. . . Went to the William Tapscott and there met Brother E. L. Sloan. Received very warmly by him. Brother Sloan took me through the ship, and then to the office introducing me to many brethren present. Brother George Q. Cannon also present. Slept at Brother Sloan's with John Kay. Received a letter from Elizabeth Henry, enclosing a present for Emma.

May 10. Met Brother and Sister Clarke, Joseph F. Smith, Charles Parkin (who had come to see me off) and quite a number of the Saints at the railroad station. Then with them went to the ship, visited Brother Sloan, viewed the docks, etc. In the evening went to the amphitheatre. Slept at Powells Great Cross, Hall Street with Charles Parkin. William H. Dame, Joseph F. Smith, and a number of other elders there.

May 11. Learned that there were sixty-nine Saints emigrating from the Sheffield Conference. Today a conference was held in Liverpool. A very good time. Brother Cannon and others spoke. A.M. Lyman preached in the evening. I and C. Parkin ate dinner at Brother Sloan's. In the evening met with a number of the brethren at the office, 42 Islington, and had a very pleasant time, eating supper there. A.M. Lyman, C. C. Rich and G. Q. Cannon present.

May 12. In the morning I went to Brother Sloan's giving him a complete set of the 'Millennial Star.' After, met a number of the Saints from Sheffield at the station and took them to the ship, busy fixing up. There being a council meeting at the office, Brother Sloan left me in charge of the ship tonight. I appointed guards, and we had some trouble with thieves prowling around.

May 13. Up at 4 o'clock assisting to get ready for government inspection, then serving out provisions. In the afternoon the inspectors came on board, all passed first rate. Whilst the inspection was going on a little boy fell down a hatchway and broke his leg. Sarah Marsden and her children came on board by the tug, having had to run away from [p.40] her husband because of his ill usage. Charles Parkin left me on the return on the tug, and with him I bid goodbye to my last and best friend in England. Sister Marsden brought me a pair of razors, a present from H. Taylor. A meeting was held on the ship and Elder William Gibson was appointed president of the company, with John Clarke, first counselor and F. [Francis] M. Lyman, second counselor. Went round with John Clarke appointing guards, etc. During the night Brother Sloan visited me and bid me goodbye (in company with Warren Snow). This evening set sail.

May 14. Up early. James Hibberd up at 4:30 to get first turn at cooking galley. After breakfast assisted in handing out provisions until eight in the evening. Was appointed president of the 14th ward in the ship (on the lower deck). In the evening went out on the forecastle. The Welsh mountains in sight. It was quite a novelty to see the sailors pumping and singing. Very fine weather. At nine o'clock held meeting in my ward for prayers and instructions. Items: cleanliness, cooking and the sisters not associating with the sailors. My ward No. 14 contained all the berths and people belonging to them from 210 to 230 inclusive. Instructions for all to be up, washed and prayers by 8 o'clock. To cook in the galley in turns by wards and not to go to the galley until called. No light to be struck and luggage to be so placed that a thoroughfare was kept along the berths. Names of the people in my ward: Martha and Maria Filer, Louisetta Livermore, Elizabeth Gentry, Harriot Green, Sarah A. and Elizabeth Barrett, Maria Devenport [Davenport], Harriot [Harriet] Ratcliff [Ratcliffe], Jane and Mary Graham, Mary and John [Caroline and Henry] Winter, Ann Thorpe, Mary Pearson, Emma Ford, Mary and Lavina Speed, James and Sarah Hibberd, Mary Mapes, Eliza Limb, George and Mary Ann Criddle, Elizabeth Butler, Alice Straw, Alice and J. Cridle, John Thomas and W. [William] Wickens.

May 15. Brother Shires called me early to assist in giving out water. Could not get the pump to work for a long time. Fine weather. The Foley Islands in sight. The ship heaved considerable. Seasick. Had to quit giving out water. Good breeze, [p.41] many ships in sight. In the afternoon again assisted serving out provisions. Brother Shires (the steward) and myself taking turns in being sick. I left in charge of provisions at last.

