice and steamed to the E'd through the drift ice, working vessel to bell.


4am to 8am:

Calm weather, clear. Working the vessel to bell through the ice to the eastward. At 6.30 reached clear water, Herald Island bearing NW by W, distant 12 miles. Stood to the S’d & E’d along the edge of the ice.


8am to meridian:

Weather same as previous watch. Steering various courses to the S’d outside of the ice pack. At 10.20 made all sail except fore staysail. At meridian sounded in 37 fathoms, temperature at bottom 39o.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs to light breeze from SE & clear weather. At 12.10 stood to the W'd through drift ice. At 3.35 came up to the pack and stood to the S'd & W'd along the edge of it. At 4 sounded in 29 fathoms, temperature at bottom 34o.


4pm to 8pm:

Light SE wind & clear weather. Standing to the S’d & W’d along the edge of the pack & through drift ice. At 7.45 ice in sight from NE to SE. In all sail except main sail & gaff topsail & stood to SE. At 8 sounded in 28 fathoms, temperature at bottom 33o.


8pm to midnight:

Light variable airs to gentle breeze from N’d & W’d & partly clear. At 9 stopped engine, set jib & put vessel’s head to NE. Vessel drifting to S’d about 5 knots per hour. At 11.20 hauled down jib. At midnight temperature at bottom 37o.



LOGS FOR AUGUST 1881


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1 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.26, Long -178.35


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle to light breeze from Norther & passing clouds. Vessel drifting to S’d ½ knot per hour. At 1 set main staysail. At 4 sounded in 29 fathoms, temperature at bottom 36o.


4am to 8am:

Light variable winds & partly clear. At 4.35 steamed ahead to S’d & W’d following the pack ice. At 6.30 set topsail. At 8 sounded in 27 fathoms, temperature at bottom 40o.


8am to meridian:

Weather calm & partly clear. At 9 in topsail. Standing to S'd & W'd around the ice pack, at times through drift ice.

At meridian sounded in 25 fathoms, temperature at bottom 36o.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs to gentle breeze from NE & partly clear, dense fog latter part. At 1.35 stopped engines & hove to, vessel’s head to S’d. Making WSW drift. At 4 sounded in 21 fathoms, temperature at bottom 33o.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle NE wind & dense fog. Vessel hove to drifting to W’d. At 7.30 made ice on lee bow. At 7.40 steamed ahead to the E’d. At 8 sounded in 21 fathoms, temperature at bottom 33o.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from NE with dense fog. At 8.20 stopped engine. Hove to under mainsail & jib heading to S’d & E’d. At midnight sounded in 2 fathoms, temperature at bottom 34o.


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2 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.58, Long -179.32


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle breeze from E’d and perfectly clear. At 1 fog lifted, vessel drifting to S’d & W’d half a knot an hour. At 4 sounded in 21 fathoms, temperature at bottom 35o.


4am to 8am:

Gentle easterly breeze & partly clear. At 4.10 in all sail. At 4.15 steamed ahead to N’d & W’d through drift ice. At 5.10 stopped & got boat out & found the ice drifting to N’d at 1 knot an hour. At 5.15 steamed ahead through opening s in the ice. At 7.45, ice becoming closely packed, stopped engine.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from E’d, sky clear overhead, dense fog around the horizon. At 8.15 made fast with kedge & line to the ice. At 11.30, ice opening some, cast off & steamed to N’d & W’d.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle easterly breeze & dense fog. Working vessel to bell through drift ice to the N’d & W’d. At 12.45 saw several polar bears close to the ship, succeeded in killing and securing two of them.

At 1.45 ice becoming so closely packed that we were unable to proceed nearer to the land. The weather being thick with indications of an easterly gale, and deeming our position anything but a secure one, there being twenty miles of heavy ice to windward of us, put the vessel about to the S'd and E'd. Working to bell the remainder of the watch through the ice towards clear water.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze to light airs from E’d to S’d & W’d and dense fog. Moderate E’d swell. At 5.38 stopped engine. At 6 dropped kedge with 50 fathoms line in 22 fathoms water. At 8 temperature at bottom 34o.


8pm to midnight:

Light to gentle West wind & dense fog. Moderate swell from E’d. Vessel dragging kedge to the E’d. At midnight sounded in 20 fathoms, temperature at bottom 36o. Ice in sight to windward.


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3 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.38, Long -179.25


Midnight to 4am:

Comes in with gentle breeze from the W’d & dense fog. At 4 sounded in 22 fathoms, temperature at bottom 35o.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as in previous watch. At 7.30 got underway & stood NW.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from WNW & dense fog. At 9 stopped engine & put vessel head to S’d. Drifting to S’d & W’d. At meridian sounded in 19¾ fathoms, temperature at bottom 40o.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light westerly wind & dense fog. At 2.15 fog lifted. Got underway & stood towards the land to N’d & W’d through drift ice.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather calm & cloudy. At 6 found current setting to the W’d ¾ knot per hour. Unable to proceed nearer land on account of the heavy ice, put vessel about to S’d & E’d. Land in sight from WNW to N by E. Worked vessel to bell through the ice the remainder of the watch.


8pm to midnight:

Calm to light breeze from SW & overcast with fog & mist. At 8.15 reached clear water. At 9 course south. Sounded hourly after 9 pm. Temperatures at bottom 38, 36 & 36 degrees.


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4 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 69.25, Long -178.73


Midnight to 4am:

Light Se wind to light airs & cloudy. Standing to the E’d along the edge of the ice. Sounded hourly. Temperatures at bottom 36, 36, 39 & 38 degrees.


4am to 8am:

Calm & partly clear. Standing to the S’d along the edge of the ice. At 5.20 stopped and picked up a vessel's lower yard of Oregon fir, 12 inches in diameter at slings & 45 8/12 feet between sheave holes, ends of spar being chafed off. The sling band, chain sling & jack stay were attached to yard. Strips of yellow metal on after side. At 6.10 ahead. Sounded hourly, temperatures at bottom 39, 39, 40 & 40 degrees.


