Wednesday February 22nd 1854. Left Liverpool about 6 o'clock a.m., the wind being in our favor. Brother [Phillip] Squires died about eight o'clock p.m. We were driven out of our course and about 10 o'clock p.m. found ourselves near the Isle of Man. About 11 o'clock p.m. we past Holyhead where that awful ship wreck was a few weeks ago. The steam tug left us about 2 o'clock the same afternoon. The pilot remained on board all night.
Thursday 23rd. A vessel in sight. The captains spoke to each other. She was bound for [-] Liverpool. One of the boats was towed and the pilot was put on board the same. [p. 1] Brother [Phillip] Squires was a very old man, very asthmatic from [-] London. He was thrown overboard. A few minutes after 7 o'clock a.m. today we went past part of a wreck consisting of two masts &c. It was a distressing sight. We are yet in the Irish Channel. The wind blows a gale, nearly all on board are sick very badly. Today caught a very bad cold with being on deck so long the day before. My throat is very bad. I was sitting on a barrel of meat by the side of the forehold and there was a lather near same and the wind and waves was raging and the ship [-] and she gave [p. 2] a sudden lurch and I goes and my seat with me, right under the lather to the side of the ship and was thrown back again with great violence to the top of the main hatchway and was nearly going backwards down the same, but fortunately caught with my right arm the hand railing that had been put there for the brethren and sisters to go up and down by.
Saturday 25th. Fine morning. Making a south westerly course at the rate of eight and a half knots an hour. Passed near the Harbor of Cork about 8 o'clock a.m. Saw a small schooner and steamer about 4 or 5 p.m. We saw a part of Ireland and a rock which stands near the [p. 3] near the [SIC] extremities of the land. Irish Channel about 8 o'clock p.m. We passed Cape Clear and entered into Atlantic Ocean.
Monday 27th. Stormy day. About 400 miles from Liverpool. My cold is rather better, my throat is mending very fast.
Tuesday 28th. Fine day.
First March 1854. Sister Powell was delivered of a stillborn child about 10 o'clock a.m. Am nearly recovered from the effects of the seasickness and the cold that I caught and sailing moderately. Saw two vessels and sailing 10 knots an hour the forepart of the day.
4th Saturday. A fine day. Sailing moderately in the evening. The the [SIC] cooking stove with the [p. 4] violence of the wind and the rolling of the ship gave way and made a tremendous din [meaning noise], for it is a very large and is composed of two ovens and has 3 or 4 boilers. It is about two yards long from one [end] to one [end] and a half broad. It broke loose from its fastening and ran from one side to the other just in proportion to the moving of the ship until we got the steward up with a light when it was made fast with ropes.
Sunday 5th. Well this morning. Sailing at 7 knots an hour. Saints generally well. A few of the sailors and passengers were engaged in repairing the cooking stove; therefore, we [p. 5] had to dispense with our cooking till about 3 p.m.
6th Rather high wind, a heavy sea. In the forenoon a little girl died, the daughter of Job Smith, late president of the Bedfordshire Conference.
Tuesday 7th. Rather high winds, heavy sea sailing.
Wednesday high winds, heavy sea. Sailing in a southern by east course.
Thursday 9th. Sailing south at a moderate rate, severely cold.
Friday 10th. Through sea lost about two sails.
Saturday 11th. Stormy.
Sunday 12th. About 11 o'clock a.m. we lost our fore-topmasts staysail. It was torn to pieces. The wind roared like thunder and waves [p. 6] almost as large as mountains rolled on either side.
Monday 13th. All last night has been stormy but the storm is now rather abated. It lasted about 18 hours. Our captain despaired of ever seeing land again. Elder Carns [Daniel Garn] said that nothing but the faith and prayers of the Saints could save the ship. About 7 o'clock p.m. the wind began to blow fiercely. Some of our sails were torn up.
Tuesday 14th. Had a stormy night. Lost another sail, but the storm is abated.
Wednesday 15th. Nothing particular transpired. [p. 7]
Thursday 16th. Best day we have had since we left Liverpool.
Friday 17th. The morning is cold but wet. Fire broke out under the general cooking stove about 10 a.m. but was soon quieted.