May 16. Fine morning. Wind against us. Nine sails in sight in St. George's Channel. The second mate said we will soon be on the Atlantic Ocean. Quite seasick. A meeting of the presidents of the wards. Arrangements made to cook by wards, etc.

May 17. Endeavored to again give out water and rations but compelled to quit, so seasick. Coast of Ireland in sight. Also two ships, one signaling us. Had to get Brother Hibberd to look into my ward.

May 18. Sunday. Quite sick. Attended prayers in my ward. A meeting on deck of the whole company (over 800) at 2:30. President William Gibson and counselors John Clarke and F. [Francis] M. Lyman preached. Some dishonesty amongst some of the people, some trifles missing.

May 19, 20, 21. Very rough weather. The old ship going at good speed, the waves dashing over the ship sometimes. Many porpoises in sight. The captain got seriously hurt during the rough weather. Two marriages on board.

May 22. Rather calmer this morning and I much better.

May 23. Much better. On deck first time since Sunday. One ship in sight.

May 24. Contrary combs almost constantly since we left the channel. Three couples married today by President Gibson.

May 25. Fine weather but making slow progress. Captain Staynor (a passenger) predicted we would be five weeks on the voyage. It being Sunday a meeting was held on deck in the afternoon. Elders Gibson, Staynor and William Dallin spoke.

May 26. Reported halfway across. (A mistake)

May 27. A vessel in sight--quite a treat having not seen any for some time. Many porpoises in sight last night, sailors trying to catch some.

May 27 [28]. Rough weather today. A child 15 [p.42] months old died and was buried at 5 p.m. A solemn thing, a funeral at sea. A vessel--the "Mary Ann" of Chester--passed us.

May 29. Very seasick yet. The captain put out a notice: 934 miles from Liverpool in fifteen days. Mail steamer passed about 8 a.m.

May 31. Eleven hundred miles on the way. Began to suffer severely with my feet. Think it is from my present quiet life, compared with my old active one.

Jun. 1. Sunday. Weather too rough to hold meetings on deck. Four sacrament meetings held, one at each end of each deck. Brother Hargraves presided at ours, President Gibson speaking. Afterwards testimonies were borne.

Jun. 2. Very cold and stormy.

Jun. 3. About 2 p.m. the wind changed, a heavy squall--very sudden.

Jun. 4. Very little wind, almost calm. A schooner and a brig passed us. Also a French fishing smack bound for the cod fisheries. Rough weather at night.

Jun. 5. Stormy night, boxes, etc. flying about. Fourteen hundred seventy five miles on the way. Had a talk with Captain Bell. Had taken 18,000 passengers across the ocean on the William Tapscott , 3000 of whom were our people (the Saints). Also many missionaries. John Taylor--the first--about sixteen years ago. (Lameroux and others) Brother William Hardcastle very sick.

Jun. 6. A nasty wet morning, 1580 miles, 105 the last 24 hours. Fifteen hundred and two miles from New York. Five vessels in sight bound west, and two bound east apparently for Liverpool.

Jun. 7. Thirteen hundred and ninety-seven from New York.

Jun. 8. Whitsunday. Very rough weather. Could not cook on that account. The sea breaking over the ship.

Jun. 9. A three-month-old baby died. [p.43]

Jun. 10. A coarse, rough morning. Very foggy, the fog horn sounding night and day. Wrote to Father and my dear wife, and Charles Parkin. One thousand eighty-five miles to New York.

Jun. 11. A splendid morning, sailing north. Quite cold, a schooner in sight. Sounded fifty fathoms deep.

Jun. 12. Still steering north, a cold damp fog. A ship following us. A whale in sight. Eight hundred ninety-five miles from New York. Passed the banks of Newfoundland. A heavy fog, a ship in sight, and careful sailing required to avoid a collision. Assisting with the stores (provisions).

Jun. 14. Brother William Hardcastle of Sheffield very sick.

Jun. 15. Water running short. Captain Bell talking of running into Halifax for a supply.