8am to meridian:

Light SE wind & cloudy weather. Standing to S'd & W'd along edge of ice pack. Sounded hourly, temperatures at bottom 39,35, 36 & 39 degrees.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze & cloudy with occasional dense fog. At 1.53 slowed engine. Steered various courses to the S’d & E’d to avoid heavy ice. At 3.07 getting clear of ice, increased speed. Sounded hourly, temperatures at bottom 41, 36, 36, 34.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle breeze from SE & cloudy. At 4.15 made land ahead & stood towards it. At 8pm temperature at bottom 34o.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from E’d & cloudy. Steering various courses along the land to S'd & E'd through drift ice. Sounded hourly, temperatures at bottom 34, 34, 35, & 36 degrees.


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5 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 68.33, Long -176.20


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from SE & cloudy. Steaming various courses to S’d & E’d along edge of ice. Sounding hourly, temperatures at bottom 39, 39, 38, 36 degrees


4am to 8am:

Gentle to fresh breeze from SE & partly clear. Standing to S'd & E'd around the ice, at times through quantities of drift ice. Sounded hourly, temperatures at bottom 36, 35, 35, 34 degrees.


8am to meridian

Fresh south wind & cloudy weather. At 8.45 made the land on starboard bow & hauled in for it. At 11.45 made fore & aft sail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh westerly wind & cloudy. At 3 ran into 8 fathoms water, in all sail & hauled up W by N along the land. At 3.30 put the vessel about & stood to S’d & E’d along the land. Set jibs, fore & main staysails & fore trysail.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh to light breeze from WSW & cloudy. Steering various courses along the land. At 4.43 in jibs & fore trysail. At 5.06 in staysails. At 5.50 anchored off Cape Wankarem [Vankeram]. A number of natives came on board.


8pm to midnight:

Light to moderate breeze from WNW & cloudy. At 8.30 natives left the ship. Since noon of the 4th current set NNW (true) 34 miles.


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6 August 1881

Cape Wankarem

Lat 67.85, Long -175.79


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from NW & dense fog.


4am to 8am:

Moderate to gentle breeze from the NW & foggy. Made preparations to water ship.


8am to meridian:

Light wind from NW, weather cloudy, gloomy & foggy. Crews employed boating off water. Natives came on board bringing a number of articles from the wrecked whaling bark VIGILANT which were purchased by Commanding. Officer. At 10 Commanding Officer went on shore to search for other articles at the native settlement.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light easterly wind, overcast & raining. At 1.30 Commanding Officer returned on board bringing a buck saw, whaling iron and several pieces of iron work supposed to have been taken from the whaling bark VIGILANT. At 3.45 shifted anchorage, Cape Wankarem bearing N ¼ E, distant ⅛ mile. At 4 finished watering having received 720 gallons fresh water.


4pm to 8pm:

Light easterly wind & overcast with continuous rain.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light breeze from S’d & E’d, overcast & raining.


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7 August 1881

Cape Wankarem

Lat 67.87, Long -175.79


Midnight to 4am:

Light SE wind, overcast with fog & mist. At 1.30 shifted to West. At 3.30 drift ice in sight, moving to the E’d along shore.


4am to 8am:

Fresh to gentle breeze from the W’d, overcast & foggy.


8am to meridian:

Gentle to light breeze from NNW, overcast & foggy. At 8.30 officers landed at Cape Wankarem to make magnetic observations. At 9.15 weighed anchor to avoid contact with heavy ice. At 9.30 anchored. At 11.30 officers returned.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from WNW, overcast, foggy & misty. Latter part weather clearing.


4pm to 8pm:

Light easterly wind with occasional fog.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends, weather calm & partly clear


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8 August 1881

Cape Wankarem

Lat 68.10, Long -176.50


Midnight to 4am:

Calm to light airs from ENE & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

Light airs from N’d & W’d. At 5.20 got underway & steamed to the W’d. At 5,35 Cape Wankarem bore ESE, distant ⅛ miles. At 7.39 set all fore & aft sail. Masses of floating ice in sight to the N'd and W'd.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze from the NNW & cloudy. Standing to N’d & W’d along the shore, steering various courses. At 10.45 in all sail. At 11.20 anchored


Meridian to 4pm:

Light easterly wind & cloudy. At 1.10 got under way & stood along the shore to N’d & W’d. At 2 made all fore & aft sail. At 3 made topsail. Quantities of floating ice around the vessel, sounding frequently during the watch.


4pm to 8pm:

Light to gentle breeze from ENE & cloudy. Steaming various courses N’d & W’d along shore & to avoid ice. At 7.35 set fore sail. At 7.45 in fore staysail.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate to fresh easterly wind & cloudy. Latter part sea making.


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9 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.35, Long -178.38


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh easterly wind & cloudy weather. Latter part raining.


4am to 8am:

Wind fresh from the E’d, weather thick & rainy. At 5am took in gaff topsail.


8am to meridian:

Weather same as in previous watch. At 8.37 changed course to NW ¼ W. At 10 made drift ice ahead. Slowed engine & took in foresail. At 10.15 stopped engine. At 10.45 in flying jib & fore trysail. Hove to under topsail, mainsail, main staysail & jib. Vessel drifting to N’d & W’d.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh to moderate easterly wind & cloudy with rain. At 3.45 set flying jib and filled away to clear drift ice close aboard to leeward. At 4pm in topsail.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate easterly wind with rain & dense fog. At 4 made ice pack ahead, tacked vessel to S'd. Drift ½ knot per hour.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with moderate easterly wind, dense fog & rain.


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10 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.35, Long -178.92


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate breeze from E’d, overcast with rain & fog. At 4 made fore trysail & wore ship to the W’d.


4am to 8am:

Moderate to light breeze from the E’d, overcast with rain & fog. Sounded hourly.


8am to meridian:

Light breeze to light airs from the E’d with fog & mist. At 11 anchored. Found current setting to NW ¼ knot per hour.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from SW & foggy. Watch variously employed.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather same as previous watch.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light airs from SW & dense fog.


