New York, September 20th, 1873.President Albert Carrington

Dear Brother--Our company came ashore this morning; the health of the Saints is generally good. Brother [John] Fairbanks has been ill most of the way, but is now quite well. We have had no deaths or births during the voyage, but have had one marriage.

We have encountered head winds most of the way. After leaving Queenstown, we made three short stops to repair the machinery which caused a delay of about five hours. With this exception all went on well until the evening of the 15th, when at about ten minutes after six o'clock, the captain discovered by the lighthouse, on Sable Island, that we were off our course. The ship was immediately turned to the south, but in a few minutes afterwards we bumped heavily on a sandbank. In five minutes more we were completely fast. All then became excitement. The lifeboats were ordered to be got ready, guns of distress were fired, and the blue lights sent up, but no reply was received from the shore. Orders were then given to throw the cargo overboard, which was vigorously kept up until twenty minutes after one o'clock, a.m., when the word was given - "she floats." We steamed back on the course we came, for a short distance, and went in on the north side of the island.

The captain was very cool and collected, giving his orders in quick succession. We were moving among the Saints, who kept remarkably self-possessed, speaking words of hope, and assuring them that all would soon be right.

The sea was calm, there being no wind at all during the time that we were on the bank.

We leave here today. The officers of the ship have been very kind and attentive. We hope to have a pleasant journey by rail.

With kind regards to yourself and all at "42," [42 ISLINGTON WAS THE ADDRESS OF THE BRITISH MISSION IN LIVERPOOL] we remain your brethren and fellow laborers in the gospel,

John B. Fairbanks,A. P. Soderborg,J. C. A. Weibze,E. W. Snow . [p.635]

BIB: Fairbanks, John B. et al [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 35:40, (Oct. 7, 1873) p. 635. (CHL)
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