Un regard en arrière
Transcription du Journal de Gertrude Perrin
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Page de Titre
TRAVELS
of
Gertrude B. Perrin
July & August 1936
From Winnipeg to Montréal
Montréal to Churchill
Samuel Ward : Boston
Pages Ouvertes 16
Autographs
Name T.W. Deachman (Chester)
Place 216 Metcalfe St Ottawa, Ont.
Name Lloyd Roberts
Place Ottawa Date Aug 1-36.
Name Douglas Leechman
National Museum
Place Ottawa, Canada
Name W.G. Boorman
R.C.M. Police 31/7/36
Place Port Harrison
Name DC Martin
R.C.M.P.
Place Ottawa, Ont Date 2.3.36
Name G.H. Lawrence
Post Office Inspectors Office
Place Toronto Date Aug 2/36.
Autographs
Name R.N. Yates
Address Chesterfield Inlet Date Aug 2nd R.M.S. Nascopie
Name Cantley
Place Winnipeg date 2nd Aug, 1936
Name Thomas
Place blank Date blank
Name A Snow
Place Montreal Date Aug 4th 1936
Name William Gibson
Place Winnipeg Date 4th Aug. 1936.
Name Cyril R Diamond
Hudson's Bay
Place R.M.S. Nascopie Date Aug 5/36
Pages Ouvertes 17
Passengers on board S.S. Nascopie - leaving Montreal
Addresses
Name Mr & Mrs Tallman
Address Janesville, Wis
Name Miss Grace Strang
Address Godwich (n Guelph).
Name Inspector Duncan R.C.M.P.
Address Ottawa
Name Major McKeand
Address Ottawa
Name Mr Cantley - H.B.C.
Address Wpg.
Name Mr. Gibson H.B.C.
Address Wpg
Addresses
Name Douglas Leechman
Address Ottawa - Museum
Name Lloyd Roberts
Address Ottawa
Name Mr Downs
Address Mass.
Name Mr Green
Address Philadelphia
Name Mr Haldeman
Address Philadelphia
Name Mr Wenham - missionary
Pages Ouvertes 18
HBC boys - Alan Scott, Don Wilderspin, Ted Maurice, Stanley Knapp;
AddressesName Dr McArthur
Address Ottawa
Name T.W. Deachman
Address Ottawa
Name Mr. Nichols; physiographer
Address Ottawa
Name M Lawrence - postmaster
Address Toronto
Name Cons Turner, Yates, Jackson, Boorman, Corey, Taylor, Martin
Address [blank]
Name Mr & Mrs Carmichael - H.B.C.
Address Stuparts Bay - Wakeham Bay, Que.
Mr & Mrs Smith, H.B.C. Chimo:
Events and Places Visited
Date July 1st
Place Little Falls.
Weather Perfect - Slightly cloudy
Left Emerson 2. o'clock. After three detours Reached Detroit Lakes. Enjoyed dinner at Edgewater Beach Hotel. Decided to go to Little Falls Arrive 11.30. Beautiful moonlight night.
Pages Ouvertes 19
Events and Places Visited
Date July 2nd
Place Appleton, Wis
Weather Fine & Bright
Drove to Minneapolis this morning. Arrived 11.30 and shopped for a dress. Three shopping takes a long time, so it was 3 p.m. before we left. Visited the bar at the Nicolet and had a cocktail & lunch. Were disappointed to find we could not make the ferry. Detours again. But country very beautiful - mainly hilly. Drove till one o'clock am tempers rather frazzled. A very old hotel.
Date July 3
Place Saginaw, Mich
Weather Cloudy & Cool
All very tired tired [sic] to-day. Rose at 6.30 and reached the ferry Manitowas at 8.30. Ferry left at 10.50, much to our disgust. Cold on boat. Waited over an hour for lunch - slowest service I ever saw. Drove to Saginaw - 125 mi and found we were on E.S.T. so stores closed. Am spending too much money on meals - must cut down. Staying at the Bancroft Hotel - very nice.
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Pages Ouvertes 20
Events and Places Visited
Date July 4 morning
Place Toronto
Weather Rainy - then fair
Drove to Detroit and crossed to Windsor. Steady traffic on Am. Side and terrific speed. Pouring rain when we cleared customs. Had lunch & shopped a bit. Weather gradually cleared and Ontario very beautiful. Barns are unpainted. First sight of orchards. Lunch at Windsor, supper at Woodstock in nice Chinese restaurant. Roads narrow & traffic heavy - slow driving Reached here 11 o'clock.