Saturday 18th. It is a delightful morning. Many of the Saints are on deck.
Sunday 19th This morning the wind blows fiercely. About 4 o'clock p.m. a whale was seen.
Monday 20th. Stormy day. About 3 p.m. wind changed instantaneously and caused a great consternation. The ship was stopped immediately and sails turned.
Tuesday 21th. Fine morning. Fair wind [p. 8] sailing at the rate of 10 knots an hour. Saw two ships.
Wednesday 22th. Rather cold. Sailing from 8 to 10 knots an hour. About 12 a.m. a little child died namely Elan Curl [Ellen Kearl] daughter of James and Ann Curl [Kearl] she was thrown over board about 2 p.m. in latitude 40-15, longitude 45.
Thursday 23th. Very cold. Sailing 8 knots an hour in latitude 40-15, longitude 40.
Friday 24th Sisters [Sarah] Evans and [Anna] Savage were delivered each of a living child. The former about 10 p.m., the latter 11 p.m.
Saturday 25th. High winds & heavy sea. Latitude 30, longitude 47-30.
Sunday 26th Fine morning. [p. 9] Had a meeting on deck. It commenced about half past 2 p.m. Elder Jarves [Jarvis], J. [POSSIBLY John] V. Long addressed us in a powerful manner. The captain and mates appeared to enjoy themselves.
Monday 27th. Of a calm sea, but rather a dull morning. Saw a ship about 12 o'clock a.m. It was sailing in the same course as we. The Saints are generally well.
Tuesday 28. Had a stormy night. The storm subsided about 12 o'clock a.m. In the evening the sea washed over our decks.
Wednesday 29th. The wind is rather strong. About 2 o'clock p.m. [p. 10] porpoises were seen. A very heavy shower of rain between 8 and 9 o'clock p.m.
Thursday 30th. A still but dull morning. A fair wind.
Friday 31st. The sun rose beautifully. Its appearance was like a furnace upon the waters a few of the brethren had a wash about half past 5 o'clock a.m. Stood on the fore bows of the ship while a few of those brethren worked the pump and plugged the water pipe upon them. Saw a Dutch vessel about 4 o'clock p.m. One of the sailors is taken with the smallpox. [p. 11]
Saturday April first. Fine morning. Me and some 5 or 6 more of the brethren were on deck about 5 p.m. and to keep up the old charter went to the fore hatchway and shouted down the same and asked the brethren if they was not going to get up and see the whale which caused a great bit of fun we putting the others coats on &c. Bad winds. Sailing 11 knots an hour. Many of the Saints are on deck busy making their tents and wagon covers.
Sunday 2nd. Had two meetings on the poop deck. One in the afternoon [p. 12] and one in the evening. Elder Jarvis preached in the afternoon, Elder Long and President Carns [Daniel Garn] in the evening. Had a [-], me and Brother William Burton united together. We found plumbs, the other flower [UNCLEAR], the other which was very nice when done. Sailing at the rate of from 10 to 12 knots an hour.
Monday 3rd. There are six or 7 new cases of smallpox according to report. Several are running about without either shoes or stockings.
Tuesday April 4th arose about 5 o'clock a.m. a very large fish was seen. In the [p. 13] evening had had [SIC] meeting on the poop deck. Elders [John J.] Hardy, [Robert] Menzies, [Graham] Duglas, [William] McGhie, Albiston, Smith, Carns [Garn] bore testimony to the work.
Wednesday 5th. Arose about 4 o'clock a.m. Were in a calm. Near the ship there was not a wave to be seen, while at a distance we saw the waves rolling towards us as a lively breeze moved upon the waters. We watched it till it caught our sails and made our pass more quickly. In the evening had a meeting. Elder Amos Evans and [Thomas] Perks addressed us. And the weather is more hot than ever. I observed in England. Sailing [p. 14] slowly.
Thursday April 6th. We celebrated the birthday of the Church. Commenced our meeting about 5 o'clock p.m. Elder Carns [Garn] delivered a discourse.
