Jan. 21. Morning rather mild, not quite so windy. Went ashore for a short time; bought some more things to make our mess comfortable; then went on board and about two o'clock we left the docks and proceeded to sea and in a short time left old Liverpool far behind. It being rough weather when we started out, the ship rolled and pitched about very much which soon brought on seasickness among us. Several of the brethren being very sick, myself included. I soon went to bed, fell asleep and forgot all my real troubles to dream of others that were still worse.
Jan. 22. Arose this morning at 8 o'clock not feeling altogether over my sickness and what made me still worse, I dreamed last night that my dear wife was dead. God grant it may not be true. It was very pleasant morning. We were sailing about 5 knots per hour. We are now passing Holyhead.
Jan. 23. Becalmed most of the day. In the evening a good breeze sprang up and carried us along very well which enabled us to get out to sea. Had first rate sailing from the 23rd to the 28th, interspersed with heavy gales and squalls, and most of us [on] board very sick, but the Lord has blessed us very much as we are only days out and over one third of the distance traveled towards New York. This morning we stopped a vessel which had been 90 days out to sea. She was from Cairo the Capital of Egypt bound for Cork from the 28th of January to the first of February. [p. 1]
Very slow sailing and very calm weather. During this time, we introduced a variety of games, the captain and first mate joining in with us. Amongst the rest of the games we had boxing as there was a good pair of gloves on board. I had them on several times with the brethren , drawing the "carrot" from them each time. I also had the first mate to encounter who was an excellent boxer, but he came off second best. We enjoy ourselves very much on board the Underwriter. Yesterday being Sunday, held a testimony meeting in the evening. Each of the brethren speaking in turn.
Today we are a long way to the south and nearly 2000 miles from New York. This evening (Monday) it commenced to blow very heavy from the northwest and from this evening February the first until Monday Feb. 8th, we encountered very severe and I may say dreadful storms, and during that time there were days and nights that will long be remembered by me. A great many of the brethren were sick, and very often the sea breaking over the decks and running down below made it very uncomfortable, and what is more vexing still we have had northwest and southwest winds nearly all the time since leaving the channel. During this time of trouble, some of the brethren were very frightened, Brother B. H. Young in particular, he fearing that we should never see land again, and did not expect to live one hour from another. Last evening being Sunday we had a prayer meeting and asked the Lord to bless us with favorable winds that we might proceed on our journey, which was answered as we have been sailing first rate all day, only a little off our course.
The captain and first mate seem very favorable very favorable [SIC] towards us and act the part of gentlemen. The ship Underwriter cannot be [p. 2] beat for a rough sea. She rides like a "bird." Today will make 18 days out and we feel very anxious to get to our journey's end. Thank God we all enjoy good health with the exception of Brothers Tippitts and S. Neslin and feel well and we live in hopes that they will continue to improve.
Feb. 9th. Wind still blowing from the northwest but weather very mild as we were down to 34 degrees south latitude. Continued calm till 3 o'clock Wednesday morning when it blew a very severe gale from the southwest. The mate called us all up to help take a sail. It was truly a grand but awful sight, the ship laying nearly on her beam end; thundering and lightning very bad, and the wind blowing dreadfully. We managed to save all the sail and got her in good trim, and with the exception of a few knocks on the head from the main braces, the night passed off very well, and the sun coming out very bright and warm in the morning made us forget our troubles of the past night. This day we were n latitude 33 degrees 3 minutes - longitude 40 degrees 4 minutes. In the afternoon we passed a small Brig to windward.
We traveled exceedingly well all day, but in the evening a circumstance occurred which caused us some trouble besides a gloom over the whole ship's company. About 8 o'clock in the evening, one of the sailors fell from the jib boom. The captain threw him a life buoy; the boat was lowered and the ship brought to a stand, but all to no purpose. The poor fellow was lost - and in the operation the first mate and 5 men came very near sharing the same fate in consequence of the boat leaking so very badly. When they returned from the search, the tackle was hitched to the boat to rise her on deck and just as the last man stepped on board the rope broke and down went the boat into the heavy waves below. They could [p. 3] not raise it very easily so the captain gave orders to cut it loose and away it went, leaving the boat and the poor fellow to the mercy of winds, waves and fishes. Traveled very well the remainder of the night.
