New York, April 26, 1881.President A. Carrington.
Dear Brother,--After leaving Queenstown at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning, the 17th instant, we had very fine weather up till Wednesday afternoon, making good time with fair wind and smooth sea, the sun also being our welcome and pleasant companion. On Wednesday afternoon, however, head winds set in, and, as a consequence, we encountered heavy seas, the vessel rolling and pitching considerably. Of course this necessarily occasioned considerable seasickness on board, and most of the Saints confined themselves to their berths; but this did not last long. On Saturday morning the wind changed and the sea became more calm, and, as a result, the Saints appeared more frequently on deck, and with much more pleasant countenances.
Their general health has been and is good, but it is our sad duty to report one death - that of brother William Bailey, from the Tupton Branch of the Sheffield Conference, who died of consumption, and was buried in the sea about 400 miles from New York, as we were not permitted to carry him to land. He was a young man about twenty-two years of age, and died in full faith in the gospel.
We have held several interesting meetings on board with the Saints, administering the sacrament to the people, and imparting words of encouragement and consolation. We also had a very enjoyable time in a concert held two nights ago among our people, several of the officers of the ship, as well as some of the passengers, being present.
We landed here about five o'clock this afternoon, being met by Elder William C. Staines. The voyage throughout has been generally very prosperous.
The brethren and Saints desire kind remembrances to yourself and all in the mission, and our prayers ascend night and morning to the Lord God of sabbath, that he will speedily open up the way whereby his faithful Saints may gather up to Zion, and rejoice more fully in the eternal truth of life and salvation.
Praying the revelations of God to continually guide you in all your labors, we remain,
Your brethren in the gospel,
David C. Dunbar, president,James H. Wallis, clerk.
P.S. 6 p.m., April 27th. We are now safe on the cars, all ready for our journey overland. We expect to start in half an hour. All the company are well.
D.C.D.J.H.W. [p.314]
BIB: Dunbar, David [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 43:20 (May 16, 1881) p. 314. (CHL)
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