Events and Places Visited
Date July 4
Place Renfrew, Ont
Weather Fine
A fine drive from Toronto - via Kingston, Smith Falls, Carleton Place. Country very lovely along L. Ontario - rocky north from Kingston. Country hilly & green around here. Are now staying with Colin & wife upstairs.
Pages Ouvertes 21
Events and Places Visited
Date July 13
Place Montreal - Mt Royal Hotel
Weather cloudy - fairly warm
Since last writing it is has been [sic] exceedingly hot - no time to go visiting. Folks in Renfrew very good to us. Colin and Mildred very kind to me. Jiggs came home Monday and there being an even number made it much nicer for me. The six of us usually went together, but the four of us went to Calabogie Lake two or three times alone - It was grand to swim out there. In fact, we were almost cold.
Monday played golf with Colin & Jiggs - terrible game but a lovely course.
That night Colin, Mildred Jiggs & I went driving & ended up at Renfrew Hotel with seven travelers - drinking John Collins'. Colin lost money at poker, we played poker and bridge. Pitt & Flo sat at home & waited for us.
Tues - all went to Calabogie with Colin. Terrible road in...
Pages Ouvertes 22
...but a dandy swim and picnic. Had been at Golf Club. Colin & I looked at the course.
Wed. four of us went to Calabogie - Mildred worked. We took Diana. Jiggs very good with her. Went to show at night, and a terrible storm all night. I had a hot bath before going to bed - but won't be persuaded again. Nearly fried that night. Next day felt terrible. In the afternoon we went to Arnprior for beer wine & Scotch, but were too tired and hot to drink any of it that night. Just fell into bed. Friday four of us went to Calabogie and had a grand swim. Late in the evening decided to go to the Golf Club dance. I had two Scotches before we went - Jiggs & I came home for one. Dancing was fun but too short. Was sick after awhile sitting in...
Pages Ouvertes 23
...the hot room so Colin & I retired to the balcony and had a long talk. Rather queer to have someone read your case so accurately. I don't like Colin but he seemed to like me or it is his custom to try out every girl. I can well believe he isn't quite happy in his married life - he has a very ambitious wife & he is easy-going. It's wonderful how a bit of liquor can make people confidential. Wasn't able to be really sick until next morning and the ice water did it. Felt fine after that, but couldn't get the rest of the gang started until after 11. Went to Ottawa & had lunch. Jiggs is good about showing you the sights and he was driving out to Cornwall about 5 and found they had...
Pages Ouvertes 24
...expected us at noon. I stayed - rest went on to Sherbrooke. Had a lovely week end with the Maywoods. Uncle Herb is a dear - also Marg. Went swimming 3 times in St. Lawrence - went to see the Long Sault Rapids & took pictures. Came here by bus this morning. The trip along St. Lawrence is beautiful.
Have been waiting all afternoon for Pitt & I'm not a good "waiter".
Events and Places Visited
Date July 16
Place On board S.S. Nascopie
Weather Raining & Chilly
Tues. 14 -
Breakfasted and had neck trim. Arrived at pier. Kate on board with Ruth, Whidden & Mrs Storey. Sailed promptly at 10. A good crowd on the pier, making us feel quite important. Mr Ney introduced himself at once - geodetic survey. We sat at the captain's table & were late first meal. Also disc. we have afternoon tea at four o'clock. That is a pleasing touch
Sharing a cabin with Grace...
Pages Ouvertes 25
Table companions: Major McKeehan, Mr & Mrs Tallman, Inspector Duncan (6 ft 3)"
...Strang - teacher from Guelph. We tossed for bunks and I got top one. Afternoon warm & sunny but evening decidedly cold. Annexed Douglas Leechman & a mountie - Turner & hugged the funnel for warmth waiting to see Quebec. Experienced the usual sensation of hitting the bridge. Dropped one pilot & picked up another. Find Leechman & mountie very amusing & clever. Turner is a Scotch lad with rosy complexion.
Wed.