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11 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.55, Long -178.08


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from the W’d & partly clear. At 12.50 fog lightening, weighted & stood to the N’d & W’d. Worked the vessel to bell through drift ice.


4am to 8am:

Weather same as in previous watch. Standing to the N’d & W’d towards the land, working vessel to bell. At 4.30 finding the ice so heavy that it was impossible to force the vessel any farther, we were compelled to give up the attempt to reach the land. With considerable difficulty put the vessel about & worked to the S’d & W’d. At 7.30 stopped & took bearings of the land. At 7.35 steamed ahead to the S’d & E’d, made all sail.


8am to meridian:

Light westerly wind & cloudy. Standing along edge of ice to N’d & E’d. At 12M, in studding sails.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light westerly wind & cloudy, weather cold. Standing to the N’d & E’d outside of the ice pack. Land in sight along port beam. At 3.40 found a lead in the ice opening to N'd and W'd. Took in stunsails & hauled up for it.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from W’d & cloudy. At 4.20 took in square sails. At 4.45 entered ice and slowed engine. At 4.55 in all sail. At 5.40 stopped at edge of heavy ice, fired one gun. At 6 weather becoming thick, put vessel about and steamed to the S'd and E'd. At 7.10 anchored with kedge.


8pm to midnight:

Light westerly breeze & foggy. Ice drifting into vessel, got under way & steamed to the N’d & E’d. At 9.50 anchored.


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12 August 1881

At anchor SE end of Wrangel’s Land

Lat 70.92, Long -177.27


Midnight to 4am:

Light westerly wind, overcast with dense fog. At 2.30 ice drifting close to vessel, got underway & stood the S’d & E’d. At 2.55 anchored.


4am to 8am:

Light westerly wind, overcast with dense fog. At 4.30 got underway & stood to N’d & W’d towards the land. Worked the vessel to bell through the heavy ice, making slow progress until 6.10 when we reached a lead extending into the shore where the ice was much open and reduced in size. Got boat out and measured the current; found it setting NNE 1¼ knots per hour. Upon reaching the shore found the condition of the ice to be caused by the waters of a river which empties into the sea at that point.

Commanding Officer went on shore and took formal possession of the land in the name of the Government of the United States of America; erected a flag staff on the bluff bearing NE by N from the mouth of the river, and ½ mile distant, and hoisted the National Ensign; secured to the staff a sealed bottle containing a record of the CORWIN’s visit and also a copy of the NY Herald of March 22, 1881, in which was published an account of the doings of the Relief Board at Washington DC.

Officers & several of the crew went on shore to take observations & explore the land in the vicinity. The point of landing we found to be the westernmost part of the land. This being the point referred to by the Commanding Officer of the Exploring Steamer JEANNETTE in his communication to the Navy Department as the proper place to seek for information regarding his vessel, should a relief vessel be sent to the Arctic, it being his intention to leave information at this point regarding his movements should he visit this land. Fired three guns.


8am to meridian:

Gentle to moderate SW wind & partly clear. At 9, ice closing in around the ship, got under way and made signals to the parties inshore to return to the ship. At 9.30 parties returned on board. They reported that they found no evidence to indicate that the land was inhabited or that it had been visited by any human beings. Worked the vessel to bell through the ice. At 11.30 reached clear water. At 11.55 made all sail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh SSW wind & cloudy. At 12.25 stopped & uncoupled engine. Set stunsails. Stood along edge of ice pack.


4pm to 8pm: Fresh breeze from S’d & W’d and cloudy. At 6pm 5 inches water in forward hold.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate breeze from S’d & W’d and cloudy with snow spits.


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13 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.15, Long -171.78


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate to gentle SW wind, overcast & misty. At 3.40, wind light, coupled up & started engine.


4am to 8am:

Light southerly wind, overcast & misty. At 7 am handed square sails.


8am to meridian:

Light southerly airs & cloudy with mist. At 9 course E ½ N. At 9.30 set topsail & fore sail. At 10 made lower & topmast studding sails. At 11.40 in studding sails.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from SE, overcast and misty. At 12.52, wind drawing ahead, took in square sails.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle to moderate easterly wind & overcast with mist. At 7.10 wind drawing aft, in all sail. At 8 sounded, temperature at bottom 39o.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate easterly wind, overcast & misty.


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14 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 69.17, Long -167.17


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate to fresh easterly wind & overcast. At 3.30 changed course to ESE & made fore & aft sails.


4am to 8am:

Wind increasing to strong breeze, overcast and misty. At 7am changed course to SE by E.


8am to meridian

Fresh easterly wind, overcast & misty, with drizzling rain. At 8.30 took in gaff topsail & flying jib.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate to light easterly wind, overcast & foggy with drizzling rain. At 2.15 tacked ship to N’d & E’d.


4pm to 8pm: Light to gentle breeze from N’d & E’d & overcast with fog & rain. At 4.05 wind drawing ahead, in all sail. 3 inches of water in forward hold.


8am to Midnight:

Light easterly wind & cloudy & rainy. Latter part clearing. At 8.30 made all fore & aft sail except fore trysail & gaff topsail. Sounded, temperature at bottom 45o.


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15 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.17, Long -162.78


Midnight to 4am:

Light easterly wind & cloudy. At 3.10 set gaff topsail.


4am to 8am:

Weather cloudy. Wind light from N’d & E’d. At 6.50 in all sail. At 7.45 made all fore & aft sail.


8am to meridian:

Light airs from NE & cloudy. At 10.05 sighted vessel on port bow & hauled up for her.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light SE breeze to light variable airs & cloudy. At 3.20 took in jib & fore trysail & stopped to speak to whaling bark PACIFIC. At 3.40 steamed ahead NE by E, set jib & trysail.


