. . . Monday 20th - My health was very bad. Went to the office and had a conversation with President O. [Orson] Pratt. Received letter from Elder J. Woods Norwich, Sister E. Crompton, and from Sister Caroline Smith, Stockport, Cheshire. Wrote letters Elders Woods and Rockling, Sisters Smith and Baxter. Went to the Theater Royal and witnessed the performance of the great comedian, Charles Matthew as "Young Rapid" in the comedy of "A Cure For the Heartache" and as "Plumper" in the drama of "As Cool as a Cucumber." Took a glass of wine and went to bed.

Tuesday 21st - My health was a little better. Went to the office and had some conversation with Elder George Turnbull on the subject of ziletie [UNCLEAR] astronomy. Took a short walk and had tea with Mrs. Corkin, Christian Street. Got some of Doctor Coffin Indian Pills to take to avoid if possible being seasick which I dreaded very much. Wrote a letter to Sister Compton [p. 64] and went to bed.

Wednesday 22nd - Wasn't very well. Wet day. Elder [Lorenzo D.] Rudd and myself went round the town considerable. Retired to rest.

Thursday 23rd - Rose rather early. Helped to get the Saints and their luggage on board the Westmoreland. Got my own box on board alright. Received several letters and answered some of them. Got ready to go on shipboard next day.

Friday 24th - Went to president's office where I received an appointment as president of the Saints on board the ship Westmoreland for Philadelphia, Captain Robert R. Decan. During the evening [p. 65] four marriages were solemnized by Elder John Kay on board the ship. Elders Calkins, Haight, and Kay remained with us all night.

Saturday 25th - Started from the Mersey about six o'clock a.m. Fair wind. Received a present of a white kid pair of gloves from Sister Sarah Woods Norwich for a favor of President E. [Ezra] T. Benson. Wrote her an acknowledgment. When 15 miles at sea, I was busy organizing the company of Saints. Henry Lunt and Olaf N. Linenquist [Liljenquist] were my counselors. The ship was divided into four wards. G. [George] W. Thurston president of the 1st ward, Lorenzo D. Rudd president of the 2nd ward, Christian [Christen] Larsen president of 3rd ward, and C. [Carl] C. N. Dorius president of the 4th ward. Each ward had a prayer meeting every [p. 66] morning and evening. Steward for the company was Carl A. Christinson [Christensen]; cooks Jens P. [Peter] Folkman and Gudmer Gudmanson [Gudmund Gudmudsen]; captain of the guard G. [George] W. Thurston; clerk of the company Carl A. Christenson [Christensen]. The Saints rose about 5 o'clock in the morning and retired again between 9 and 10 in the evening. Times of cooking, from 6 in the morning till 7 in the evening. I was taken very seasick.

Sunday 26th - Fair wind. A great [-] of sickness. I remained in my berth all day.

Monday 27th - Provisions were dealt out to the Saints. Fair wind. The captain and doctor were very good to the sick. Passed several vessels today. [p. 67]

Tuesday 28th - A little better today. Very little wind. Heavy rolling sea. Many were seasick. With all my sickness, I enjoyed a good appetite.

Wednesday 29th - Fair wind. Water was served out today and every morning during the passage. A band of music was organized consisting of 3 clarinets, 6 violins, 2 harmonicas, &1 flute. Dancing on the poop deck in the evening.

Thursday 30th - The Saints enjoy themselves very much on deck with music, singing, and dancing. Classes for English education were formed which were to be continued during the voyage. Had some conversation with Dr. Henry Davidge, surgeon for the ship. [p. 68]

Friday, May 1st - Fine fair wind and heavy rolling in the sea which caused a great deal of seasickness.

Saturday 2nd - Fine weather and favorable wind. Some provisions were served out to the company. The most of the sick were on deck.

Sunday 3rd - Some rain and wind. Fast day but no meetings owing to the rolling of the ship. Sister Marie [Marg] Garff of Denmark gave birth to a fine male child about past 10 o'clock p.m. Latitude 46º 45. Longitude 26º23. It was named Decan Westmoreland after the captain and ship.