Struggle to get up on time for 8 o'clock breakfast - the worry of the captain's table. Obtained skipping ropes from 1st mate, so now have a means of exercise. Find Lloyd Roberts annexing himself & us - son of Chas G.D. Roberts - a terrific talker - last two topics - women & his stories. Afternoon captain gave orders for us to play shuffle board - one seems to do as he says! Explored the rest of the decks with [Corey?] & Leechman & Roberts...
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...Passed Father Point & dropped last pilot - now on our own. First white walrus sighted. After tea had first life saving drill. Cunning things these life preservers. Not much to see or do in the evening. Set up my skirt, & listened to Roberts & some impossible stories for awhile. Told the men about the name of Tillie Zass and they were much amused. Retired early because I am sleepy these days. Not so hot in our cabin.
Thurs.
A most interesting morning. Thanks to Lloyd Roberts we were dated up to see the engines - piloted by Mr Diamond, first Engineer. Spent an hour then sat in his cabin and drank beer. Visited Chief Engineer for another half hour - and invited to come back - thank goodness. Had rum in Leechman's cabin after lunch - ate Laura Secords. Leechman said he liked a bunk board because he could put his knees against the board & his Tilley against the wall. Kate & I each owe a quarter on sweepstake
Pages Ouvertes 27
Events and Places Visited
Date July 20
Place On board Nascopie - outside
Weather Hebron - fog -Becalmed
Since last writing have been sea-sick for two days - feeling better now. Only a few smitten, but I would be one of the few. Only good thing about being sick is the amount of attention one receives. Sat or reclined on hatch both mornings and everyone very friendly. 2nd Engineer Diamond caused a battle between the cat & pup by means of a bone. (Had a drink of Scotch night before with Mr Diamond).
Next day still feeling rotten. Spent most of my time in or on the bed. At four o'clock felt like tea - first thing to stay down. Six o'clock more tea - then two hours of bridge with Kate, Dougie, & Marshall Ney. They guzzled rum while I sucked the used lemons. Everyone very gay - Kate announced to Miss Strang that she was tight. Miss S. had to remove the debris because I craved to lie down.
Became becalmed about 4 o'clock and moved awhile at noon. Not far from Hebron, but can't...
Pages Ouvertes 28
...move in until fog rises. Quite cold - 46º so must be near ice.
The weather has been very cold & disagreeable for two or three days, so just as well to be in. Our port hole has been open in the afternoons for the invalid. Hebron Mr Ney leaves to make geodetic survey around Ungava Bay. Last Friday say whale "blowing". Going to tea this afternoon with the Major.
Opened Helen's poetry last Friday after we had hit a rolling sea. Much appreciated by all.
Events and Places Visited
Date July 22. Wed.
Place SS Nascopie - Outside Hebron
Weather Fog - cold. Temp 40.
Mon. Last night anchored in Hebron Bay about 8.30 beautiful evening. A boat load of Eskimoes (Huskies) out to meet us - about 25 in boat. Three-masted schooner "Fort Gaery" came alongside to take on cargo. Unloading began immediately. When evening seemed about to die went ashore with two H.B.C. boys and visited the post, ending up by dancing Highlow Scottish - Back 1 o'clock.
Pages Ouvertes 29
Events and Places Visited
Date Tues. Ashore at 9.30
Place Climed [sic] a high hill and placed rocks on cairn.
Kate and I with Allan Scott, Stan Stevens, & boy from Australia - all H.B.C. boys. Mosquitoes terrible. Coming down hard on knees. Nearly wrecked on rock returning to boat. Hebron fairly large post, but am not impressed with smell of seal skin & Eskimo. Dogs bedraggled. Country completely rocky - no trees. Vegetation quite rank but stunted trees grow about a foot. Some vegetables & flowers growing in...
Many species of flowers - all close to ground
...cold frames at post. The mission is Moravian Mission - building 106 yrs. Long building with chapel at end. Eskimos great workers when ship is in. Cargo for post transported in small Eskimo motor boats. Afternoon went ashore - K. Douglas & I lowered on barrels of flour into boat. Spent afternoon puttering around. Saw "Mongolian spot" on Esk. Baby - by Douglas up-ending the baby. Visited graveyards & climbed over rocks. Visited Esk. Tent. Dinner time Esk. came...