4pm to 8pm:

Weather calm & partly clear, latter part raining. At 5.30 stopped to communicate with whaling barks JOHN HOWLAND & RAINBOW. Ship’s surgeon visited the "Rainbow" to treat professionally two of her crew. At 7 surgeon returned on board. At 7.55 steamed ahead to S’d & E’d. No water in forward hold. At 8 in all sail.


8pm to midnight:

Calm to light airs from SE & partly clear. At 8.27 put vessel about to W’d to speak to whaling bark. At 9 spoke to bark & put vessel about & stood to the N’d & E’d along the land. Hand lead going throughout the watch.


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16 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 71.23, Long -156.95


Midnight to 4am:

Light easterly airs to light breeze from S’d to E’d & partly clear. At 12.10 stopped off settlement at Point Belcher & an officer went on shore to get information concerning the portion of the crew of the whaling bark DANIEL WEBSTER (lost in the ice) supposed to be at Point Barrow. At 12.45 officer returned on board, steamed ahead along shore then N’d & E’d, sounding constantly. At 1.30 made fore & aft sail except fore staysail. [DANIEL WEBSTER was a 327 ton bark out of New Bedford, MA, Captain David Lewis Gifford. She was caught in ice & crushed near Point Barrow in mid July 1881 & sank instantly]


4am to 8am:

Wind light from SE & cloudy, latter part calm & foggy. Standing along the coast to N'd and E'd passing much drift ice. At 7.45 in all sail, slow engine & proceeded cautiously through drift ice. Hand lead going throughout the watch.


8am to meridian:

Calm to light airs from S’d & W’d and partly clear with dense fog over the water. At 9 stopped 10 minutes to communicate with some Indians. At 10.35 stopped engines, large quantities of heavy ice (grounded) around the vessel and fog so dense as to be unable to see ship's length. Current setting to N’d 1¼ knots per hour. Lead going throughout the watch.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze to light airs from SW to NW, dense fog around the horizon and clear overhead. At 12.25 steamed in towards the shore and at 12.40 anchored. A number of Indians on board. At 2.10 got underway and stood various courses for the shore. At 3.50 slowed engines.


4pm to 8pm:

Light airs to light breeze from NW and partly clear, dense fog on the horizon. Steaming cautiously along the land towards Point Barrow. At 6.50 anchored at Point Barrow officers went on shore to take observations.


8pm to midnight:

At 915 officers returned on board. Day ends with light NE wind and partly clear weather.


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17 August 1881

Point Barrow

Lat 71.43, Long -156.08


Midnight to 4am:

Light easterly wind and partly clear. Ice drifting by the vessel.


4am to 8am:

Light SE wind & overcast. Received on board for passage to San Francisco the following rescued seamen of the American whaling bark DANIEL WEBSTER which was crushed by the ice off Point Barrow: Thomas Stanton, John Shehan, Nelson Adams, John Conway, William Hesling, James Dow, Louis De Acosta, Michael Shehan, and Manuel Lamberts. The whaling bark NORTHERN LIGHT being short of provisions furnished her with three (3) bbls beef.


8am to meridian

Light breeze from S’d & E’d and overcast. At 8. 20 got underway and steamed to the eastward. At 10 anchored. Surgeon went on board and treated professionally the Master and one Seaman of the whaling bark SEA BREEZE. Delivered to whaling bark SEA BREEZE 40 sacks flour and 2 sacks rice from extra stores taken on board at St Michael. Also 2 sacks (140 lbs) beans from ship's stores, taking receipt for them.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light easterly wind & constant rain. At 1.30 got underway & stood to S’d & W’d. At 3.15 stopped & spoke bark FRANCIS PALMER. At 3.25 ahead again. At 3.44 anchored off settlement at Point Barrow. Measured current & found it setting ENE 1¾ knots per hour.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from E’d, overcast & rainy. A number of Indians visited the vessel


8pm to midnight

Light easterly wind, overcast with fog and rain. Quantities of ice drifting past the vessel. Surgeon went on board bark ATLANTIC & treated professionally two of her crew


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18 August 1881

Point Barrow

Lat 71.33, Long -156.74


Midnight to 4am:

Light southerly breeze & overcast with fog & rain. Latter part weather clearing. Quantities of ice drifting by the vessel


4am to 8am:

Wind light from S’d, first part partly clear latter part overcast with fog & rain.


8am to meridian:

Gentle to fresh breeze from SSW and cloudy with rain first part, latter part clearing. Officers went onshore to take observations.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh breeze from SW and clearing weather. At 1.30 got underway and stood around the point at 1.45 stopped and put ship's mail on board bark LEGAL TENDER. At 2 steamed ahead to S’d & W’d. Drift ice in sight during the watch, strong head current


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh to gentle breeze from S’d & W’d and clear weather. At 5 made all fore & aft sails. At 7.30 wind light, in all sail.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from S’d & W’d & clear weather.


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19 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.60, Long -160.95


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate breeze from S’d & W’d and cloudy weather with rain in latter part. At 1.20 made False Cape bearing S by W, 3 miles distant. Stood offshore to clear Sea Horse Islands. At 1.30 set jibs, fore trysail and main staysail. At four in all sail.


4am to 8am:

Moderate to gentle breeze from the S’d, cloudy with rain. Standing to the S’d & W’d along shore. At 8.15 anchored off Indian village. Point Belcher bearing S by W, distant 2½ miles. At 7.45 got underway & stood to the S’d & W’d.


8am to meridian:

Gentle breeze from the S’d & E’d & partly clear. At 9 made all sail except for staysail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from E’d & cloudy. Latter part light rain. At 2 set studding sails.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle to moderate easterly wind & overcast with rain. At 6.30 hauled up to south in studding sails. Stopped & sounded hourly.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate breeze from E’d, weather thick & rainy. Sounded hourly.


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20 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 68.91, Long -164.92


Midnight to 4am:

Gentle breeze from ESE & cloudy with light rain. Sounded hourly.


4am to 8am:

Sails not drawing, took them in & furled them. Sounded regularly during the watch. At 5.15 sighted high land bearing South. At 7.20 changed course to SSE. At 7.30 changed course to S ½ E. Wind light from S’d with thick rainy weather.


