Big Gale from
Nor’ West!
New Year 1902
Wednesday, January 1.
7:30 Wind west, moderate the greatest sight outside ever seen here as the result of one nights gale. Chet says fence on N.W. side, solid with ice and entire house covered with ice. Rope’s all as large as a man’s arm. Utterly impossible to liberate the big boat. If only we had a camera we could make some wonderful pictures.
8:00 Sun shining brightly.
Wind seems to be rising again
Noon~ Wind Fresh. Sun bright
5:00 “ Light
Could get away now if necessary and ready
~
Thursday Jan. 2
Midnight Wind East
10:16 Gale S. Hardest of anything yet from this direction. Windows covered with ice now as every side. Have to go outside to see anything. Brought Chet’s boat into the porch. But wind so strong that we can’t get the wooden ladder that hang’s on South side. I tried to go from west to south corner, but could not do it. Have never before seen wind so hard that I could not make headway against it. The lake white with big combers. A sea crow appeared close off south corner and floated past on east side, always heading towards the wind. It didn’t appear to be at all worried. When a comber came along the bird would dive under it, and come out smiling on the other side.
Noon Gale seeks up full strength.
7:30 “ Hard as ever. One of the grandest sights I have even seen, on this old lake.
Big Gale!
One of the big rocks at E. corner has banged all day at the rate of about 600 blows per hour and it seems to have the force of a pile-driven. It shakes the whole building every time. The cellar door is lifted sometimes several times each minute by fence of air drawn out of the well in the cellar by the water rushing in. The force of the waves makes the building tremble so that sometimes one can almost imagine ones-self riding on a load of hay.
Waves run much higher to-day than I have ever seen them.
Water nearly two inches deep on S.E. side. Kept so by flying spray and running off like a brook water flies on to the roof. Chamber windows as well as those on lower story all iced over. Neither Chet nor I will ever forget these two Great Gales! The one that ushered the old 1901 year out and the new one in and that of Jan. 2,1902.
10:30 Gale continues hard as ever.
Friday, Jan 3
AM Wind and West. Light. Don’t know when gale subsided.
Chet and I got up at 5:30 and got things ready for him to leave here, which he did in the scoop at about 6:30. Showed lantern at point at 7:45 to let me know he had landed safely. It wasn’t very light when he started and I hated to have him go. We put the boat over on S.E. side and I let him down with the anchor rope. The outside of this house, the walk, ropes, trailing, and the boat as well is a sight to behold. The fence is almost solid and the space between it and the house is very much diminished. Sent letter to Case and card to Mfr of coloring book.
8:30 Wind West Rising white caps show considerably. Sunny and pleasant. Thermometer frozen into the boat and covered with ice.
Noon Wind Quite Fresh, West sun still shining
2:15 Wind Gale. N.W. a sudden rise. Still sunny.
“ Fresh “
Opened door at E. Corner, and knocked off most of the ice on the blinds on S.E. side. Chores for night-all done up.
10:00 Gale again a dry pleasant day if it had not been so cold. Fixing my fountain pen.
11:00 Gale, wind still rising. Blowing hard.
Saturday Jan 4
Mid “ “ Continues “ “ going to bed. Dark and cloudy.
9:30 Wind N.W. Moderate, sun shining pleasantly. Some stream. A cold night.
10:00 Wind N.W. Light, good sun, some steam,
Noon “ West Light “ “
A fine day. Thawing on S.E. side. Have knocked ice off blinds and windows on S.E. side so blinds can be closed.
The 11:30 PM. train S. was late and for some reason was stopped a short time just S. of the pass while 4 or 5 men with hand cars were doing something to the road. S. of Benlaw. Pared some apples for pies & sauce. good time for Chet to come over if he was only ready.
4 P.M. 5º wind weak. Very light and lovely P.M.
Finished baking pies (apple) and chores done for the night. Breakfast at 9 A.M.
4:20. 4º Wind shifted south, light. Going to be a cold night.
11:00 4º Wind S fresh. Starlight.
Saturday January 5
Noon 18º wind south fresh all the A.M. Cloudy and stormy all around
6:00 20º Wind S. Fresh “ “ “ “ “
Looks like rain I think. Air quiet and dank.