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...[with?] brass band & performed. Band very loud, but the singing very pleasant. All fed on the deck - meat, bread, lard - in chunks & handfuls. Remainder of evening spent in wanting to dance. Retired 11 o'clock. Pictures by Mr Harp the missionary. Rum is the favorite drink. Had one before dinner & nearly had a talking spree. Very potent drink - and rather strong to take. However will take everything in sight from now on. Wed. Very stiff and face badly sunburned. Kate overcome by sleep. Sleeping morning & afternoon. Last day we will enjoy Douglas' fund of information. He is full of wisdom about many interesting subjects - y. "Mongolian spot". Sat on hatch in sun most of morning. Afternoon watched 2 Engineers fix refrigeration plant. Due in Burwell tomorrow morning.
Pages Ouvertes 31
Events and Places Visited
Date July 23
Place Port Burwell - N.W.T.
Weather Foggy - windy
Terrific wind & fog, but the skipper did a remarkable piece of navigating and landed us in Burwell in record time to find the bay full of sunshine & wind. Went ashore to scramble up on the rocks - very slippery. Inspector Duncan wrenched his game leg. Post in a long narrow valley - must be wind swept in winter. Inspected post, R.C.M.P. etc.
Climbed low hills near post. Eskimos here cleaner but scabies discovered among them. Chimo Eskimo are even cleaner. Here Alan Fraser learned of his girl's change of mind, & decided to go "out." Played bridge with Dougie & Dr McArthure in evening. July 24.
Missed first boat ashore due to doing a washing. However got over later and went mt climbing with the youngsters. Kate joined us. Found "Echo Hill."
Pages Ouvertes 32
In afternoon Kate & I indulged in hot baths & had a fine afternoon including tea. Played bridge in evening - sound asleep.
July 25. Again went ashore. Kate & I climbed to the cairn again to put her name in the box. Strolled over one hill & met Cost. 'Baldy' Turner. Just going down to beg tea from R.C.M.P. when called to go to the boat - were stopped at the warehouse by downpour. Visited the Moravian Mission before coming back to the ship. It is not used now. The Major was very disagreeable to the missionaries making them walk to the M. mission & then taking us in the boat.
Spent the afternoon sleeping then bidding good-bye to Alan Scott, Charlie Stephen, the Smiths and little Audrey, Cons. Carey & Jackson. Sorry to see the H.B. boys go - they are a cheerful lot. We immediately got under way & it was time for tea. Talked until dinner time. Sea rough in the Straits. A jig-saw puzzle contest organized for evening and of course...
Pages Ouvertes 33
...I had to be smitten with a violent sickness in the midst of it.
Never was sicker in my life. Tried hard to get back to saloon but without any success - gave up & went to bed. Dougie was my partner and he had to leave a very few minutes after I left. He was able to get back. We had a good chance to win if I hadn't departed. Sea rolled like the devil until after midnight.
Events and Places Visited
Date July 26
Place Lake Harbor - Baffin Is.
Weather Warm & clear
Sea calm & serene to-day. First beautiful day. Sun bathed on after deck & took pictures. Two Mounties arrayed in red tunics for church parade. Feeling fine again. Church at 10 30 conducted by Mr Gillespie, missionary going out from Chimo. Very uninspiring. Chief Engineer presided at the organ and some of the sounds it made must...
Pages Ouvertes 34
...have frightened him. Service lasted half an hour as we were approaching Lake Harbour. Anchored before twelve & got ready go ashore. Skipper loaned me his mosquito net a vicious looking contraption of wire like a stove pipe & a long tail of mosquito netting. Found they knew what they were talking about when they said the mosquitoes. They are man-eaters. Flocking all over the ship. However went ashore & found a beautifully trim post. There is sand and all paths are sand. Even a tennis court here. Climbed highest hill. Admired the profusion of wild flowers. Finally rested in the post and Dougie & Dr played billiards. Kate & I slept. Dinner was a nightmare with the beasts. Talked to Wilderspin.
Pages Ouvertes 35
Events and Places Visited
Date July 27
Place Lake Harbor - Baffin Is.
Weather Sunny - warm
Wind enough to relieve the attack of mosquitoes. Everyone seemed to have a bad night with the beasts. Did a washing and went ashore at 10.30 & "flitted" the bathroom & our cabin. Went ashore with Tom and the captain - Mr Stephen didn't like the idea of taking Chippy, but he went nevertheless. Tom & I climbed three hills in less than 20 min. It is climbing when you go with a youngster. After catching our breath we ran all the way down 10 minutes flat.
