Ingraham Expedition: March 31, Thursday

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Ingraham Expedition: March 31, Thursday

Original Source

Encoded texts are derived from three typescript accounts of the 1892 Everglades Exploration Expedition found in the James E. Ingraham Papers and the Chase Collection in the Special and Area Studies Collections Department of the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. Digital reproductions of the typescripts are available at:

Moses, W.R., Record of the Everglade Exploration Expedition

Ingraham, J.E., Diary

Church, A., A Dash Through the Everglades

Contents

Electronic Publication Details:

Text encoding by John R. Nemmers

Published by John R. Nemmers.

George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

2015

Licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License.

These manuscripts are available from this site for education purposes only.

Encoding Principles

The three accounts of the 1892 Ingraham Everglades Exploration Expedition have been transcribed and are represented in Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) P5 XML encoding.

Line and page breaks have not been preserved in the encoded manuscripts.

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View Page Image [CAMP NO. 15] Thur. March 31st. View Page Image March 31st View Page Image [Thursday, March 31, 1892]
[CAMP NO. 15] Thur. March 31st.

Got away from Island 30 Camp 15 about 9 A.M.

Triangulated to Island south 20 degrees east. The chainmen gave completely out in chaining for the base line to make this triangulation, and had to ride in boat. Found glades to be bearing east of south with plenty of water all day. Made only one or two short portages. This was very fortunate, as the men are becoming quite weak and somewhat discouraged.

In going from one glade to another through a narrow channel we found quite a strong current, flowing towards the S.E. perhaps a mile an hour, but when the center of the glades was reached the surface broader and shallower, it was not perceptible.

After lunch got into a stream of water, almost a river, with saw grass banks which led us to another island than the one surveyed and about 1/2 mile east of it, on which we camped being No. 31 and Camp No. 16. This was 3:30 P.M. All hands feeling much encouraged at our progress today. Made nearly 4 miles and reached camp sufficiently early to attend to various necessary matters of repair and an opportunity to dry our clothes and scrape off some of the mud, which was a relief even though it lasted but a short space.

We caught and shot, during the day, 7 terrapins, 1 marsh hen, and 3 or 4 fish. The latter jumped into our boats and proved a fine addition to our evening meal.

Wind all day very strong from the S. E.

In the afternoon at one time found sand underlying the mud instead of rock. For the most part the rock is about 5 feet from the surface of water.

This island has willow growth; is perhaps 3/4 of an acre in extent and the richest soil of any we have struck, although they are all exceedingly fertile. The saw grass stumps from which we cut our bed to lie on, pushed out its center stalk 3/4 of an inch during the night. This had been noticed several times. Whether an actual growth or not it is difficult to prove. It does not seem as though the hard outer covering could recede.

Saw more moccasins today than any day yet.

The stream we followed today for 1 1/2 or 2 miles contained deeper water than anything yet encountered and had very little mud, making locomotion much easier. The current was so slight as to make it difficult to say if any existed by observation. The heavy wind from the S. E. made a surface current in the same direction. March 31st. Broke camp 8:30. Started on a course S.30 E. to an island about 4 miles. Fires in that direction last night; crossed and recrossed Indian canoe trails yesterday several times.

Got into a current in a slough near island #30, running about a mile an hour to S.E., which we follow. After two short saw grass portages we struck into a broad 200 feet wide stream about 3 feet deep, running S.20 E., which we follow. Numerous islands appear in the saw grass, and small shrubs,- willow, etc., which have not been seen in the Everglades. Saw grass very rank, indicating very strong soil. Rock underlies the much 3 feet,- 2 feet water. Went into camp at island #31 at 4 P.M., having followed what appears to be a river over 1-1/2 miles. Water is about 3 feet deep; hard bottom, and flows in a S.E. direction - at island #31, - S.20 E.

These islands are covered with custard apple trees and willows show no sign of frost or high water any-where. The ant nests on shrubs are nowhere more than two feet above present water level, and many of them only 18 inches. No drift wood or driftage, nor signs of frost. The can of earth #31 is from island #31, which was an acre in size, covered with a dense growth of ferns, saw grass, willows, custard apples, horse mint and maiden cane. Thursday while we were triangulating to the island ahead of us the boats went on and soon [got] out of hearing. Now it should be distinctly understood that none of us were frightened or in any way uneasy, but we are willing to admit that a feeling of loneliness came over us when our companions could nowhere be seen, and that we were a little glad when we had them in sight again.