Monday January 6
Midnight Situation unchanged
Another lonesome day
Shall look for Chet tomorrow
11:15 AM 25º Wind S. Light all the A.M.
Growing warmer
Chet has been here and has just left in his scoop. Brought lots of mail, so I am not liable to be lonesome today much. Air quite dank. Looks very much like a storm of some kind before many hours.
11 PM Wind still S+ quite light
Starlight overhead.
A nice letter from Mary + Blanch Ingram and one from Arrighi.
Blocks and Ropes at Burlington
I had almost rather stay here then go ashore anyway. So lonely as near are not liable to be together after I got them.
This has been a very fine day. No wind, sun clear, good air, and everything about it as perfect as one could wish. Fine sleighing on shore especially in the city. Sent 3 saw- blades by Chet for Charlie to file. The stillness tonight is almost awful.
Not a ripple of the water, not a sound of the wind, nothing, but the ticking of my two clocks to break the quiet of the evening.
Although the ice has at times floated in nearly every direction the general tendency has been southward. A little smoky this evening, but not as much as last night. Sky looks hazy, though a few stars are looking out.
Friday January 10
Midnight 16º Ice moves occasionally, but by the sound I judge it to be somewhat thicker then by daylight. Reading any mail. The issue of Boston Journal of Jan’s is an unusually interesting one for me. Louis Bitzer of my own town, shot his female clerk, his wife and three children, in Starbuck Block. Was never acquainted with him, though I have seen him many times. Very dark tonight. Not a star to be seen, and Burlington lights not to be seen; only a dim reflection.
Hope we may have it warm enough to thaw ice off ropes, if Chet is bound to have gone ashore. But an almost rotten stay, here for them to go.
Noon 24° Wind since morning south, light, but slowly rising. Large fields of floating ice have been certainly floating southward. Everything now clear to the Northeast.
Air since morning full of fine snow and frost. A little snow fell during night and early morning sun nearly shone a short time ago, but now it is entirely obscured, and I see indications that lead me to look for a storm at an early date. A duck of some kind has been near here for an hour on land.
I think she has been shot for her feathers are disarranged and she flutters around shaken herself every time when she rises to the surface after diving in
8:30 PM 18° Wind north, very light as it has been all this PM. Lots of ice floating past this PM. Think it might have come from Plattsburg. Somehow I cant set myself to doing anything. I aught to do a weeks work tomorrow, and I must break up and make a bluff out of nothing more.
If only we had a sun, today would have been a third fine one. It has been dark and cloudy however, though with very little wind. It seems quite remarkable to have three days in succession with as little wind. But very likely rain if now at a great pace.
Chet was married this evening, Friday January 10
Saturday, January 11
10AM 25° South wind, moderate with light snow, since daylight. Wind is now the hardest for four days. I think we will have a warmer spell now, but of course I may be mistaken.
PM 28° Wind South hard breeze
Sun almost shining
4:00 25° Wind Northeast light
6:00 24° Wind North light, very dark. Nothing visible outside, at 4, it looked very much like snow I thought.
Have been busy all day but haven’t done anything after all, regulated cupboards in air room and kitchen. Made two-quart jars of red cabbage and pickles, three pies and cooked potatoes. I hope Chet wont come before Monday and Tuesday.
Tuesday looks to be warm enough, I was unless it grows warmer, and then I must stay inside. The ice still sticks tightly and I can’t lower the boat.
Sunday 12
18º Another Gale. N.W. But not a big one. It has been blowing near all night and has been snowing also.
Gale continues. Snow as thick that nothing of land can be seen. It seems to be slowly and steadily rising.
P.M. About noon and immense ice field passed South Easterly in a late hour, cutting off a small portion of the northern end.
It has snowed more or less all day, and it has been fresh most of the time.
Have done considerable work today, and I hope Chet would come tomorrow, but I am not yet sure.
Monday 13
9:20 P.M Wind NW all day
Gale all A.M. Fresh snow most of P.M.
Light this evening and quite cloudy.
Took bath last night. Today has been picking up a little, but only a little for I am not feeling very cold.
Made all my red cabbage and some sour pickles, have about two jars.
Hope Chet would come tomorrow, for I have all day offs, and I have no other plans.
10:30 P.M. Big fire in Burlington. Broke out about an hour ago, now seems to be under control.