Tine to rest before coming back on the barge. Mr Dobson & Eddy are never in a great hurry. Kate & Dougie didn't return until 2 o'clock after chasing mica mines instead of jadite. Rested until 5.30, when we discovered we were supposed to be ready to go to R.C.M.P. detachment at that hour. However made the grade & had a grand tea - bread & jam, cookies, tea & coffee - presented with dried...
Pages Ouvertes 36
...buffalo meat - very vile. Lots of mosquitoes. Lazy evening - read played bridge & went to bed to forget hunger. These are beautiful evenings - never gets beyond dusk and the sky takes on a gorgeous brownish shade. Eskimo youngsters seem to be out all night around the boats in their canoes.
Events and Places Visited
Date July 28
Place Lake Harbor & on Hudson Strait
Weather Beautifully sunny
This morning went garnet hunting with Captain. Party consisted of Skipper, Tallmans, Carmichaels, Mr Green, M Haldeman, Kate & I & Mr Edie ("tird" officer). Mosquitoes bad, but lovely view from top of hill and into the bay. No garnets seen, but Kate & I had a swim in a little lake. Not enough water to swim, but at least a swim in Baffin Land. Finally got party together and so back to lunch.
After lunch read & went ashore...
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...to take some last pictures. Lovely and warm out. A bath and tea then said good bye to Turner and Wilderspin. Anchors up and a dash for a drink (no drinks can be bought in post). Mosquitoes nearly ate us alive while farewells were being said. Soon left them behind and became quite cool. A very great fit on to knit & read so missed lecture & pictures on Grey Owl - lecture by Lloyd Roberts. Overcome by sleep very early.
Events and Places Visited
Date July 29
Place Wakeham Bay (Stuparts Bay)
Weather Bright & warm
A bumping in the middle of the night turned out to be ice. Watched out the port & finally Kate & I went on deck in our [kimonos?] but we were nearly through it then (3.30). Glad we saw some ice anyway on our trip. Everyone around very early clamoring to go ashore. We went before 9 o'clock. Low tide and difficult getting ashore - Piggy back with an Eskimo for me.
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Hills here are quite green. Walked back to a lake & crossed a creek getting very wet. Kate & Dougie & I remained together. Mosquitoes fiendish - in spite of all kinds of handkerchief flapping. Climbed a high high [sic] - almost covered with grey moss - unlike the rest of the hills. Very hot & tired. Couldn't find a breeze. Mosq. liked me especially, completely covering me. Bathed bitten ankles in the lake. Dougie very good company - but not so full of stories.
Events and Places Visited
Date July 30
Place Wakeham Bay
Weather Good breeze?
Extremely glad to have a breeze this morning after a wretched evening. Last evening started to play bridge with the chief. Kate & I actually had some cards and were doing nicely when Mr Nichols decided to show his pictures of last year's trip. They were enjoyed by everyone - some of the colored pictures were extremely good - makes me very anxious to continue the trip all the way round. Looked for tea after the show with...
Pages Ouvertes 39
... Sam, but without success, and so to bed. This morning got up my courage to go ashore again in view of the breeze. It was much cooler & very few mosquitoes. Some difficulty in getting us landed in the low tide. Walked along the shore this time & found all kinds of garnets sticking in the rocks like pimples. Very interesting natural arch. Started to climb the hill nearest us, but was almost perpendicular although covered with moss. We could climb only about 25 ft without resting. I went farthest but at that was only about half way up. Coming down much easier. White boat came for us and had great difficulty in getting in until decided to land farther up. Meals taste wonderful these days. This afternoon knit, read, said good bye to the Carmichaels. Felt rather blue to see them being left all by themselves in such an isolated spot. Then tea & we were under way. A small drink before dinner.
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During dinner we ran into ice - half speed. Could hardly wait to get out to the bow. A grand sight to see our little boat plowing thru great chunks of ice. Just before dinner a polar bear & two cubs sighted on the ice - which we in the bow didn't see. After dinner were lucky enough to see two walrus on ice quite close. Also saw interesting flock of eider geese that fly just above the water.