Friday April 7th. Arose about 5 o'clock p.m. Had a bath about 4 p.m. [UNCLEAR]. Nice sailing, about 7 knots an hour. About eight o'clock a.m. were sailing from 8 to 10 knots an hour. In the evening the moon shone perpendicular upon the deck. Several of the young brethren and sisters play at what is commonly the kissing ring.
Saturday 8th. About 5 o'clock a.m. while bathing we discovered the island of Santo Domingo which is one of the West Indies Islands [p. 15] and is inhabited by the blacks. Sailed along its coast a little after 12 o'clock a.m. Saw a large fish. It appeared to be like a bow and was a deep red. About 4 o'clock p.m. a little boy died whose name is David, soon after which he was thrown overboard. About 5 p.m. we sailed past a brig.
Sunday April 9th. Had preaching afternoon and evening. Afternoon Elders Albiston, Smith, and Carns [Garn]. Evening Elders [Robert] Menzies and Carns [Garn] so hot that many slept on deck all night.
Monday April 10th. Arose a little after 5 o'clock a.m. Saw the land of Cuba which is the chief island in the West Indies. About half past 10 o'clock [p. 16] a.m. Brother Charles Dee died and was immediately sewed up in a sheet. His bed and bedclothes were thrown overboard soon after with a plank was laid with an end in the hole on the side of the ship of the side of the ship [SIC] and the other on the top of the main hatchway. He then was brought out of the hospital and laid upon the plank when Elder W. [William] McGhie delivered a short address and offered up prayer. A few more minutes and he was sunk beneath the waves. The water was so clear that we could see him after he had sank several yards. While funeral was going on [p. 17] the bell was tolling which sounded like some old parish bells. Sister Hardy was delivered of a son.
Tuesday April 11th. Emma, Marey and Fanny Brooks have been sorely afflicted with the smallpox. Marey is nearly well but Fanny and Emma died. Fanny died about half past 10 o'clock p.m. and was buried 2 o'clock p.m. Prayer was offered by Elder Pecks Emma died about 9 o'clock a.m. and was buried soon after. Prayer was offered up by Elder Albiston. There is a dreadful smell in the ship. Nevertheless, my health is good for which I thank my God. The weather is extremely [p. 18] hot. We have had calm almost all day. We lost sight of Santo Domingo.
Wednesday April 12. This morning we have a gentle breeze. Are sailing about 6 knots an hour. In the afternoon a dolphin - fish was caught. It had several small fish found in it. The smallpox have prevailed over since their commencement and is very bad now. There are many sharks here near Santo Domingo, Cuba, and Jamaica which are between the tropic. They have summer all the year round. In the evening a meeting was called to thank the Lord for blessings - and to ask him to stay the smallpox. The wind [p. 19] commenced about 6 o'clock p.m.
Thursday April 13. Eight o'clock p.m. Sister [Ann] Bradshaw from the Hyde Branch of the Manchester Conference, while in the hospital and suffering from smallpox, was delivered of a boy.
Friday 14th. In the afternoon we passed what the sailors call the [-] of vines within sight. Sisters Mason and Morley having got a little of the forementioned dolphin we had a little. It tasted very well but rather oily.
Saturday April 15th. About half past 1 o'clock a.m. John Long, a little boy died. The son of J. [John] V. Long and was buried about two [p. 20] o'clock a.m. Sailing from 8 to 10 knots an hour.
Sunday April 16th. In the forepart of the day we were sailing from 8 to 10 knots an hour, but rather a head wind. About 10 o'clock a.m. we saw three hills or mountains which some call the "three sugar lumps." Near the same time a little girl died, the daughter of Sister [Anna M. Savage. The day was wet. Consequently, we had no meetings.
Monday April 17th. We saw three ships. One came so near that they spoke to us. Before they came so near our captain sent 4 of the sailors and the first [p. 21] mate with a boat to see if they could get any provisions but they were denied. We had a head wind.