Feb. 12. Warm and rainy, wind from the southwest; making very poor headway. From the 13th to 1st [UNCLEAR, POSSIBLY 16th] continual northwest, west and southwest winds accompanied with very heavy gales and sudden squalls, throwing the ship on one side very much and to all human appearance seemed as though she could not live one hour, but thanks to our Father in Heaven he has preserved us safe up to this date. For the last two or three nights we could not get any rest, as we were afraid of being pitched from our berths. Today is the 27th day from Liverpool and we are at least one thousand miles from New York. Many of the brethren seem to be very uneasy and out of patience, but I do believe the hand of the Lord is around us, and will protect us, and I feel it is all right.
Feb. 17th. Strong westerly winds all day; the ship rolling and pitching very badly, and now and then very sudden squalls. In the evening, the wind still blowing with renewed fury accompanied with dreadful thunder and vivid lightning. It continued all night. We have been dashing and pitching about the last 4 days without making scarcely any headway. Head winds and running under; close reefed top sails.
Feb. 18th. This morning the sea running very high; wind still from the west; lay rolling about all day without making any progress and no prospects of a change in the weather, but thank God my spirit is still good, and I live in hopes of an alteration speedily. In the evening had a prayer meeting. [p. 4]
Feb. 19th. About 5 o'clock this morning it commenced to blow very strongly from the southwest, and in the midst of a very heavy squall the upper topsail yard or the mission mast snapped in two . It continued to blow very strongly all day and the sea running high which caused the ship to roll tremendously bad and according to the mate's account we are 200 miles nearer Liverpool than we were 4 days ago; evening rather calm , but heavy swells.
Feb. 20th. Still very squally. The sails no sooner raised than they are obliged to lower them. About 3 o'clock this morning we lost our main sail in a very severe squall. We were running a northeast course nearly all night. They tacked at 9 o'clock and headed on our course very well, but it has every appearance of squally times. We are 30 days out from Liverpool and nearly 1300 miles from New York. Rather poor encouragement. In the evening it was very calm.
Feb. 21st (Sunday). This morning we were running first rate on our course about 11 knots per hour all day or rather till 7 p.m. when the wind changed and with it all our hopes of arriving at New York on Friday the 26th of February. We have very squally times all night and running a northwest course. This evening we had a meeting and enjoyed ourselves, testifying to the mercies of God towards us his servants.
Feb. 22nd. Running out of our course all day; the weather very cold, which made it very disagreeable. Today I was discussing with steward of the ship on the principles of Mormonism. He is very kind to me, so I take an interest in teaching him all I can, lending him books, etc. The captain and first mate feel interested in the work.
Feb. 23rd. Very calm morning; becalmed till 10 o'clock when it commenced to snow and a breeze sprang up from the north. Last the yards were [p. 5] squared and traveled very well until eleven p.m. at which time a very heavy gale sprang up from the north. The captain called us up to assist in taking in sail. While in the midst of the storm, a vessel ran close to our bow, which endangered both ships very much, but fortunately no accident occurred. It continued to storm all night. The weather was excessively cold. The poor fellows (sailors) could hardly furl the sails. During the day that passed, we had several games and enjoyed ourselves first rate.
Feb. 24th. Very stormy morning; ship pitching very much; weather very cold; running 2 points off our course all day. In the evening the wind fell a little; traveled first rate. This evening, J.L. Smith proposed that an article be drawn up expressive of our good feelings toward the captain and mates of the ship. It was seconded and carried by a majority but not being congenial to all feelings, it was opposed, and after considerable hard words, and discussing by myself and others the vote was rescinded. We then had a general acknowledgment of the faults and ill feelings, and the meeting broke up in utter confusion that would not be tolerated among school boys.