Events and Places Visited
Date July 31st
Place Sugluk West, Que
Weather Fairly cloudy
Passed through heavy ice at breakfast, and in a little while anchored in Sugluk Bay. Very isolated post consisting of about three buildings. An independent trader by name of Solomon Ford had a post here. Of course we went ashore with first boat - and as usual at low tide. Same old difficulty of getting ashore. But the "tird" is quite expert at...
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...transporting passengers. Found a large marsh back of the post infested with mosquitoes. Left Dougie to go exploring on our own. Nearly mired in the marsh, but finally became extragated [sic] and took to the higher hills. Climbed to the top this time and found mosquitoes as bad as ever. However upon coming down a slight breeze sprang up to bring relief. More trouble than ever in embarking.
Everyone else visited Solomon but Kate & I take more interest in the scenery & hills, not liking the smell of the seal skin or Eskimos very much. Dogs in profusion, c very scrawny, vicious-looking dogs. Saw seal skin being stretched on wicker frame.
The "church" very busily engaged marrying & baptizing.
Afternoon spent bathing, washing, sleeping, teaing & watching unloading of cargo.
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Evening spent playing bridge with Yates & Taylor - Dougie very disconsolate at our defection. He had taken biscuits & cheese from dinner table but they were never produced. I am very disgusted the way I fall sound asleep about 9.30, and no matter how much longer we play sleep soundly all the time. Kate & I suddenly realized Man. election had taken place four days ago. No news on the ship.
Events and Places Visited
Date Aug 1st
Place Wolstenholme, Que
Weather Cloudy, windy - cool
Sailed about 3.30 and arrived about 9.45; all posts very close together around here. Will wear out my going-ashore clothes changing them. Changed my mind twice about going ashore but of course went in the end. It was quite cold but no danger of mosquitoes (I was up walking the deck at 7.15 this am.) This is a beautiful spot - high rugged hills on all...
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...sides, and interesting in color. The post is situated above a lovely sand beach & a swift stream curves behind it. The post is as neat and tidy as a pin with walks and whitewash. I wouldn't mind staying here, but they say it is wind-ridden. Kate & I went exploring on our own including visiting the dog corral. (dogs kept in corral here while the skip is in) Followed the stream. Eskimo anchor their little boats in the mouth. Near the mouth the stream has banks of bluish coloured stones. Then they change to rose, yellow, violet, etc. - altogether very attractive. We gathered some specimens. Had a drink of fresh water from the Samous brook. Tried climbing one of the hills just to make sure it was just as shown in the calendar. It was. Great difficulty in getting us embarked to return to ship. Arrived 25 min. late for lunch.
Pages Ouvertes 44
Events and Places Visited
Date Aug 2
Place Wolstenholme & SS. Nascopie.
Weather Fair
Visited shore for last time this morning. Bright to-day and very lovely to be out. Ashore at 9.30 as preacher had to perform a marriage ceremony before 10.30. Captain went along and we all crowded into marriage ceremony keeping some of the Huskies outside. The children baptized yesterday and parents married to-day! Making everything right! Walked to mouth of river with Skipper & Mr Green. Very warm and a delight to be outside. Most of the party returned to ship for church, but a few of us stayed ashore. Climbed hill behind the post. Easier going up than coming down. Kate had to slide down on herself her shoes were so slippery. Just decided to try out a kyak [sic] when white boat came out & we had to rush down the beach or be left on shore. Afternoon said good-bye to Dougie - (weep-weep!) Sailed at 3.45. Captain blew whistle to...
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Tide rip very plain
...startle the birds as we passed their favorite resting place. Air was literally filled with birds - eider ducks. Immediately afterwards had life boat drill - then crew had fire drill. I had a bath and so to Sunday dinner of turkey & ice cream. Evenings continue to be long & uneventful. Sea as calm as a mill-pond to-night, ice is not very thick here. Skipper said he saw a bear but no one else was as lucky.
Events and Places Visited
Date Aug 4
Place Cape Smith & S.S. Nascopie
Weather Misty - moderate temp.
Due to fog in the night didn't arrive Cape Smith until 11 a.m. Last night - moon visible for the first time - full. Disappeared about 11 p.m. in fog. Danced after dinner with Boorman, and slipped out of sing-song. Visited Cyril (a dumb egg) and upon meeting Kate and "Chester" we were lucky enough to wrangle lunch in the officers mess - bread & pork & tea. This morning spent lazily reading, knitting, washing...