We struck a fine channel leading easterly, and as I could not walk without great pain (from chafes) I rode in the canvas boat all day, enjoyed it immensely, and concluded I had just begun to enjoy boating in the Everglades. During the day we caught seven hardshell turtles, which made an enjoyable addition to our scanty fare. Our channel now widened out and assumed the proportions of a river, and we felt certain that we had come into the Miami or some other stream flowing into the Atlantic. We had a good camp that night and enjoyed our supper of hominy and terrapin immensely. Those of our men who had been most despondent and complaining regained their strength and spirits, and were as brave and well as any of us. We thought that now we would only have to follow the channel we were in until it took us to the coast, and that we would have no more pulling through the saw grass.
X (Close panel)Text:
View Page Image [CAMP NO. 15] Thur. March 31st. View Page Image March 31st View Page Image [Thursday, March 31, 1892]
[CAMP NO. 15] Thur. March 31st.

Got away from Island 30 Camp 15 about 9 A.M.

Triangulated to Island south 20 degrees east. The chainmen gave completely out in chaining for the base line to make this triangulation, and had to ride in boat. Found glades to be bearing east of south with plenty of water all day. Made only one or two short portages. This was very fortunate, as the men are becoming quite weak and somewhat discouraged.

In going from one glade to another through a narrow channel we found quite a strong current, flowing towards the S.E. perhaps a mile an hour, but when the center of the glades was reached the surface broader and shallower, it was not perceptible.

After lunch got into a stream of water, almost a river, with saw grass banks which led us to another island than the one surveyed and about 1/2 mile east of it, on which we camped being No. 31 and Camp No. 16. This was 3:30 P.M. All hands feeling much encouraged at our progress today. Made nearly 4 miles and reached camp sufficiently early to attend to various necessary matters of repair and an opportunity to dry our clothes and scrape off some of the mud, which was a relief even though it lasted but a short space.

We caught and shot, during the day, 7 terrapins, 1 marsh hen, and 3 or 4 fish. The latter jumped into our boats and proved a fine addition to our evening meal.

Wind all day very strong from the S. E.

In the afternoon at one time found sand underlying the mud instead of rock. For the most part the rock is about 5 feet from the surface of water.

This island has willow growth; is perhaps 3/4 of an acre in extent and the richest soil of any we have struck, although they are all exceedingly fertile. The saw grass stumps from which we cut our bed to lie on, pushed out its center stalk 3/4 of an inch during the night. This had been noticed several times. Whether an actual growth or not it is difficult to prove. It does not seem as though the hard outer covering could recede.

Saw more moccasins today than any day yet.

The stream we followed today for 1 1/2 or 2 miles contained deeper water than anything yet encountered and had very little mud, making locomotion much easier. The current was so slight as to make it difficult to say if any existed by observation. The heavy wind from the S. E. made a surface current in the same direction. March 31st. Broke camp 8:30. Started on a course S.30 E. to an island about 4 miles. Fires in that direction last night; crossed and recrossed Indian canoe trails yesterday several times.

Got into a current in a slough near island #30, running about a mile an hour to S.E., which we follow. After two short saw grass portages we struck into a broad 200 feet wide stream about 3 feet deep, running S.20 E., which we follow. Numerous islands appear in the saw grass, and small shrubs,- willow, etc., which have not been seen in the Everglades. Saw grass very rank, indicating very strong soil. Rock underlies the much 3 feet,- 2 feet water. Went into camp at island #31 at 4 P.M., having followed what appears to be a river over 1-1/2 miles. Water is about 3 feet deep; hard bottom, and flows in a S.E. direction - at island #31, - S.20 E.

These islands are covered with custard apple trees and willows show no sign of frost or high water any-where. The ant nests on shrubs are nowhere more than two feet above present water level, and many of them only 18 inches. No drift wood or driftage, nor signs of frost. The can of earth #31 is from island #31, which was an acre in size, covered with a dense growth of ferns, saw grass, willows, custard apples, horse mint and maiden cane. Thursday while we were triangulating to the island ahead of us the boats went on and soon [got] out of hearing. Now it should be distinctly understood that none of us were frightened or in any way uneasy, but we are willing to admit that a feeling of loneliness came over us when our companions could nowhere be seen, and that we were a little glad when we had them in sight again.