Sunday. On account of some foolishness concerning one or two young women with sailors, counsel was given against it and watchmen set. Four fellowship meetings in different portions of the ship, Elder William Dallin preached in ours. I was called upon to open and close the meeting and to preach awhile. After night, phosphorescent lights on the water around the ship. Quite interesting.

Jun. 17. Two vessels in sight. Four hundred fifty miles from New York. In the afternoon a vessel in full sail passed us. A nice sight. The sunset most beautiful. A land bird fell on deck, quite exhausted.

Jun. 18. Sister Sarah Marsden of Sheffield fell and hurt herself severely. President William Gibson having become addicted to taking too much strong drink, Brothers John Clarke and F. [Francis] M. Lyman were compelled to take charge of the company.

Jun. 19. Brother Hardcastle continuing very sick, was removed to the hospital and placed in the care of Brother William Probert.

Jun. 20. Sounding continually, only about twenty miles from St. George's Shoals. [p.44]

Jun. 21. Getting boxes, etc. ready to land 216 miles from New York.

Jun. 22. Sunday. Brother Hardcastle died at midnight and was buried in the sea at 7:30 a.m. Brothers Clarke and Lyman officiated in the services. Brother Hardcastle was a faithful man, aged fifty years. He having given me authority, I took charge of his effects. A pilot came on board at 2 a.m. I got up and saw him come on board. One hundred fifty-two miles from New York. Meeting held, Presidents Clarke and Lyman advising us to our conduct after landing. I wrote to Sister Hardcastle informing her of her husband's death. A shark in sight. Two meetings held in the evening and we had a good time.

Jun. 23. Very calm and very hot. Examined Brother Hardcastle's effects. One hundred twenty-two miles from New York. Becalmed, some large black fish about. Sister Emma Ford very sick, administered to her.

Jun. 24. Light wind, three vessels in sight under full sail. Fifty-five miles from New York. We have 812 passengers on board.

Jun. 25. Land Oh! Land in sight about 6 a.m. The steam tug, "Henry Binden" at 7:30 took us in tow. About 10 o'clock a most beautiful sight--miles of land, green and nice, houses, dozens of vessels bound in and out. Several batteries at the entrance of the harbor, the scenery most splendid. Passed the doctor about 2 o'clock. I being the first passed, and thus being able to get below deck, collected my baggage together. One more night on shipboard.

Jun. 26. Passed the customs officers with but little trouble. A busy time assisting John Clarke, collecting fares from New York to Florence. Landed at Castle Garden. Strolled about New York. A very fine city, but everything looks nice to be on land again. The customs officers were very lenient with us, and someone through loosely talking about the matter was overheard, and caused the matter to be reported. The officers went "through" us again, and not feeling first rate did some damage. Slept with Brother Gibson at the [p.45] Steven's Hotel. Brother and Sister Clarke also staying there. No news from my wife or father.

Jun. 27. Busy getting luggage from the custom house, very hot weather. In company with Brother Clarke visited Brother Horace Eldridge, church emigration agent. Received a letter from Brother Sloan. A Brother Phillips had thirty pounds taken out of his pocket. The "Antarctic" with Saints on board arrived and emigrants landed today. They will go on with us. About 8 p.m. boarded the train at the Hudson River Depot, Chambers Street, drawn through the city by horses. Started west fairly about 10 p.m.

Jun. 28. Awoke about 4:30 a.m. traveling on the side of the river. Very pleasant to see the green grass and trees. Got off the train and gathered wild flowers. We felt and acted like little children. Many fishermen's huts by river. Arrived at Albany about 10 a.m. Crossed the river in steamer "New York." Left Albany about 1 p.m. Seemed strange to us for the railway to be in the town streets. Two old brethren left behind, but were brought up after. Nice scenery, cultivation rough and scanty. Route via Rome, Utica, etc.

Jun. 29. Sunday. Passed though a finely cultivated country this morning. Stayed in Rochester about two hours and walked about the town, a pretty place. Took a good bath in the river. About noon reached Niagara City and crossed the fine suspension bridge to Clifton. A good view of the Falls a mile distance. Scenery wild and grand. Afterward stopped a while at (I think) Toronto. Lake Ontario, a fine large body of water near the town. The wildest scenery today I have ever seen.