Tuesday 14
1:10A.M. Wind N.W. Ice Field passing and crashing on the rocks. Wind S.E. light. Ice passing back.
8:40 Wind East light. Thin ice forming
9:45 Wind shifting to south
Sun rose clear and is shining brightly. With shifting of the wind, the windows are suddenly covered with frost.
Lots of ice between here and the point (very thin).
Noon 8º Wind S Fresh
Ice all over north at 11. All clear now.
Sun clear and bright all the A.M.
Shall not expect Chet today
4:00 10º Wind S almost a gale.
5:00 13º “ Easier, but pretty fresh.
10:00 Wind S Gale again
Wednesday 15
9 A.M. 20º Wind S Almost a gale. Hazy. Sun not clear
S light flurry of snow last night. Just enough to track a rabbit.
Fish Shanties by the dozen beyond the R.R. in the bay. Must look over my tackle and get ready to join the gang when I got ashore.
11:45 24º Chet started from Pr. At 10:40 with an awful S breeze flowing. He reached here all right, with milk + mail. Went directly back, as wind was rising.
Wind blew him away down past Benlaw towards the Pass, but he got through a lot of floating ice under the lee of Benlaw and then he was all right.
Before he reached shore the water was coming in waves to the walk.
12:40 P.M. 27º Gale continues South. Very happy on smoky. Looks like rain I think. I am looking in I am looking for a thaw now, in a few days. Straightening nails that I look out of my old shack on shore last fall.
4:00 25º Looks warmer, but I don’t feel so.
Wind easier but fresh from the S
Watched for Chet after he reached Benlaw, bud did not see him at all after that.
My old rocking chair that went through the hurricane August 6 1900 has been getting pretty weak lately, as today I have been gluing it all over.
9:20 PM 26º Wind S. Brisk. Very Dark
Thursday 16
7 AM 26º Wind S. Light. Back and cloudy and men in a while a few flakes of snow.
Noon 33º Commencing to thaw; but the ice still clings. I have been trying it.
4:00 Snow squall.
Look for shift of wind from W. or N.W.
5:00 Violet just had a fit. She tore around here like a wild cat. Jumped on the table and broke a bowl and now up off the stairs. It made the cold chills run up my back. It scared me so, I was just lighting the lantern. I should dare to let her run loose any more. I am afraid shall have to kill her. She has been lots of company for me here and I rather just almost anything than to loose her.
I hope it will be so that Chet will come tomorrow for I don’t care to stay here much longer.
5:20 Wind shift’d to N. W. light, and snowing a little.
9:00 18º Violet came down when I called her, (she had run up stairs) acting almost scared to death. Her eyes looked queer and she walked unsteadily, I opened a can of beef and gave her some which she ate and also some biscuit. But she went back into the hall as I fixed up a nice little bed in the clothes basket where she had taken refuge, and perhaps she will be all right in the morning.
Have felt chilly all the evening since the cat started me so.
10:00 The wind tonight is very unsteady. Squalls are frequent and pretty hard, but so far haven’t lasted long enough to get up much of a swell.
10:10 There is a nice half moon and the stars are shinning brightly. It must be a lovely night on shore. I want to go ashore but I hate to after all.
Friday 17
Midnight Violet is better. I gave her a little more meat. She was hid away upstairs under the bed. Her eyes look better but not right. She seems stronger. Every little noise seems to frighten her. Guess I will let her stay up stairs if she wants to.
7 AM 0º Wind N.E. White Frost covers everything
8:00 Called Violet and she came down. I gave her little meat and biscuit. Appetite seemed good, and she appears as if she was in a strange place for the first time.
9:00 0º She is now teasing for breakfast, so I guess I had better get some for both of us.
The wind is quite fresh this morning and steam is quite heavy, as I shall not expect Chet today unless a change occurs before noon, which I think is not likely.
I finished Arrighi’s letter last night. Eight pages of closely written double lined. Guess he will have an hour job reading it all right.
Noon 0º Cold as ever Wind N. what then is of it.
Very light wind, almost calm.
AM Steam continues to rise. Looking for Chet.
1:00 0º Wind N.W. very light. Steam continues.
Sun bright and clear all of the morning, but don’t thaw any on south side. A pretty cold day. I have got pretty well straightened out, and about ready to go ashore if Chet was only here now to take me along. Guess he will wait for a warmer day before he comes again.