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...and playing bridge. Cape Smith almost hidden fog - we are anchored over a mile out - a most unappetizing looking place. Went ashore after lunch on the cargo boat and had one of our most entertaining afternoons. Rocks rough as [climbers?] not a smooth rock anywhere. Looks almost volcanic - many colors. Scrambled down in time to see Huskies in the bay kill a seal by shooting & harpooning it. Home on cargo boat with M. Dobson and aboard by being lifted with the lighter...Then interesting talk with Yates about the North.
Sing-song in evening. Boorman played his violin & Standish his piano accordion. Very pleasant except for the parson. Danced on deck, & then walked the deck for exercise. Maybe we made more noise than the engineers are used to! Due to sail after midnight. Huskies stay on board until actual minute of sailing in hopes of getting something. We found our first Arctic cotton to-day. Mrs. Tallman acquired an antique seal oil lamp. Arctic pidgeons [sic] are black with white on wings.
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Events and Places Visited
Date Aug 5
Place R.M.S. Nascopie
Weather Dense fog
Have been "becalmed" in fog most of the time since leaving Cape Smith. We are not worrying at all. Times are a bit brighter. Debate last night - Victorian clothes vs Modern. Sides Affirm. Chief, Kate, M Lawrence. Negative: L. Roberts, Miss Strang & self. Kate concocted glorious Vict. costume of HBC stores. Took house by storm: Judge - Mr Haldeman - and very able judge. Aff. won by dint of a bribe of a bottle of beer & a cigar.
Tea afterwards in officers mess with stories by Sparks Sr. Excellent story-teller. All well except that we could not ditch the press. Sent home at eleven by M Canthy - as good as a curfew. Hope for the rest of the trip.
Aug. 6. Still in the fog. Moving once in awhile but very little. Almost like rain out. Last night we had a bridge game - Yates, Kate, Lawrence & self. Rest were playing pinochle & cribbage.
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Middle of game retired to Lawrence's room for a very delightful rye & ginger ale drink. After three drinks was able to win the game. Nearly dead from hunger after that (12.30) when Mr Dobson looked into saloon on his rounds, and offered to feed us. Kate & I went with him & were joined by the chief. A real feed was the result much to my gratification.
Aug. [6 or 7]. In the fog all morning with clearings for a few minutes at a time. We turned around a couple of times in endeavor to find a beacon on a hill in the fog. Middle of the afternoon sun suddenly appeared and received with shouts of joy. The coast line appeared lower and smoother than we have been seeing, and practically no snow. Turned around again and about 5 o'clock the beacon sighted. Port Harrison turned out to be well concealed behind a group of black islands. For the first time watched the anchor run out. Everyone ashore after dinner, and place peculiarly deserted - all crew having a most hilarious time. About ten o'clock Cyril appeared & everybody piled out...
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...to exclaim over the moon shining across the water. Went to look at Cyrils' Eskimo ivory, and later had tea in the mess - to which I was supposedly guest of the Chief. Stories were weird & wonderful - Cyril's clapping the climax - perfectly putrid.
Aug. 7. Ashore before nine o'clock. A very attractive post - a regular settlement with HBC and Revillon Frères on one side of river, RCMP on other. More level ground, and quite civilized Huskies. Climbed all over HBC side crossing creeks & old river beds. Just about 11.30 back at post & unexpectedly invited by post manager Alex Smith to have tea. Tea turned out to be tea & Scotch. Afternoon went ashore on Police boat, and we rambled all over the hills all afternoon. Four very pretty falls on the river which were much appreciated but day very cold. Finally back to Police detachment and had a welcome spot of tea. Very choppy sea on the way home, and we took...
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...refuge in cabin. Five in a cabin smoking seems to be a large number. But landing was especially good. Both engineer & helmsman were a bit balmy - result hit the side of the Nascopie a resounding smack - nearly bounced me to pieces. Late for dinner but had very enjoyable hour's talk with Chief & Mr Green in Chiefs cabin. A bath and so to bed.
Aug. 8. Big picnic day. Captain's picnic always held at Harrison. Lunch enough for twenty-five. Went from Post in a freight canoe with about five or six paddling. Camped below first rapid and prepared picnic on a large flat rock, but on the shaded side of the river so bad for mosquitoes. Fishermen departed at once with salt pork for bait. Speckled trout caught in this river. Kate & I got lunch ready but had much difficulty in improvising a can opener. Major arrived when we were practically finished all dressed...
