The air temperatures were still low, -24.5ｰ Fahr.

being recorded on October 4.
The movement of the ice was increasing.

Frost-smoke from opening cracks was showing in all directions during October 6.

It had the appearance in one place of a great prairie fire, rising from the surface and getting higher as it drifted off before the wind in heavy, dark, rolling masses.

At another point there was the appearance of a train running before the wind, the smoke rising from the locomotive straight upwards; and the smoke columns elsewhere gave the effect of warships steaming in line ahead.