Jun. 30. Awoke about 5 o'clock in sight of Lake Erie. A vessel under full sail in sight. Arrived at Winchester [Windsor] about 6:30. Crossed the river to Detroit. Before this we had eighteen cars, here we were pushed into twelve, which were much crowded. Passed through a fine country, crops look well. Whilst at Rochester I overheard a party of men talking about us, and various opinions were expressed. One man said they think we were fools but we were wise men and our children would be free and rich in a fine country. There [p.46] appears to be much bad feeling about Utah trying to be admitted as a state.

Jul. 1. About 7 a.m. in sight of Lake Michigan. Shortly after we arrived at Chicago, a fine place. Left there about 12 noon. A fine view of the lake, a very many vessels in sight. Now we were comfortably seated and plenty of room. Illinois appears to be a flat fertile country. Hundreds of cattle grazing on the prairies. A child died last night. Stopped at a village and cleaned them out of bread.

Jul. 2. Sister Spencer was confined during the night. Reached Quincy--leaving there about noon--steaming down the Mississippi to Hannibal, Missouri, about 20 miles. Left Hannibal about 4 p.m. Saw first signs of the Civil War, passing a party of soldiers guarding a bridge. We are very near the lines. Something wrong with the engine, having to stop at very short distances. I walked some about Hannibal.

Jul. 3. Very hot and close, suffered much from my feet swelling. Passed a camp of soldiers this evening not far off. Again another company guarding a bridge. Whilst we were running at a pretty good gait, the engine ran into a truck, and smashed it to our danger and the danger of the men on the truck. Lots more soldiers (Federals). Arrived at St. Joseph about noon. Met Apostle C. [Charles] C. Rich and his son Joseph there. Many soldiers in the town, and quite an excitement because of us. I and Brothers Clarke and William Dallin slept at a hotel and heard many threats against our people. This morning Brother Henry Jones from Chesterfield whilst jumping on the train broke a rib.

Jul. 4. Great excitement here, it being Independence Day. Samuel Whitehead (formerly of Sheffield but now residing in St. Joseph's) came to the depot to see me, but it being only a few minutes before the steamboat left I had but a short visit with him. In the short time I learned he had been to Utah, apostatized and returned. Told me some bad stories about the Church authorities, etc. and wanted me to stay in St. Joseph. Administered to Brother Henry Jones. Left St. Joseph's about 6:30 p.m. per steamboat. [p.47]

Jul. 5. Slept last night in the open air on the hurricane deck of the steamboat with William Dallin (returning missionary). A very hot day. Sister Spencer, who was confined, is very sick. Some splendid scenery as we steam up the river. The water of the River Missouri is very muddy.

Jul. 6. Sunday. Sister Spencer died during the night, also Robert Davis (an old man from Wiltshire), aged 68, from drinking too much water. Brother Jones much better. Buried the two dead by the bank of the river. Towards night, stopped a short time at Council Bluffs. Landed at Florence about midnight. . . . [p.48]

. . . Sept. 30 . . About noon came in sight of Salt Lake City. O how my heart leaped from joy at the grand sight. The Zion I had so longed wished to see. Brother Thornton not going into the city but turning toward Cottonwood about three miles from it, & left him and walked alone to the city. Got there middle of the afternoon. Went to Emigration Station but could find no one I know. Found Brother Brownlow (from Sheffield) at President Young's office. He took me home, telling me that my wife and little one, and father were in the city. Father came in shortly and gave me a warm welcome, and then went off and in a few minutes brought in Emma, my dear wife, and the little son I had not seen before. After seventeen months separation I was overjoyed to meet them all. . . . [p.59]

BIB: Memmott, Thomas, Thomas Memmott Journal, vol. 1, ed. By H. Kirk Memmott (privately printed, 1976) pp. 40-48, 59. (CHL)
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