8am to meridian:

Light to moderate breeze from S’d & W’d, weather overcast & rainy. Standing along shore. At 9.30 anchored & Commanding Officer went on shore to examine the mouth of a small stream. At 10 Commanding Officer returned on board. Got underway & stood along shore. Lead going throughout the watch.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate to fresh breeze from the W’d and overcast with fog and rain. Standing to the westward along the land. At 3:45 made all fore and aft sails except for staysail and gaff topsail. Lead going throughout the watch.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh breeze from NNW, overcast with fog and rain. Latter part fog lifting. At 5 set topsail and stood to the S’d. At 5.50 made fore sail.


8pm to midnight:

Fresh breeze from N’d & W’d & cloudy. Rough sea. At 8 made Point Hope on starboard bow & hauled up around it. At 9.20 laid course S ½ E for the Diomedes. At 10 put single reef in main sail & took in square sails.


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21 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 66.75, Long -167.96


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from NW & cloudy weather. Sea rough. At 3.40 set flying jib. At 3 wind moderating & weather clearing.


4am to 8am:

At 4.10 shook reef out of main sail. At 6am set gaff topsail, clewed up fore topsail, wind light & variable, moderate following sea. Vessel rolling deeply. At 7.30 furled topsail & trysail. Weather changeable, part clear & cloudy.


8am to meridian:

Light to gentle breeze from S’d & E’d & partly clear. Latter part passing fogs. At 9.35 set fore trysail. At 10.35 wind hauling ahead, in all sail. At 11.45 made jibs, main sail, main staysail & gaff topsail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light to gentle southerly breeze & cloudy. Sea smooth. At 12.10 set fore staysail. At 12.30 made the land bearing SW by S. At 4 wind hauling, took in all sail.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle to moderate breeze from S’d, overcast with dense fog. At 4 changed course to S by W ½ W.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate breeze from S by E & overcast. Latter part dense fog & drizzling rain. At 8.15 course S by W. At 9 stopped five minutes to adjust machinery. At 11 fog very dense slowed engines. Sounded hourly.


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22 August 1881

Behring’s Strait

Lat 65.23, Long -170.20


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from S’d & squally, dense fog & mist, moderate sea. Standing through the straits under one bell. Sounded every half hour. Stopped engines at intervals on account of heated slides.


4am to 8am:

Wind moderate from SE by S. weather thick & foggy, with drizzling rain. Moderate head sea. At 6.30 made all fore & aft sails except gaff topsail. At 7.15 weather clearing.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from S’d & E’d. overcast with fog & rain. At 9 stopped engine to adjust machinery. At 10.45 started ahead. At 11 made gaff topsail. Sounded hourly.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate breeze from SE, dense fog & rainy. At 3.15 slowed engine. At 3.30 in flying jib & gaff topsail. Moderate sea, sounded hourly.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate to strong breeze from S’d & E’d, dense fog and rain. Sea moderate. At 4.05 stopped engine & anchored with kedge. In all sail except main staysail. At 6.20 fog lifting, hove up kedge and got underway. At 6.30 set jib and fore trysail. Latter part, dense fog and drizzling rain. Sounded half hourly.


8pm to midnight:

Strong breeze from SE with dense fog & rain. At 8.15 in fore trysail, set main sail. At 9 tacked ship to E’d. At midnight tacked ship to S’d. Sounded half hourly.


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23 August 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 63.95, Long -171.90


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze to moderate gale from SE, foggy & rainy. Sounded half hourly.


4am to 8am:

Stopped engines every half hour to sound. At 7.45 set fore trysail. Wind freshening to a stiff gale from SE, with thick & rainy weather. Moderate high sea, vessel pitching slightly. Course during the watch S by W.


8am to meridian:

Moderate gale from S’d & E’d & dense fog & mist, rough sea. At 11.35 wind hauling to S’d stood about on starboard tack, heading SE. Sounded half hourly.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate gale from S’d with dense fog & mist. At 1.45 stopped engine to adjust machinery. Vessel lying to remainder of watch. Sea rough. Sounded half hourly.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate gale from S’d with dense fog & mist, rough sea. At 7.55 tacked ship to S’d & W’d. Making ENE drift. Sounded half hourly.


8pm to midnight:

Strong to moderate wind, dense fog & mist. Rough sea. Vessel on port tack. At 10 went about on starboard tack. At 12 put vessel on port tack. Latter part wind moderating & hauling to the W’d. Sounded half hourly.


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24 August 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 64.39, Long -172.28


Midnight to 4am:

Light to fresh breeze from S’d & W’d with fog, mist & rain. At 2.30, fog lifting, wind hauling to N’d & W’d with fog, mist & rain. At 2.30, fog lifting, wind hauling to S’d & W’d. At 2.40 steamed ahead to S’d & W’d. At 3.40 sighted the land, shaped course for Indian Point.


4am to 8am:

Steaming to S’d & W’d. At 4.30 set jib & gaff topsail. At 6.30 as the square sails would not draw, took them in & furled them. Weather cloudy & part clear, wind light & variable.


8am to meridian:

Light airs from N’d & E’d, foggy & misty. Latter part weather clearing. At 9.05 set topsail. At 10.10 in fore trysail. At 10.45 set fore sail, in gaff topsail & mainsail & stood S. At 11.20 passed Indian Point. At 11.25 set main sail, gaff topsail & fore trysail & stood SW ½ W.