Tuesday April 18th. A fine morning. Very near the shore and we could see the trees. The three forementioned ships were near us. We were in a calm. Our captain sent his men again to another of those ships. We succeeded in getting some provisions consisting of beef, biscuits and so forth. Sister [-] was delivered of a living child. Many of the Saints are short of provisions having got but half allowance on Saturday last, and that being two days after the usual time. About two or three o'clock p.m. the [p. 22] breeze came suddenly and in a few hours brought us in sight of Cape San Antonio. We passed the Cape about 5 o'clock p.m. and entered the Gulf of Mexico. A short time before we entered the Gulf saw a large fish. Towards its tail it was as far round it as a man's body. We had meeting on the poop deck which commenced about half past 5 o'clock p.m. Elder Pecks and Carns [Garn] addressed us.
Wednesday April 19th. One biscuit allowed per day which is to be continued while they last. A little after 11 o'clock several hundreds of porpoises were seen. The first mate tried to catch some but [p. 23] could not. We had a head wind.
Thursday April 20th. About 8 knots an hour. Notwithstanding the wind is rather ahead in the after part of the day the wind was in our favor. Saw a ship about 6 o'clock p.m. had a meeting on the poop deck, we were addressed by Elders McGhie and Carns [Garn]. Saw two ships. The general topic of conversation was how long shall we be before we shall meet the steamer to take us up to New Orleans.
Saturday 22. A fine morning. About 6 o'clock a.m. saw several ships and steamers. About 7 o'clock a.m. a steamer came up to us [p. 24] when near 30 miles from the bay to haul us in on our arrival at the bay or bar cast anchor. About 4 or 5 o'clock p.m. We started up the River Mississippi for New Orleans.
Sunday April 23. Near all the Saints on deck viewing the poor old and young Negroes, the horses, cows, sheep, dogs, hens, chickens &c and having been depressed of seeing those things for upwards of two months they looked upon them as being part and parcel of the 7 wonders of the world. Arrived at New Orleans about 8 o'clock p.m. About 2 o'clock p.m. a little boy named Davis died of the smallpox was buried in the river.
Monday April 24th. In the [p. 25] afternoon all ordered not to go onshore as the people were not alarmed about us having the smallpox on board. About 4 or 5 o'clock p.m. a man came with a conveyance to convey all the sick to a hospital.
Tuesday 25th. Our vessel was taken a considerable distance down the river to lay in quarantine.
Wednesday 26th. Forenoon the inspector came on board to inspect the things of those that were going to stop in New Orleans. He gave us all permission to go ashore to get provisions. Many of the brethren did so.
Thursday 27th. Went on shore about [p. 26] 9 o'clock a.m. to buy provisions to serve going up the river to St. Louis. All the brethren and sisters are very busily engaged in packing up for the steamboat, which is expected this morning. Called the "Grand Tower. " She came alongside about 9 o'clock a.m., all are as busy as possible in removing their luggage out of the Windermere to the steamboat there [- -]. One of the brethren lost part of his goods overboard. About 5 o'clock p.m. started up the River Mississippi.
Friday April 28th. About 10 or 11 o'clock a.m. Baton Rouge was in view on our right hand. It is in the state [p. 27] of Louisiana and is the capital of the state.
Saturday April 29th. About 8 o'clock a.m. we passed the city of [-] which is in the state of Mississippi. A little after the steamer having stopped for wood several of us went onshore. Saw three rabbits or hares. Brother Robert [POSSIBLY Hewitt] caught one. The steamer stopped three or four times for wood.
Sunday April 30th. About 3 o'clock p.m. we stopped at Vicksburg for coal. Forenoon while the sailors were getting wood we went onshore. Saw a big hut and other interesting things.
Monday 1st of May [p. 28] 1854 arose about 4 o'clock a.m. In the evening had heavy rains.
Tuesday May 2nd. About 12 o'clock a.m. we arrived at the city of Memphis where we stopped about a half an hour.
Wednesday 3rd. In the morning about 4 o'clock a.m. a thick fog let in. Our Captain thought it was safe to travel; therefore, he drove the steamer to the side of the river where we remained till about 7 o'clock a.m. From about 5 o'clock a.m. to the starting of the steamer several of the brethren were out shooting. [p. 29] [ABRUPT END TO JOURNEY ACCOUNT]
BIB: Read, Thomas, 1821-. Papers, 1849-1898. [LDS Church Archives, Ms 1293, fd.1; Acc. #31101] pp. 1-29. (CHL)
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