"DEPARTURES. -- Elder Joseph W. Young, late president of the Preston Conference, and Elder Jonathan Midgley, late president of the Manchester Conference, with a company of 345 souls, under the presidency of Elder Young, sailed on board the Elvira Owen, for New Orleans, on the 15th of February. These two brethren have labored faithfully in this land as ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ; now they have the privilege of going home to Zion, to help still further to roll on the work of the Lord, and build up and establish his kingdom. By letter, from Elder Young, we learn that, when the steam-tug left the vessel, the Saints appeared comfortable and in harmony, having a good prospect of a pleasant voyage. One birth and two marriages had occurred on board, since their embarkation. . . ."
MS, 15:10 (Mar. 5, 1853), p.154
"SIXTY-FOURTH COMPANY. -- Elvira Owen. -- 345 Saints. Under the direction of Joseph W. Young, who had presided over the Preston Conference, a company of three hundred and forty-five Saints sailed from Liverpool on the fifteenth of February, 1853, on board the ship Elvira Owen. Among the emigrating Saints was Jonathan Midgley who had presided over the Manchester Conference.
On the twenty-third of March, 1853, after a most speedy voyage lasting only thirty-six days, the Elvira Owen arrived at the bar at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Three births, three marriages and three deaths occurred during the voyage. There were a few cases of small-pox, which, however, did not prove fatal, and the disease did not spread to any great extent. Captain Owen treated the Saints with much kindness, especially the sick, and a memorial, expressive of their gratitude for his fatherly conduct to all, was presented to him by the passengers.
After being detained at the bar several days the Elvira Owen was towed up the river, and the emigrants landed in New Orleans on the thirty-first of March. Proceeding up the Mississippi River the emigrants arrived in Keokuk on the thirteenth of April, being two days short of two months from Liverpool, which was considered an extraordinarily rapid journey. (Millennial Star, Vol. XV, pp.154, 288 and 361)."
Cont., 13:10 (Aug. 1892), p.463
"Tues. 15. [Feb 1853] -- The Elvira Owen sailed from Liverpool, England, with 345 Saints, under the direction of Joseph W. Young. It arrived at New Orleans March 31st.
"
CC, p.47
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