Meridian to 4pm:

First part variable wind, latter part fresh SE wind. Sky partly clear. At 1.30 wind hauling ahead, took in square sails. At 3.30 Choukisky Head [probably Mys Chukotskiy] abeam, hauled in for Plover Bay. Set jib & main staysail.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh SW wind, weather partly clear. At 4.10 set topsail, fore trysail & flying jib. At 5 in all sail. At 5.15 anchored near coal pile belonging to the Russian Government in Plover Bay. Found schooner GOLDEN FLEECE, with Lieutenant Ray USA & party on board, bound for Point Barrow. Lieutenant Ray visited the vessel.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from SW to calm weather, clear. Schooner GOLDEN FLEECE, being short handed, sent William Hesling and Thomas Stanton, Seamen of wrecked bark DANIEL WEBSTER, on board of her at their own request. Delivered to Lieutenant Ray USA, 52 deer skins, 5 deer skin tents, and a quantity of fur clothing which was purchased from the natives at different points during the summer with a view of a possibility of being compelled to winter in the Arctic.


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25 August 1881

Plover Bay

Lat 64.37, Long -173.34


Midnight to 4am:

Calm to light variable airs & clear weather.


4am to 8am:

Weather calm & clear with passing clouds.


8am to meridian:

Light NE wind, weather partly clear. At 9 got underway & took schooner GOLDEN FLEECE in tow. At 9.20 steamed ahead. At 10.30 off the entrance of the bay, cast off from the schooner, put vessel about & stood up the bay. At 11.35 anchored in Plover Harbor, near coal pile; commenced receiving coal.


Meridian to 4pm:

Calm & cloudy. All hands employed coaling ship.


4pm to 8pm:

Calm & cloudy. All hands employed coaling ship. At 7 stopped coaling for the day & hoisted boats.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light airs from the NW & continuous rain.


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26 August 1881

Plover Bay

Lat 64.37, Long -173.34


Midnight to 4am:

Light to gentle breeze from the N’d & cloudy with continuous rain


4am to 8am:

5am ceased raining, wind light from the N’d, weather clearing. At 5.30 resumed coaling.


8am to meridian:

Light variable airs & cloudy. Latter part weather clearing. At 8.30 Commanding Officer left the vessel in steam launch to explore the head of the bay. Finished coaling having secured in all 69 2023/2240 tons. All hands employed scraping spars & watering ship


Meridian to 4pm:

Light southerly breeze & partly clear. Crew employed boating off fresh water, scraping & slushing masts. [Slushing the mast is applying grease, usually waste meat grease, to the mast to make sail hoisting easier.]


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from S’d & cloudy weather. Received 1600 gallons fresh water. All hands employed slushing spars, securing rudder & cleaning ship.


8pm to midnight:

Light southerly wind & cloudy. At 8.45 Commanding Officer returned on board.


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27 August 1881

Plover Bay

Lat 64.30, Long -172.43


Midnight to 4am:

Weather calm & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

At 5.40 got underway, stood out of Plover Bay & to the S’d & E’d along the coast. Charles Anderson, Seaman, for insolence to Commanding Officer & First Lieutenant, confined in single irons and to bread and water diet. At 7.20 steamed ESE. Calm with thick foggy weather.


8am to meridian:

Light airs to gentle breeze from N’d & E’d, cloudy & foggy.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from N’d & E’d & dense fog. At 1 released Charles Anderson, Seaman, from irons to stand his watch. At 4 put him in irons again. Gave afternoon to crew to make & mend clothes.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from NNE & cloudy. First part dense fog. At 4 changed course to N by E ½ E.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle to moderate breeze from N by E & clearing weather, sea smooth.


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28 August 1881

Behring's Sea

Lat 65.60, Long -169.03


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate NW wind & partly clear, sea smooth.


4am to 8am:

5am, thick foggy weather continuous through watch. Wind moderate from N by W, small head sea. Stopped engine to sound hourly.


8am to meridian:

Moderate breeze from N’d & overcast with dense fog. At 11 fog lifting some. At 11.50 changed course to NW & made all fore & aft sail, except gaff topsail & fore stay sail. Sounded hourly.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate to strong breeze from N’d & squally, cloudy & foggy. At 12.35 took in all sail & hauled up N by W. At 1.30 anchored off Indian village on Ratmanoff Island. Commanding Officer went on shore.


4pm to 8pm:

Strong to moderate breeze from N’d, cloudy & foggy. At 5.45, fog lifting, got underway & stood NW under all fore & aft sail. Latter part clearing weather. At 8 released Charles Anderson from irons by order of Commanding Officer.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate breeze from N’d & partly clear. At 9 changed course to NW ¾ W. At 11.20 East Cape abeam, distant about 3 miles.


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29 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 67.41, Long -171.45


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate breeze from N’d & cloudy. At 3.35 took in fore staysail.


4am to 8am:

Wind fresh from N’d & cloudy weather. At 7.40 set fore topsail, took in gaff topsail. Moderate sea & swell from W’d, vessel laboring slightly.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from N’d & E’d & cloudy. At 9.30 set reefed square sail & gaff topsail. At 10.30 vessel steering badly, took in gaff topsail.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh northerly breeze & cloudy weather, latter part squally.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh breeze from NE & cloudy. At 6.10 set fore staysail.


8pm to midnight:

Strong breeze from N’d & E’d & clearing weather. At 9.30, vessel steering badly, put single reef in main sail.


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30 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.51, Long -176.40


Midnight to 4am:

Fresh breeze from NE & passing clouds. At 3.45 took in fore staysail.


4am to 8am:

At 5.45 shook out reefs in fore & main sail. At 6.15 set studding sails & gaff topsail. Wind fresh from NE, moderate sea. Weather cloudy.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from NE by N & cloudy. At 11 sighted New Columbia ahead, distant about 5 miles.


Meridian to 4pm:

Fresh to moderate NE wind & cloudy. At 1 made ice ahead, took in studding sails. At 2.50, ice ahead & on weather beam took in square sails & stood about to the E’d.


4pm to 8pm:

Moderate to strong breeze from NE & cloudy. Standing to the E’d outside of the ice. At 6.30 took in flying jib & gaff topsail. At 7 slowed engine. At 7.30 took in jib & set fore staysail, put single reef in mainsail.


8pm to midnight:

Strong breeze from N’d & E’d & squally, sky overcast, sea moderate.


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31 August 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 71.12, Long -175.95


Midnight to 4am:

Strong breeze from N’d & E’d & squally. Sky cloudy, rough sea.