6. P.M. 2º At 5 o’clock the lake to the West and the South was covered with ice for as far as I could see with the wind Northeast. Wind now Southeast and ice half an inch thick is floating toward Plattsburgh.
At 4 o’clock, ice covered everything from here to the Point and Benlaw.
This has been what may be called steady cold weather to day for the thermometer and Northeast side has not varied over 2o in all day.
If Chet had come today we could have locked up all right but I guess after all that he did well to wait. I think we will have a warmer spell after one or two days more.
Violet ate her supper all right, and, she has played quite a lot today, (This P.M.) Hope she will never have another such a time.
7:00 6º Wind South. Good fresh breeze driving immense field of ice towards Canada. There is a nice moon and stars, and one can see the ice moving a long distance. This continually breaking and crashing around the ripraps. I begin to think that I may go shoreward on the ice yet.
Have got a bad crick in my back since half an hour ago. First felt it as I sat sewing, and finally had to give it up for to night. I have been pretty busy all day, so I think I will now read a while. Wind South and a Gale, though not a big one.
Fire in sitting room went out while I was putting a patch on Watkins’s sail.
Back aches pretty bad and I am going to bed. Made a pain of “toes” such as grandma tried to make for grandpa to wear over his stockings inside his boots, I made them out of some old mittens to rolled and mend but just good enough for that purpose.
January 18 Saturday
9:45AM Wind S. Gale
Sun rose very red this morning.
No ice in sight except along shore to the eastward. Violet just had another fit. She seemed unusually well and lively this morning. Had just been playing with her, in fact was playing with her when all at once she stopped, trembled and fell down, and had an awful time of it for a full minute before she came out of it. I am afraid I shall have to lose her after all.
11:00 15º Wind S. Gale
A little warmer than yesterday. Pretty cloudy, however, and I think it looks a little bit stormy. Gale increasing in force
Noon 18º
3:00 23º Gale steadily. Ripraps pound pretty hard and frequently. Looks like storm and air feels quite damp.
6:00 26º Wind S. but a little easier. We have a good moon somewhere, but it is nowhere in evidence at this time. Looks very much like rain I think. Well, there are thirteen more days in this month, and I can get along all night until the first of July if necessary, but I shall want a new supply of eatables of some kinds by that time. If the cat was only well I should feel more contented. If I don’t go ashore next time Chet comes, I will try to have him take her with him so she can have mice or something different to eat.
8:00 28º Temperature continues to rise slowly, but the gale which seemed to loose power at 6 o’clock, has now fully regained it and seems likely to hold it all night. Very dark and cloudy. The pounding of that rock against that wall at E. corner is fearful. I wish I had an almanac of some kind.
Sunday January 19 1902
12:05 A.M. 28º Wind S. Easier, decidedly.
Has been snowing a very little.
1:20 Wind shifting to west. Pretty fresh.
8:00 Gale from West all night.
10:00 20º Easier, a little, Snow squalls round.
11:00 Clearing in the West. Wind dropping slightly. Hope we may have a few warmer, pleasant days after this.
Noon 18º Same temperature as yesterday.
Wind West. Fresh, Sun warm and pleasant but clouds shut it out occasionally.
1:00 16º Wind shifted to N.E. Squalls off that direction.
Looking over my fishing tackle.
4:20 8º Wind shifted to North, very light, a lot of big ice blocks 4 to 6 inches thick went to S.W. between 3 and 4 o’clock. All clean again between here and Benlaw and Point. Going to be a cold night, and if wind drops just a little more ice will cover between here and shore before midnight, I think.
Made a few pies, and baked a Johnny cake this P.M.
6:00 Ice nearly halfway from the point to this place, and beautiful moon, and stars. Not a cloud to be seen. Shall look for Chet tomorrow.
10:00 5º Almost calm. Ice from here to Hogback, and from there to Benlaw and 2/3 of the way from the point to here. Few stars. Seems to be a little hazy. Must get up early tomorrow morning and get ready to move if Chet should come.
10:10 Wind suddenly shifted to West or S.W. very light and lots of steam coming with it.
Monday January 20, 1902
Midnight 4º Wind S.W. light, Moon and starlight
Ice nearly here from Island and Point
4:15A.M. 2º No wind. Everything covered as far as I can see in every direction. Steam prevent an extended view.
