July 4 - 6, 1862

D. D. Baxter Master. Written by J. T. Duntlin 1st Officer

Friday July 4th 1862

Had a fine pleasant day wind from E.S.E. steering S.E.N. and S.W. and S.E.. I have been engaged in building a house for Dixie and I finished it for him to sleep in tonight. He had been lying down in it and feels awful proud of it.

We kept the fourth of July today as well as we could. We had 3 kinds of cake besides pie for supper. And a fresh brew I suppose that there will be many a sore head tomorrow morning. I wish I could be at home this evening.

Lat 28 56 N Long 52: 50” W

Saturday July 5th

Had light winds from E.N.E & E.S.E steering NE & SE during the fore noon. Painted the mast Boat and this afternoon I commenced to paint mine when a rain squall come up and tortured me for an half hour or so. However finished daubing her. We are all anxious to see some sperm whales and get some too. but I suppose we must wait our time.

Lat 28 38 N Long 52 20 W

Sunday July 6th

We have had a very pleasant day indeed. and it would have been much pleasanter had we an hundred barrel sperm whale to work upon. This forenoon I had look at all the minatures and at other articles I have in my chest. It has been most awful warm all day long. We saw Grampuses1 and porpoises.

Lat 28 51 N Long ?2 09 W

1 There is an old maritime word grampus (plural grampuses) meaning a large dolphin or small whale. Sailors in the 1800s used the word frequently in logs.