Weddell Seal, 1844
The Zoology of the voyage of the H.M.S. Erebus and Terror under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross during the years 1839 - 1843...
Hurley's Journal November 10, 1915
Latitude - 68, 34 S.
Longitude - 52, 12 W.
Contentment reigns in the camp, as the foraging parties brought in four seals, sufficient for dogs and men for 10 days. The seals emerge from junctions or cracks in the floe, to sun themselves lazily in the warm lee of the hummocks, and to sleep off the somniferous effects of over-feeding. One may sit and study them from but a few yards distance, when they will gaze drowsily at you, stretch and yawn luxuriously, and fall off to sleep again. Ashore, the Weddell is the most phlegmatic creature I know of. His very shape - resembling a gigantic slug - suggests sloth and lassitude: but the water is his element, and I have watched him gliding superbly, or sporting in the leads, the perfection of sinuous grace. Poor creatures! how unfortunate for you that your flesh is so excellent and your blubber burns so well! The blubber stove gives every satisfaction, and enables the chef to prepare meals punctually and with facility. He has produced some esteemed bannocks, by rolling out dough and baking on a hot iron plate. Our present bill of fare is all that could be desired, allows a considerable variety in meals.
The camp routine is as follows:
Camp arise at 8 a.m., breakfast 8:30. Generally fried seal steak with bannock and tea. Routine duties viz seal scouting, tidying camp, etc., till 1 p.m. Lunch variable, (to-day boiled suet rolls, the cook was subject to a severe ranting for allowing dirt to contaminate the pudding cloth). Afternoon is spent at individual's discretion, reading, walking, etc. Generally seal or penguin hoosh at 5:30 p.m., and cocoa. Turn into sleeping bags immediately after. Take an hour's watch each alternate night.
留言