S. S. Nevada, Nov. 3, 1885.President Daniel H. Wells.
Dear Brother,--Now that we are nearing the end of our sea voyage, it becomes our duty to report progress thus far. And we feel truly thankful to our Father in Heaven for his protecting care extended over us and that we are enabled to send such a favorable report.
The weather has been very favorable on the whole. The second day out was, perhaps, the worst. We had a fine run to Queenstown, which port we reached about 4 p.m., on Sunday, 25th ultimate. After embarking a few more passengers here, we put to sea again about 4:30 p.m. and soon began to feel swell of the ever restless Atlantic. This lasted through Sunday night and all of Monday, so that the stewards had an easy time of it, so far as waiting at the table was concerned. On Wednesday the weather moderated, by which time most of the Saints had got over the worst of their seasickness and began to regain their appetites. There were still some cases, however, of continued sickness, mostly among the aged. The health of the elders has been pretty good, though all but two or three lucky individuals have suffered more or less from the inevitable mal de mer. [FRENCH FOR seasickness] Sister [Louisa F.] Wells has kept up very well, not having suffered as much from seasickness as many of the others. Everything has gone on smoothly, no discord, no complaints. The officers of the ship, from Captain Douglas down, have been uniformly obliging and courteous, which has of course materially helped to make the time pass pleasantly.
On Wednesday last, a sad accident occurred, one of the sailors fell from the lower yard-arm to the deck, a height of thirty or thirty-five feet, fracturing his left leg badly at the knee. This, in addition to cutting his lower lip through, is the only injury he apparently sustained. The limb was soon set and the doctor reports the patient progressing favorably.
Last night (Monday) a concert was held in the saloon; two professional singers and other ladies and gentlemen kindly volunteering their services. It was quite a success, though the performers had great difficulties to contend with in the motion of the vessel, which seemed to roll worse last night than at any time previous. This, however, added considerably to the fun. A collection was taken up at the close in aid of the Seamen's Orphanage, in New York.
Another concert is to be held this evening in the steerage, the collection on this occasion to be for the benefit of the sailor who fell from the rigging.
Though the Nevada can hardly be called a fast boat, she certainly deserves the credit of being steady and sure. Our greatest run in twenty-four hours was, from noon on Sunday to noon yesterday, 332 miles, and the lowest run 223 miles, from noon on Monday, 26th ultimate, to the following noon. At noon today we were only 260 miles from New York, and the captain expects to take us there by eight or nine o'clock tomorrow morning, if the weather continues favorable.
Wednesday, Nov. 4th, 9 p.m. - We are now anchored in the harbor and have been since about 2 p.m., detained in quarantine of a case of [p.749] measles discovered among the emigrants this morning.
New York, Friday Nov. 6th. - We were all permitted to land yesterday morning about nine o'clock, to our relief, for we were told we might be detained several days in quaratine. Brother [James] Hart met us on the wharf and agter passing the customs we proceeded to Castle Garden with the emigrants, where the baggage was all weighed with scrupulous care, not to defraud the Railroad Company. Some of the emigrants had a good deal more than was allowed for free and, in some cases, had to borrow from their friends to make up the amount charged for excess. The company got off in good shape about 8 p.m. The rest of us hope to leave at 7 o'clock this evening, going via Niagara Falls.
With kindest regards to yourself and all at "42," [THE LIVERPOOL MISSION ADDRESS WAS, 42 Islington] in which President Lund and his counselors desire to unite, I remain, in great haste,
Your brother in the gospel,
Herbert L. James. [p.750]
BIB: James, Herbert L., [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 47:47, (November 23, 1885), pp. 749-50. (CHL)
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