Monday 4th - Fine atmosphere, but the seas [p. 69] were troubled very much. A great deal of seasickness.

Tuesday 5th - Not much wind. Beautiful fine day. I had to a great extent recovered from my sickness and was able to go on deck and enjoy myself with the rest of the passengers and sit at the table to eat my victuals.

Wednesday 6th - Beautiful fine day. The Saints were all on deck singing, music, and dancing. Amused myself in the evening with Captain Decan playing euchre.

Thursday 7th - Fair wind and a pretty rough sea. I employed myself in writing a little and teaching English to the Danes and Norwegians. Attended prayer meeting in the evening and spoke to the Saints on many things which I wished them to observe during their journey. [p. 70]

Friday 8th - Very fine calm weather. The sea rolling very much. The sails remained as the pilot had set them on leaving the River Mersey up to the present day. Mrs. Agnes Henry mended my gloves and was very kind in waiting on me and presented me with a little box of carbonate ammonia. Mrs. H. address, 29 Swandon Street, opposite the Sweed church, Philadelphia. Latitude today 44º35. Longitude 37º.

Saturday 9th - Contrary winds. Rather squally. Health of company pretty good not as many on deck owing to bad weather. Retired to bed in good health and spirits. [p. 71]

Sunday 10th - The weather unfavorable for holding meetings. Elder Henry Lunt was very ill. Had meetings in the several wards. Good feeling prevailed.

Monday 11th - Winds continued contrary. Running about 4 points out of our course; was busily engaged in learning the Saints English. Amused myself with Captain Decan in the evening playing euchre. Retired in good health.

Tuesday 12th - More pleasant day. Not much wind and what little there were, it was unfavorable. Health generally much better. Died at three o'clock p.m. of inflammation in the bowels infant daughter of Lars & Anna Peterson, Karen Larsen, [DAUGHTER WOULD BE LARSEN SINCE FATHER IS LARS] and who confined to the deep blue sea at 6 o'clock p.m. [p. 72] with a solemn ceremony in Latitude 40º59, Longitude 45º48. Gave the Saints some good instructions. Retired to bed in very good health for which I thank the Lord heartily.

Wednesday 13th - Weather rough and stormy. Some of the Saints got seasick again. I was very unwell myself most of the day. Played euchre with the captain.

Thursday 14th - Comfortable weather. The Saints enjoyed themselves very much on deck. Music and dancing. It rained, hailed, and blew a great deal during the afternoon and evening. The captain & myself were amused in performing some tricks by cards. We thought it wisdom not to deal out any more pork to the Saints [p. 73] as it we did not consider it conducive to health. Attended meeting in the Second Ward and we had a most excellent time.

Friday 15th - Mild, pleasant day until about noon when it commenced raining ant about 8 o'clock in the evening it blew a heavy gale and we had a rough time until 11 o'clock p.m. Retired rather unwell.

Saturday 16th - My health was not very good. Rough, uncomfortable day.

Sunday 17th - Rather stormy. Favorable wind part of the time. Conference in the morning. The different wards were represented in good condition. The Saints all felt well throughout the ship. Collected of the passengers $12 for each adult and $6 for all under 8 years [p. 74] and over 1 year which amounted to five thousand $5580 for the purpose of expediting business in Philadelphia. Died of hydrocephalus (water on the brain) Ephraim G., infant son of Anders and Ingerling Jensen, at 7 o'clock p.m. Retired to bed rather unwell. Latitude 42º21. Longitude 55º0 1/2.

Monday 18th - Pleasant calm day. The Saints were all well and enjoyed themselves very much on deck with playing, singing, music, and dancing. I attended prayer in the 3rd Ward. The first mate, Mr. Whall, came to the Saints of the 1st ward and told them to stop their. . . . singing. They were having prayers previous to going to bed. The captain, Mr. R. R. Decan, gave him a severe chastisement and afterwards apologized to us and told us to go on as [p. 75] usual in our religious duties.