7:00 1º Wind S.E. Light. White Frost covers everything. All on N. side of rods in the fence,
Ice moving somewhere to the S.E. Can hear but cannot see it, steam too thick.
7:15 Ice here, or a strip of it, but it does not go past the L.H.; only breaks on the rocks.
Ice nearly an inch thick, I should judge.
7:20 Ice stopped moving.
Sun rising. Don’t see how Chet can get here
7:40 Ice started again.
9:00 6º Ice continues to move. What I thought was steam the morning is white frost. The air is full of it. Cannot yet see the shores distinctly.
Sun very pleasant
Wind more South than it was.
Ice piling up in windows, all around like breast works around a fort.
9:20 The ducks fly southward this morning, so I shall look for Northerly winds tomorrow.
11:00 9º Frost continues to make shores indistinct. I couldn’t see Chet if he was there, but even if he was there, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to attempt a trip across the ice under present conditions. A pretty good breeze is now springing up and the roar and crashing of the ice is great. I think it must be an inch and a half thick by this time.
Noon 8º Wind S. good breeze. Frost still in the air. Sun bright and clear only for the frost.
Mending clothes
1 P.M. 8º Ice has stopped moving, and I think unless a big wind breaks it up within the next 2 to 4 hours, it is here to stay, and I think that by tomorrow
Lake frozen over today or next day it will be pretty near safe to go ashore. .
3:30 A beautiful day. Light S. Wind.
10:00 A beautiful night. Very little air stirring.
Moon and stars, but stars not plenty.
Rather hazy or frosty: perhaps both,
Wind S. light.
Writing to Mrs. Hines.
Tuesday 21
1 A.M. Wind rising, south. Growing hazy.
7:00 “ “ 20 degrees. S. looks like snow
9:00 “ “Snowing. Can’t see shore.
9:20 “ “ “ but not very hard
Shall begin to look for Chet before long.
Chet appeared on shore at 11. I blew the shell, and shout out and walked back and forth on S.E. side as agreed to let him know we were all right. I made a megaphone and yelled at him just now but guess he couldn’t hear me, the wind blown so. He was trying the ice and I was afraid he would try to come over. But there is a black line of water and rough too, away south, only three or four miles, and if this wind keeps up it may be here at any unexpected time.
But Chet has now started for home, so I guess he understood my signal.
1 P.M. 25º Snowing again quite hard. Fixed the lock on the kitchen door (outside) so that if we decided to leave by that door we can lock it securely. Now we are just going to have breakfast.
28º No wind. Fine snow falling. If Chet was only at the Point now, I think I could talk with him as if it\s very still. Finished gluing and nailing my old arm chair with exception of putting in the rocker. Maybe I won’t put them on at all.
10:30 P.M. 26 º Hazy but moonlight and no wind. The continued quiet, no sound of water on the rocker, or rushing of wind almost makes me lonesome. I wonder when I will get away. Seeing so many fish shanties makes one almost wish to be the owner of one, myself, and to engage in the profession of a fisherman.
Wednesday, 22
Midnight 26º Snowing. No wind to speak of. Reading “Susan Fielding,” and writing to Mrs. Hines.
32º A January thaw.
9:00 “ “ Wind N. a little rain and looking like a wet day. The ice seems to be breaking up for certain, a very large section of it away S. and extending entirely across the lake from Star Farm beach has broken away, and goes southward leaving a great strip of water between. I thought the ice had come to stay, but I think I shall have reason to change my mind very soon if the present temperatures and wind continues. Crows are calling on shore. This is the first time I have heard one this winter.
There is a big squall of snow I think and wind I know, away to the South of Burlington and it looks to be working this way. The ice around the station is cracking and heaving, as it has not done before. In places, many and some of them quite large, water covers the ice and I guess a general smash up is imminent.
5 P.M. 30º Ice all covered with water
Wind N.W. very light.
Sunset without any signs of a sun. Looks stormy all round. Has thawed considerable here today. Ice all off the blinds, but not out of the back. (over)
20º Mending shirt this p.m. till my head aches. The cat says its supper time and I guess she’s right.
