Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-08-17
TWEEN DECKS OF THE FROZEN
SHIPS.

Before we enter upon the subject OF
returning spring, and the new occupations
and excitement which it called forth, let
me try to convey the idea of 4 day spent
in total darkness, as far as the sum was
concerned. Fancy the lower deck and
cabins of ship lighted entirely by can
dies and oil-lamps every aperture by
which exernal air could enter, unless un-
der control, carefully secured, and all
doors double to prevent draughts. 1t is
breakfast time, and reeking hot cocoa
from every mess-table is sending up a
dense vapor, which, in addition to the
breath of so many souls, fills the space
between decks with mist and Jog. Should
you po on deck-and remember you go
from so degrees above zero to 40 degrees
below it, in eight short stePs-a column
of smoke Will be seen rising through GER
tain apertures called ventilators, whilst
others ale supplying a current OF pure air.
Breakfast done-and from the jokes and
merriment, it has been good one-there
is a general pulling on of warm clothing,
and the major part of the officers and men
go on deck. A few remain, to clean and
clear up, arrange for the dinner, and re-
move any damp or ice that may have for
hours This done, muster of all hands,
called "a divisions took place.
Officers inspected the men and every
part of the snip to see that both were
clean, and then they dispersed to their Sc
veral duties, which at this severe season
were very light; indeed, confined main
Iy to Supplying the cook with snow to
melt for water, keeping the fre-hoIe in
the floor open. and sweeping the decks.
Knots of two or three would, if there
was not strong gale blowing, be seen
taking exercise at distance from the
vessels, and others, strolling under the
lee, discussed the past and ProPhesied as
to the future. At noon, soups, preserved
meats, or salt-horse formed the seaman S
dinner, with the addition of preserved po-
tatoes, treat which the gallant fellows
duly appreciated. The officers dined
somewhat later-2 P. NJ. A little after
noon exercise was then taken, and the
evening meal of tea was next partaken of.
1t was school night, the voluntary pupils
went to their tasks, the masters to their
posts; reading men producing their
books, writing-men their desks; artists
painted by candle-ight and cards,
chess, or draughts, combined with con-
versation, and an evenings glass of grog,
and cigar or pipe, served to bring round
bedtime again. Monotony was our enc
my, and to kill time our endeayor hard
ship, there was none for all we under
went in winter-quarters, in the shape of
cold, hunger, or danger was voluntary
Monotony, as I again repeat, was the on
ly disagrecable part of our wintering at
Grifith's Island. Some men among us
seemed, in their temperament, to be much
better able 20 endure this mouotouy than
others and others, who had no source
of ofamusement-such as reading, writing,
or drawing-were much to be Pitied.
Nothing struck one more than the
strong tendency to talk of home and Eng
land: it became quite disease. We, for
the most part, spoke as if all the most af-
fectionate husbands, dutiful sons and at
tached brothers. had found their way into
the arctic expedition.-Shay leaves from
an Arctic Journal 5y Lieutenant Osborne.