4am to 8am:

At 5am steamed ahead & tacked shup to NW. Set fore topsail. At 7.30 sighted high land, bearing NNW, hauled up NW by N. Wind blowing a moderate gale from NNE with rough beam sea, vessel laboring & rolling deeply. Weather overcast & stormy looking.


8am to meridian:

Moderate gale from N’d & cloudy with frequent squalls. Rough irregular sea, ship rolling heavily. At 11.45 tacked ship to the N’d & E’d. At Meridian, Herald Island bore N by W ¾ W, distant 16 miles. Sounded hourly.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate to fresh gale from the N’d, squally & cloudy. Rough sea. At 2.55 stopped engine. Sounded hourly.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh northerly gale with heavy squalls, weather cloudy. Rough sea. At 4.30 started engine & put vessel on starboard tack. At 4.50, vessel making bad weather, stood about on port tack & stopped engine. Remainder of watch vessel making good weather. Sounded hourly.


8pm to midnight.

Fresh to strong gale from N’d & cloudy with occasional snow squalls. Rough sea. At 8.15 put double reef in main sail. Starboard plate of ice-breaker having carried away and lower portion of stern piece being badly broken, making it unfit for service, the weather being such that it could not be taken inboard and there being a possibility of it injuring the bows, cut the remaining guys and let it go.



LOGS FOR SEPTEMBER 1881


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1 September 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.88, Long -174.83


Midnight to 4am:

Strong gale from NNE, with frequent squalls, cloudy with snow squalls. Sounded hourly. Rough sea.


4am to 8am:

Vessel head reaching under short sail. Strong gale with frequent heavy squalls from NNE. Rough sea, vessel rolling deeply & shipping water. Weather overcast. Sounded hourly.


8am to meridian:

Whole gale from N’d & E’d with frequent and violent squalls. Rough cross sea. Sky cloudy with occasional snow. Ship rolling badly. Vessel by the wind under jib, fore trysail, main staysail & double reefed mainsail. Sounded hourly.


Meridian to 4pm:

Strong gale from N’d with violent squalls. Sky overcast with occasional snow. At 1.40 took in main sail, set storm trysail. Sea heavy, vessel rolling badly. Sounded hourly.


4pm to 8pm:

Strong gale from NNE with frequent heavy squalls, cloudy with light snow first part. Heavy sea, ship rolling badly. Sounded hourly.


8pm to midnight:

Strong gale from N’d & E’d with heavy squalls. Heavy sea running. At 10 after hoisting bolt of cutter drew out. Put on preventer lashing to secure it. Sounded hourly.


Sick list: Charles Johnson, Seaman.


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2 September 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 70.53, Long -174.75


Midnight to 4am:

Strong gale with violent squalls from NE & passing clouds. Heavy sea, vessel by the wind under small sail. Sounded hourly.


4am to 8am:

Vessel lying to under short fore & aft sails. Wind NNE, blowing a heavy gale with frequent squalls. High sea & swell from NE. Vessel laboring & rolling deeply. Sounded hourly.


8am to meridian:

Fresh gale with heavy squalls of wind & snow from NNE & cloudy. Heavy sea. Took first cutter & steam cutter inboard & secured them. Sounded hourly.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate gale from N’d & E’d weather overcast & rainy. Crew securing steam cutter on deck. At 1.30 starboard rudder chain parted; secured the rudder and got wheel rope to rudder. At 2.50 having completed repairs on rudder started engine & steamed E by S ½ S. At 4 stopped engine on account of heated journal.


4pm to 8pm:

Fresh gale from N’d & E’d, weather thick & rainy. At 4.10 started engine. At 4.30 set topsail, reefed. At 6.30 took in storm trysail. Sea rough. Sounded hourly.


8pm to midnight:

Moderate gate to moderate breeze from N’d & E’d, cloudy, squally & rainy. Rough sea. At 11.40 wind hauling ahead, clewed up fore topsail. Sounded every two hours.


Sick list: Charles Johnson, Seaman.


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3 September 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 69.20, Long -170.73


Midnight to 4am:

Light easterly wind, weather overcast with fog & mist. At 3.30 found that the harp iron securing bobstay and jib boom-jumper-stay to stern had parted during the night; hauled down jib and brailed up fore-trysail. At 4, dense fog, slowed engine.


4am to 8am:

Wind light from ESE, weather overcast with drizzling rain & thick weather. Sounded at 5am & 7am. Rigged temporary bobstay by hitching 5 inch hawser over bowsprit and bring the ends through hawsepipes to steam windlass, and hove taut. Secured jib-stay. At 6am hauled down main staysail.


8am to meridian:

Light easterly breeze with dense fog & mist. At 8.35 increased speed of engine. Sounded hourly.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light breeze from E’d with fog & mist. Watch employed cleaning steam launch. Sounded hourly.


4pm to 8pm:

Light easterly wind to calm weather, cloudy & foggy. Light ground swell from N’d & E’d. At 6 dense fog, slowed engine. At 7.50 anchored with kedge.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends calm with dense fog.


Sick list: Charles Johnson, Seaman, S.A. Jansen, carpenter.


https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/23701717/content/dc-metro/rg-026/585454/0002/Corwin-vol193/Corwin-vol193_0128.JPG

[US National Archives scan]


4 September 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 68.55, Long -169.07


Midnight to 4am:

Light airs from E'd and dense fog.


4am to 8am:

Wind light from S'd and E'd with thick foggy weather. Performed usual morning duties.


8am to meridian:

Light airs from S'd and E'd and cloudy with dense fog. At 10 inspected berth deck. At 11.04 hove up kedge and steamed on course ESE. At 11.20 dense fog, slowed engine. At 11.45 ahead full speed. At 12 sounded in 29 fathoms.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light SE wind with dense fog. Sounded hourly in 29, 29, 29 and 31 fathoms.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze from Sd and foggy. At 5.05 fog, very dense; slowed engine. Sounded hourly in 30, 30, 30 and 29 fathoms.