Midnight 30º Wind blows with a sound I have never heard before at this place. Looks stormy. At 10 minutes of 12 a noise like a cannon almost apparently close by the NW. side startled me, and the whole structure was shaken for an instant. Probably a break in the ice, but don’t know. Heard the same thing at quarter to five.
Thursday, 23 On Shore.
8:30P.M In the old big Chamber at Camp again. At 11 A.M. Chet came over and we shut up the house in a hurry, and with things we could bring, came ashore. Ice about 2 inches thick and he could in a rod anywhere. Hard west wind blowing and ice soon breaking off in large sections every little while. Was afraid to have him come and signaled him not to come, but he was bound to have me ashore if possible as travel and communication between L.H. and shore is very uncertain and dangerous now. We brought a few of my clothes and the cat. Poor Violet was scared almost to death and when we got here she would pay no attention to me whatsoever.
Chet went to Colchester and left me here. Couldn’t make a fire big enough to cook anything tonight with only with wet wood to burn. I think that is one of the most discouraging things in the world to contend with and was one of the greatest reasons I hate to leave the L.H.
When we reached shore the ice had broken away to within half a mile of the L.H. though it was at least two and a half miles away this morning. Shouldn’t be surprised if it was out all around there by tonight.
Charlie killed one of his pigs today. Weighed 140 lbs. Edson came down to help weigh it. Cut it in two and brought it in.
It is a lovely night. Full moon and very little wind, but mighty cold out of doors.
Had supper with Charlie and Tessa.
Friday, 24
Lovely morning. Didn’t sleep very much. Back and legs hurt so. Charlie’s cut up pig. Chet and I went to city. Clothes didn’t fit at all.
P.M. 9. Home from city all right with goods and groceries. Got for my personal adornment overalls, cap, + socks inside rubber overshoes. Got magazines from Arrighi. Called at Barstow’s this evening.
Saturday, 25
Charlie and I shod Blackhawk. I made toes and filled two shoes. Charlie did the rest. I think I deserve great credit as a teacher, for after watching me, Charlie went to work and beat me and didn’t more than half try. I made a handle for Will Coate's pick and fixed it up for him.
Went over to Porters and got ice tongs to take up to Will and see if they are his. Stopped at Hardy’s only a few minutes. Only Bruno’s and Adrian’s Mother there. Charlie and Tess went to city tonight to stay till tomorrow night. Violet and I left to keep house. Gave Syd a few beets.
Sunday, January26
Edson came down to see about chores this mng. I took care of them. Couldn’t feed hens as I couldn’t find key. Good fire in my kitchen. Got good square dinner. Baked some biscuits O.K. Stove is a good one when one have something to make a fire of. Regulated things; looks better there. Charlie and Tess and a cousin Richard Feeney from Canada came with them.
Hard wind all day, W. and S. Heard a roaring in on South beach, so I think the ice must be broken up again.
Monday, 27
Just a comfortable day, but quite a cold night. Chet came down about 9:20 and we went fishing, but didn’t seem to get a bite. Water 3 in. deep on ice. Very hard walking; so slippery. Burnt up a lot of old papers and waste this morning. Chet took dinner with me. First time we have ever eaten a meal together in the kitchen. Eden and Bill here this evening and Charlie and Feeney and I played Euchre. They skunked us once and we beat them twice on ten point games. Went for mail and stopped at Barstow's. Thora gave me a point or two on making doughnuts. A gale is blowing tonight from the south and west but the water is going on to the roof of the lighthouse. Have been looking over and sorting a lot of old papers since Edson went home, and it is now midnight. I think it strained my back and kidneys somewhat going out on the ice today.
Wednesday, 29
Brought in a bag of popcorn + dug out the mowing machine. Richard Feeney went away.
Thursday, 30
Fine day. Charlie worked for Douglas first day baling hay. Edson drove him and carried Frank Wards boathouse at McNolls Bay.
Peter B and wife here this PM.
Smoked some salt meat in a bbl. Chet and I took traverse sleigh out of sky parlor. Frank Ward told me what Chet ought to have told me before any one else ever did.
Friday 31
Chet and I went to L.H. with Cutter and got load of things. Awfully rough surface on broad lake. Had good luck and everything all right. Hi and Harry at Benlaw with two new fish shanties.
Everybody gone from here all day.
Charlie and Tess came home around 7:30 and brought Rachael and Jim.