A determined hagiography of Lockwood, based on his journals before his death towards the end of the Greely expedition. But Lockwood does come across here as one of the most level-headed participants in the expedition.
p. 6, on passage from Greenland to Lady Franklin Bay in July 1881: Lt. Lockwood was in good spirits, and amused himself by reading Kennan’s interesting book on Siberian life.
p. 68: Lockwood, who seemed never to be idle, now finished Barrow and took up Captain Nares’s “British Expedition of 1875-76,” reading, writing, and Bowditch occupying much of his time.
p. 71, re Inspector Smith at Disco whose house stood near the water: A piano, a small billiard-table, a well-filled book case, carpets, pictures, and many other evidences of civilization and even elegance were there.
p. 74, visiting homes on the island: The walls were adorned with rough prints of illustrations from European and American papers. In one house was seen a translation of the Psalms into Esquimaux. Their words are run together, as in the German language…. He was surprised to find that these people had a paper currency, the units being the ocre and the crown.
p. 94: On Sunday, the 28 of August, all work was suspended, and some appropriate notice was taken of the day. Lieutenant Greely read a chapter in the Bible, having previously stated that any one would be excused from attending the service who had conscientious scruples.
p. 102, by late September: Lockwood’s time was now chiefly occupied in drawing maps, making finished drawings from sketches, reading, and sledge-work.
p. 108: In Payer’s “History of the Austrian Expedition to Franz-Josef Land,” Lockwood found much of interest in connection with the requirements for a sledge-journey—details of clothing and other matters best suited to fit one to stand the cold. The book he considered of great value to any novice in Arctic sledging.
p. 109, at Fort Conger: The men seemed comfortable and contented. They had a bath-room and bath-tub, with hot and cold water ready at hand, and books and periodicals in abundance.
p. 115: About this time [Oct. 16] Lockwood took up a course of Arctic literature, with which they were liberally supplied. This was chiefly in view of his sledge-journey in the coming spring.
p. 120: During a period of dullness at the station, Rice and Henry projected a newspaper, to be called the “Arctic Moon,” and Lockwood, to whom, also the idea had occurred, agreed to join them as one of the editors. They wanted something to dispel the monotony which was depressing all hands, as all were tired of reading, of cards, and other games, while two of Lockwood’s room-mates were gloomy and taciturn. To counteract this, he resumed his reading, especially history and travels—anything but novels. Kane’s work interested him especially, and he considered him a remarkable man, courageous, energetic, and determined. Their own manner of life just then reminded Lockwood of a rainy day in the country intensified. “Yet,” says he, “why not be contented? Books and leisure afford an opportunity for reading and studying which we may never have again. We have a warm comfortable house, plenty of food, and other things which many are without. Life in this world is just what one chooses to make it. Man can make of it a heaven or a hell.”
p. 121: True to his intellectual instincts, Lockwood formed a class in geography and grammar, consisting of Ellison, Bender, Connell, and Whistler, while Lieuteant Greely taught them arithmetic. On the 22 of November appeared, with a flourish of trumpets, the first number of the “Arctic Moon.” Of course the editors thought it a great success. It had for the frontispiece a sketch of the house, drawn by Lockwood, while Rice made fair copies of the paper by the hectograph process—enough for all, and many to spare.
p. 123: On the 14th of December appeared the second number of the “Arctic Moon,” which was thought to be an improvement on number one, and was well received. Lieutenant Greely gave a lecture on the “Polar Question.”
p. 124: Speaking of Arctic literature, Lockwood] says:Hayes’ book, though beautifully written, is far below that of Kane as to information and reliability. No one who has been up Smith’s Sound can fail to notice this.
p. 125, Lockwood on Jan. 9: I have been looking up the subject of nautical astronomy for some time past….
p. 133ff, Chapter X is devoted to “The Arctic Moon.” and its production, quoting from articles on Christmas, New Year, and other miscellaneous topics.
p. 163-64, during a difficult sledge journey in early April 1882, Lockwood is found reading “King Lear” in his sleeping bag.]
p. 207-8, Lockwood: Have been reading of Kane and his travels. He is my beau ideal of an Arctic traveler. How pitiful that so bold a spirit was incased in so feeble a frame! Why is Nature so inconsistent? In the Arctic his health seems to have been fair. He of all his advance party escaped the scurvy. It was his spirit, doubtless, that kept him up. Hayes does not compare with him. Though beautifully written, there is an air of exaggeration about Hayes’ book, which destroys its interest. Doctor Pavy, who has hitherto been the advocate of Hayes, since his return from Carl Ritter Bay seems to have changed his mind about him, and now agrees with Greely and me that Hayes never reached Cape Lieber. To have done so, he must have performed in part of his journey ninety-six miles in fourteen hours—an impossibility.
p. 208: Our stock of reading matter, unfortunately, is limited except in Arctic books. One must live up here within himself, and is unfortunate if dependent on others for happiness….
p. 213-14: Our supply of books comprises only novels and Arctic literature. A few really solid books of history, biography, essays, etc., are much to be desired, though, under the circumstances, I suppose it would be difficult to concentrate one’s mind on them.
p. 215, daily routine: Our lamps now burn all day. How wearisome this constant artificial light becomes, we know from the experience of last winter. I dread it under our present social relations. Even Lieutenant Greely refers to these as intensifying what would otherwise not much distress him. At noon, a walk to Proteus Point if possible. Afterward, read or sleep till dinner at four. Then a few games of chess with Lieutenant Greely or checking with the Esquimaux. Then read a little French or a good deal of whatever I find most interesting. Then to my army-bunk, to sleep till next morning, when the same routine is repeated. [The illustration opp. p. 215 shows Lockwood’s corner of the Fort Conger hut, complete with writing desk and bookshelves. ]
p. 219: Contrary to his resolve, a few days later he [Lockwood] commenced reading novels. His feeling was that they withdraw one from one’s self, which is something gained; but they put one up in the clouds from which it is often painful to descend. They cause the reader to live for a time in an ideal world, and bring him back to the stern reality with a sense of disappointment.
p. 278: Have been reading the authorities on glaciers, and regret I did not inform myself better before going out. But perhaps that Chinese Wall will make up for my short-comings.
p. 284, Aug 5, 1883: As the time for moving approaches, I feel a singular apathy. If we had plenty of fresh meat and more good books, I could stand another winter here.
p. 292: A second effort was made by Rice and a party to reach Cape Sabine, which was successful. They not only brought news about the wreck of the Proteus, but also a copy of the Army Register for 1883, in which appeared Lockwood’s name as a first lieutenant.
p. 294, on Oct. 23, 1883 Lockwood built a cairn on Cape Sabine, with a note in lead-pencil: This cairn contains the original records of the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, the private journal of Lieutenant Lockwood, and a set of photographic negatives. The party is permanently encamped at a point midway between Cape Sabine and Cocked-Hat Island. All well.
p. 299: …nor did the exiles omit the reading of a few chapters from the Bible [before their Thanksgiving meal].