8pm to midnight:

Light breeze from SSW, cloudy and foggy. At 8.25 came to with kedge and 60 fathoms line, in 28 fathoms water. Banked fires.


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5 September 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 67.83, Long -166.22


Midnight to 4am:

Light breeze from S’d & W’d & foggy. Latter part light rain.


4am to 8am:

At 5.25 got under way. Weather thick with passing fogs. Sounded hourly, stopping engine a few minutes each time. At 7am set fore & aft sail & topsail. Wind light from SSW, small following sea.


8am to meridian:

Gentle SW breeze, cloudy & misty. Watch scrubbing launch. At 10.05 set gaff topsail. At 111.50 made land on port bow. Sounded hourly.


Meridian to 4pm:

Gentle breeze from S’d & W’d & cloudy. At 1 set studding sails. Watch employed scrubbing steam cutter, sending down crows nest, reeving off topgallant yard gear & getting yard ready for sending aloft. At 3.15 took in lower studding sails.


4pm to 8pm: Gentle breeze from S’d & W’d & cloudy. At 4.15 took in topmast studding sail. At 5 crossed topgallant yard & set topgallant sail. At 8 took in fore sail.


8pm to midnight:

Gentle breeze from SSW & cloudy. At 8.35 took in topsail, topgallant sail, jibs & fore trysail, slowed engine & stood to the S’d & W’d as the water was shoaling rapidly. At 9 anchored, took in the remaining sails.


Sick list: Charles Johnson, Seaman, Charles Anderson, Seaman, S A Jansen, Carpenter


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6 September 1881

Arctic Ocean

Lat 66.97, Long -162.83


Midnight to 4am:

Light to gentle breeze from S’d & W’d & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

At 4.30 got underway & stood to the eastward. At 5am, set all sail. At 7.30 took in all sail & slowed engine. Wind light from WSW, weather thick. Sounded regularly.


8am to meridian:

Moderate westerly breeze & cloudy. At 8.18 anchored. Fitted new iron to stem. Set up bobstay & jumper stay, took in preventer bobstay. At 11.50 got underway & stood to the S’d & W’d.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate to gentle breeze from WSW & partly clear. At 12.06 stopped to allow a canoe to come alongside, working engine to bell to hold position. At 12.35 Indians left the vessel, ahead SW. At 1.05 stopped three minutes, stood to S’d. At 1.25 made all sails except staysails. At 2.30 set main staysail. At 3 course ESE. Hand lead going throughout the watch.


4pm to 8pm:

Light breeze to light airs from SW to SE, sky partly clear. At 6 in all sail. Hand lead going throughout the watch.


8pm to midnight:

Light SE airs & partly clear. At 9.40 anchored at Chamisso Island. Banked fires.


Sick list: Charles Johnson, Seaman, Charles Anderson, Seaman. SA Jansen, carpenter, returned to duty


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7 September 1881

Chamisso Island, Kotzebue Sound

Lat 66.30, Long -161.33


Midnight to 4am:

Light SE breeze & partly clear.


4am to 8am:

Wind light from SE, weather overcast.


8am to meridian:

Light airs from S’d & E’d, cloudy with passing showers. At 11.05 got underway & steamed up the bay.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from E’d & passing showers. At 12.40 anchored.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle to moderate breeze from ENE & cloudy, with passing showers first part. Repaired clew of jib.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with moderate easterly breeze & partly clear.


Sick list: Charles Johnson, Seaman, returned to duty. Charles Anderson, Seaman.


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8 September 1881

Eschscholtz Bay

Lat 66.30, Long -161.42


Midnight to 4am:

Moderate ENE wind & partly clear.


4am to 8am:

Weather clear, passing clouds, wind light from ENE.


8am to meridian:

Fresh breeze from ENE & partly clear. Employed getting steam cutter ready for painting.


Meridian to 4pm:

Moderate to light breeze from ENE & cloudy. Painting steam cutter. Renewed lashing on rudder.


4pm to 8pm:

Light easterly wind & cloudy.


8pm to midnight:

Light airs to gentle breeze from ENE & cloudy with light rain.


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9 September 1881

Eschscholtz Bay

Lat 66.32, Long -161.42


Midnight to 4am:

Light easterly wind & overcast with rain.


4am to 8am:

At 5.30 Mr. Nelson with cutter & crew left the vessel. Weather thick with drizzling rain. Wind light from ENE.


8am to meridian:

Calm & overcast with drizzling rain. Crew employed cleaning paintwork & scrubbing coal sacks. At 8.50 got underway & stood to the N’d & W’d. At 9.05 ship took the ground in 1½ fathoms water; was unable to back her off. Run kedge to hold vessel when the tide made. Cutter returned.


Meridian to 4pm:

Light airs from SW, cloudy with drizzling rain. At 1.40 vessel floated; let go port anchor. At 1.50 let go kedge line, hove up port anchor and steamed into deep water, anchoring at 2.12. Crew employed washing coal sacks.


4pm to 8pm:

Light westerly breeze & overcast. Sent boat & weighed kedge. At 5 got under way & stood down the bay. At 6.45 anchored under Choris Peninsula. Banked fires.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with light westerly air & cloudy.


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10 September 1881

Choris Peninsula

Lat 66.27, Long -161.77


Midnight to 4am:

Light airs to light breeze from W’d & cloudy.


4am to 8am:

Weather overcast with light west wind.


8am to meridian:

Gentle westerly breeze & cloudy. At 8.10 got underway & stood inshore to N’d. At 8.35 anchored. Sent cutter on shore for fresh water. Took observations for variation & dip.


Meridian to 4pm: Moderate westerly wind & cloudy weather. Crew employed boating fresh water off & painting steam cutter.


4pm to 8pm:

Gentle breeze from W’d & cloudy. Employed boating off fresh water.


8pm to midnight:

Day ends with moderate westerly winds & cloudy.


Approved to date. CL Hooper, Captain USRM.