We struck a fine channel leading easterly, and as I could not walk without great pain (from chafes) I rode in the canvas boat all day, enjoyed it immensely, and concluded I had just begun to enjoy boating in the Everglades. During the day we caught seven hardshell turtles, which made an enjoyable addition to our scanty fare. Our channel now widened out and assumed the proportions of a river, and we felt certain that we had come into the Miami or some other stream flowing into the Atlantic. We had a good camp that night and enjoyed our supper of hominy and terrapin immensely. Those of our men who had been most despondent and complaining regained their strength and spirits, and were as brave and well as any of us. We thought that now we would only have to follow the channel we were in until it took us to the coast, and that we would have no more pulling through the saw grass.
X (Close panel)Text:
View Page Image [CAMP NO. 15] Thur. March 31st. View Page Image March 31st View Page Image [Thursday, March 31, 1892]
[CAMP NO. 15] Thur. March 31st.

Got away from Island 30 Camp 15 about 9 A.M.

Triangulated to Island south 20 degrees east. The chainmen gave completely out in chaining for the base line to make this triangulation, and had to ride in boat. Found glades to be bearing east of south with plenty of water all day. Made only one or two short portages. This was very fortunate, as the men are becoming quite weak and somewhat discouraged.

In going from one glade to another through a narrow channel we found quite a strong current, flowing towards the S.E. perhaps a mile an hour, but when the center of the glades was reached the surface broader and shallower, it was not perceptible.

After lunch got into a stream of water, almost a river, with saw grass banks which led us to another island than the one surveyed and about 1/2 mile east of it, on which we camped being No. 31 and Camp No. 16. This was 3:30 P.M. All hands feeling much encouraged at our progress today. Made nearly 4 miles and reached camp sufficiently early to attend to various necessary matters of repair and an opportunity to dry our clothes and scrape off some of the mud, which was a relief even though it lasted but a short space.

We caught and shot, during the day, 7 terrapins, 1 marsh hen, and 3 or 4 fish. The latter jumped into our boats and proved a fine addition to our evening meal.

Wind all day very strong from the S. E.

In the afternoon at one time found sand underlying the mud instead of rock. For the most part the rock is about 5 feet from the surface of water.

This island has willow growth; is perhaps 3/4 of an acre in extent and the richest soil of any we have struck, although they are all exceedingly fertile. The saw grass stumps from which we cut our bed to lie on, pushed out its center stalk 3/4 of an inch during the night. This had been noticed several times. Whether an actual growth or not it is difficult to prove. It does not seem as though the hard outer covering could recede.

Saw more moccasins today than any day yet.

The stream we followed today for 1 1/2 or 2 miles contained deeper water than anything yet encountered and had very little mud, making locomotion much easier. The current was so slight as to make it difficult to say if any existed by observation. The heavy wind from the S. E. made a surface current in the same direction. March 31st. Broke camp 8:30. Started on a course S.30 E. to an island about 4 miles. Fires in that direction last night; crossed and recrossed Indian canoe trails yesterday several times.

Got into a current in a slough near island #30, running about a mile an hour to S.E., which we follow. After two short saw grass portages we struck into a broad 200 feet wide stream about 3 feet deep, running S.20 E., which we follow. Numerous islands appear in the saw grass, and small shrubs,- willow, etc., which have not been seen in the Everglades. Saw grass very rank, indicating very strong soil. Rock underlies the much 3 feet,- 2 feet water. Went into camp at island #31 at 4 P.M., having followed what appears to be a river over 1-1/2 miles. Water is about 3 feet deep; hard bottom, and flows in a S.E. direction - at island #31, - S.20 E.

These islands are covered with custard apple trees and willows show no sign of frost or high water any-where. The ant nests on shrubs are nowhere more than two feet above present water level, and many of them only 18 inches. No drift wood or driftage, nor signs of frost. The can of earth #31 is from island #31, which was an acre in size, covered with a dense growth of ferns, saw grass, willows, custard apples, horse mint and maiden cane. Thursday while we were triangulating to the island ahead of us the boats went on and soon [got] out of hearing. Now it should be distinctly understood that none of us were frightened or in any way uneasy, but we are willing to admit that a feeling of loneliness came over us when our companions could nowhere be seen, and that we were a little glad when we had them in sight again.

We struck a fine channel leading easterly, and as I could not walk without great pain (from chafes) I rode in the canvas boat all day, enjoyed it immensely, and concluded I had just begun to enjoy boating in the Everglades. During the day we caught seven hardshell turtles, which made an enjoyable addition to our scanty fare. Our channel now widened out and assumed the proportions of a river, and we felt certain that we had come into the Miami or some other stream flowing into the Atlantic. We had a good camp that night and enjoyed our supper of hominy and terrapin immensely. Those of our men who had been most despondent and complaining regained their strength and spirits, and were as brave and well as any of us. We thought that now we would only have to follow the channel we were in until it took us to the coast, and that we would have no more pulling through the saw grass.