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...in blue serge - apparently had been officiating at court in the village. Afternoon preacher Gillespie Chester & Kate & I went paddling in the huge canoe, I nearly having a fit at Chester's steering. Mosq. terrible on shore so glad when it was time to return to the post. All had a drink at post and then to the Eskimo sports. Great fun. We handed out the prize. Miss Strang awarded prizes for the tug-o-war a plug of tobacco each - accompanied by a hand-shake. Another little drink at the post. The poet threw a fit and tossed Kate & I about. Could cheerfully have killed him - absolutely an objectionable fellow. Evening spent watching bridge in the Mess, then Newfoundland 'cocktail' with Cyril. What a wallop. Amused Kate immensely when I got home. Cyril has the record of getting me tight, but he did not even see me to get the benefit of it.
(top right page: "Marvellous [sic] sunset")
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Events and Places Visited
Date Aug. 9.
Place Port Harrison
Weather Stiff breeze but bright
Glad we weren't out on the open sea to-day, I fear for my stomach! Church on shore this morning. Ten of us including the two preachers. Had to beg a piece of bread at post before going as couldn't eat much breakfast. Invited to stay at post for lunch. The party turned out to be Mr Snow, Mr Stephen, Miss Strang, Kate & I. I rather think Miss Strang was a restraining influence because a new bottle arrived first at the beginning of the meal. Punch was very difficult to prepare!! Consisted in opening cans. Mr Stephen was actually very jovial. Much fun was had by all. Miss S. had to watch us kill the bottle. They have a pen of wild geese in this port - for winter use. Hope picture of the gang here turns out well. Much conversation this evening in mess - about Eskimos, mainly. Sailing at 3.45.
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Events and Places Visited
Date Aug. 10.
Place RMS Nascopie, H. Bay.
Weather
Sailed at 4 o'clock, after an eventful night. Kate & Alex very busy all evening. I had lunch in mess room and then read and talked to Mr Snow until Mounties returned in very hilarious spirits. The most noise there has been in the saloon. Mr. Reid took exception & so did the captain. Finally got Mounties off. Boorman lost the rudder on police boat which might have been a blessing in disguise. Bad time rounding up Smith & HB gang. They were finally off by 1 am and so ship could quieten down. Wakened at four to see Smith beside the bed talking to Kate. In a very polluted condition. Ship was about to sail when Smith gathered his forgotten man and departed. Very good day on board. Made acquaintance of Corporals Martin & Bolstend. Broke the ice by having a drink of gin & gingerale.
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Date Aug. 11.
Place
Weather
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[Blank]
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Cash Account
| July 1st - Supper Det. Lake | 85 | |
| " Hotel Little Falls | 2 | 00 |
| " 2 Breakfast " " | 45 | |
| " Dress | 10 | 00 |
| Lipsall | 26 | |
| Toothbrush | 49 | |
| Fruit | 20 | |
| Lunch | 75 | |
| Supper | 20 | |
| July 3. Hotel - Appleton | 1 | 75 |
| Break " | 30 | |
| Lunch (Flo) | 60 | |
| Ferry | 2 | 50 |
| July 4. Hotel - Saginaw | 2 | 50 |
| Lunch - Windsor | 30 |
Pages Ouvertes 73
Cash Account
| July 4 - misc. | 65 | |
| " supper - Woodstock | 50 | |
| Hotel - Toronto | 1 | 25 |
| July 11 breakfast " | ||
| Lunch | 45 | |
| Supper | 25 | |
| July 13 - bus | 1 | 80 |
| Hose | 3 | 55 |
| Wool | 5 | 00 |
| Powder | 46 | |
| Polish | 26 | |
| Halter | 69 | |
| Blouse | 89 | |
| Tie | 55 | |
| Candy | 1 | 00 |
| Bag | 4 | 95 |
| Hair band & pins | 35 | |
| Hat (Renfrew) | 1 | 90 |
| Pyjamas [sic] (Renfrew) | 2 | 95 |
| Purse | 50 | |
| Taxi | 1 | 00 |
| Tips | 35 | |
| Hotel Mt Royal | 3 | 70 |