Feb. 25th. A perfect calm but heavy squalls. In the afternoon a breeze sprang up from the east and we traveled first rate until the morning of the 26th when the wind changed southwest, driving us along to the northwest; traveled in the course till noon at which time the wind changed again, causing us to head northeast. Continued so until 5 o'clock of the morning of the 27th when they tacked ship and run to southwest. We found out yesterday that one of our largest tanks of water had all leaked out, leaving us only 10 days water aboard and according to mate's account, we were nearly 900 miles from New York. [p. 6]
Toward afternoon we headed our course and a very disagreeable circumstance occurred as a few of the brethren and myself included were enjoying a little fun in our cabin. The second mate commenced to abuse us shamefully, calling us everything but gentlemen. Feeling a little indignant at such treatment, I and brother D. Wilkin spoke to the captain, who told us we had a perfect right to enjoy ourselves. Upon meeting the mate, I told him what the captain had said, whereupon he commenced his abuse threatening to knock [-] out of some of us and struck me in the face. I turned on him after striking him, I threw him down. At this moment the boatswain came to his assistance and was taken off by D. Wilkin. In the scuffle the mate got my finger in his mouth and nearly bit it off. I must say the captain acted the gentleman as he took our part and told the mate he had no right to interfere with us. I came off second best, having my finger bit to the bone and my lip cut. He escaped with his face a little damaged. Continued to run first rate the remainder of the night and all passed off right.
February 28th (Sunday). Morning very calm and running about 6 knots on our course. This makes 38 days from Liverpool and we feel surely tired out. My finger is very sore today.
March 1st. Nearly becalmed; sun shining beautifully which was very pleasing, in consequence of encountering such severe weather previously. In the afternoon, the breeze strengthened and increased all the time, and we ran about 10 knots per hour all night.
March 2nd. This morning we were sailing about 11 knots on our course. Expect to be in New York about the 6th if all be well. In the afternoon the wind changed to the west; traveled all night out of our course. [p. 7]
March 3rd. Very cold morning. Tacking from north to south all day. Toward evening, headed our course more, and ran very well all night.
March 4th. Weather very cold, running nearly our course; about 7 knots. Passed a steam boat from New York. Today the cable was got ready which makes us think of a speedy deliverance from bondage. Today we are 315 miles from New York.
March 5th. Very cold morning; and ship covered with ice and snow running south by west till 3 o'clock p.m. when the wind changed and they tacked ship and ran east of north all night. The weather continued dreadfully cold.
March 6th. At 3 o'clock this morning, we headed nearly our course, traveling very slowly; no nearer this morning than yesterday which was 135 miles from New York. The weather was excessively cold; the ropes and rigging so covered with ice that the sailors could hardly handle them.
March 7th (Sunday). Wind still blowing from the west, beating about all day from north to south, and weather very cold. This day I felt more anxious to gain liberty than any since I've been on board.
March 8th. We were aroused this morning by the first mate calling out "Land O!" but it turned out to be false. The wind had changed a little in our favor during the night, but not enough to send us along more than 20 or 30 miles in 4 days. In the afternoon, the wind blowed very strongly and with it came a heavy snowstorm, covering everything on deck, the snow falling so fast we could not see ahead the length of the ship. The captain hove the ship to under close reefed top sails. Being in only 2 fathoms of water, there was great danger of drifting ashore. [p. 8]
March 9. The wind changed during the past night to northwest and drove us back. This the 3rd day we've been within 60 miles of New York and cannot make that point. When we have a fair wind, the weather is foggy or else a heavy snowstorm, and when the weather is clear, the wind is dead against us, which make it impossible for us to get into port. We have longed, hoped, and prayed for a deliverance from this ship but all seems in vain, and it certainly would seem as though there was a "Jonah" aboard. Today is the forty-ninth on the ship and our patience is almost used up. Today I raffled a pair of pants that were too small for me. They were won by Thomas Pearce; 18 members at 25 cents per ticket. 8 o'clock p.m. caught sight of Fire Island light off Jersey shore.
March 10. Called up early this morning to help tack ship and at 7 o'clock the pilot came on board. A tug boat soon made its appearance and was engaged to haul us in for 125 dollars; morning very cold. [p. 9]
BIB: Margetts, Philip, 1829-1914. Diary [1858] Jan-Mar. [LDS Church Archives, Ms 1413, pp. 1-9. Acc. #2934] (CHL)
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