Tuesday 19th - Very wet. Uncomfortable day. Rained all day. The ship rolled a great deal. Many tumbles were had during the day but no serious accident occurred. About noon we passed the mail steamship "Ericsion" from New York to Liverpool. In the afternoon I was taken with a severe pain in the head.

Wednesday 20th - Cold uncomfortable day. My health not very good. I very nigh fainted at breakfast table. We were sail on our course very comfortably. Retired to bed very early. Passed another steamship. Very foggy.

Thursday 21st - Very uncomfortable, cold, misty day. My health was very fine. [p. 76] Enjoyed myself very much with the Saints. Commenced writing my report to send to Liverpool. Gave the Saints some instructions in preparing to land. Enjoyed my tea very much with some oysters. Amused myself with the captain in playing euchre. Retired to rest with joy and satisfaction.

Friday 22nd - My health was very good. Head wind all day. The Saints enjoyed themselves very much on deck dancing, singing, and music. Attended the 4th Ward prayer meeting. Spoke to them on the principles of progress in perfection.

Saturday 23rd - Very pleasant. Calm day. The Saints were all on deck and done considerable [p. 77] washing and drying. The ship "Sir Robert Peel" in sight all day. My health good. Had some amusement [with] the captain. Retired to rest in good spirits.

Sunday 24th - Very pleasant, comfortable, calm day, but we would much rather the wind to blow as we have no time to lose in getting to the Valley. Meetings were held in each ward. I met with the 3rd Ward. A good spirit prevailed and many of the Saints testified. I spoke to them for some length giving them instructions in regard to preparing to land. Retired to bed in good health and spirits. A great many fishing boats in sight and at [p. 78] anchor. We expected to have been in Philadelphia today.

Monday 25th - Calm wind day. Going very slow. The Saints are pretty well, singing and dancing on deck.

Tuesday 26th - Weather warm and comfortable. My health was very good. Saints very busy washing. Some enjoyment in the evening.

Wednesday 27th - Up to this day we have been six days in a calm. Spoke a Boston brig named "Caroline" bound for Wilmington, North Carolina. Administered to Elder L. [Lorenzo] D. Rudd and Camilla Jacobsen who pains in the head, making 6 times today of administering to the sick. Gave the Saints some [p. 79] instructions in regard to landing at Philadelphia.

Thursday 28th - This makes the 34th day at sea. Rather cold, windy day, but the wind was pretty favorable. In the afternoon we got into a very thick fog so we were obliged to take in sail. Elders [Henry] Lunt, [George W.] Thurston, [Lorenzo D.] Rudd, and myself prayed in private for the removal of the fog and in a few minutes afterward it all disappeared and the light ship off Cape May came to our view with three or four other ships near the entrance into Delaware Bay. Administered to Elder H. [Henry] Lunt and Brother Liljenquist's child. A Mr. Bennett, a pilot, came on board about 9 o'clock p.m. [p. 80]

Friday 29th - Very calm day. Got up into the bay and anchored. Dr. J. H. Davidge went round sprinkling some liquid to purify the air between decks. He sprinkled some into the eyes of a few Saints which caused great soreness and eating holes in their aprons, ribbons, and dresses. We gave the people some instructions in regard to keeping themselves free from the sailors, &c., &c. Retired to bed in good health and strength, thank the Lord.

Saturday 30th - Got up in the morning very early. Eat a hearty breakfast. Weighed anchor and proceeded up the river. We passed a great many fine vessels among which were an American man of war, "Minnesota" bound for the East Indies. We gave them [p. 81] three hearty cheers and they returned the compliment. Got a tug about half past 5 o'clock p.m. when I received the New York Herald of the 29th instant per favor of the captain in which I see all was right in Utah. Died about past 7 o'clock p.m., Jurgen Schram [Jorgen Jensen Scram] of Denmark of old age. The scene up the River Delaware was most beautiful this evening. Retired to bed alright. [p. 82]

BIB: Cowley, Matthias. Diary, pp. 64-82. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)