Sept. 1870 - I gave up my work in England to leave that county for America. Left home on the 6th and arrived in Liverpool about 11 o'clock. Got on board the steamship Idaho about 10 o'clock at night. On the Birkenhead side of the Mersey.

September 7th we left the docks and got in the river before noon. I went onshore from the steamer to purchase a few items. As soon as I got back we passed the doctor. Directly after they raised the anchor and we moved out steadily until we got into full steam. All went well the first night. [p.1]

Sept. 8th - Reached Queenstown about past two o'clock took on passengers, mail, etc., and left in a few minutes. Weather fine until evening, when it began to look stormy. We experienced a rough night.

Sept. 9th - The engine broke and caused a delay of 8 hours. I began to be sick today. The vessel rocked terribly.

Sept. 10th - My sickness left me and I began to feel well.

Sunday, Sept. 11th - Today we had fine weather. Passed the "S.S. City of Dublin" in the afternoon. We had our first meeting on board which was addressed by F. [Frank] H. Hyde, George Romney, W. W. Taylor, John S. Lewis, John Albiston, and Levi W. Richards. After which Brothers W. Cooper, Davis, and myself were appointed to look [p.2] after the company and see that things were kept in order. We had prayers at night. All went well.

12 - The morning fine and pleasant. Good sailing. Passed a small ship in the forenoon. In the afternoon the wind rose a little but in our favor. It continued to increase. Another vessel hove insight. The night set in wet and stormy, but all went well.

13 - Morning rather wet but calm. Later the wind increased. The sun shone brightly with storms at intervals, the ship rolling heavily. In the afternoon the sea rose to mountains. Had to go below before supper.

14 - The weather still continued rough. [p.3] The ship pitching heavily. A child died among the gentile passengers. In the afternoon a ship came in sight which looked as if they had no control of it. The weather still continued rough. Had to keep down all day.

15 - Morning dull with rain. The sea still rolling heavily. The wind changed to the northwest not able to get out. The afternoon turned out fine and the sea got calm, and we began to make more headway. Passed a small schooner sailing west in the evening. We sighted another vessel. The night fine and calm. All went on fine.

16 - Morning foggy. The whistle had to be sounded for a long time. The sun got out and the afternoon was fine [p.4] and pleasant. Saw a pair of sharks this morning. The weather continued fine throughout the day. We sighted a vessel in the afternoon.

17 - Morning dull but calm. About ten the mist cleared away. On looking around I found out that the storm we had weathered had been more severe then I had realized. The sea having swept off the railings at the stern of the vessel and damaged the hatchway of the forepart of the ship. Today the sea is a calm as can be looking like a fish pond in the afternoon. The engine broke again and delayed us 3 hours. After this they could only work one part of the engine. The weather being fine, we made pretty good progress, but nothing like we should had, [if] all been right. The [weather] kept clear and fine. [p.5]

18 - The morning was very misty but still calm. Later the mist cleared up and was fine. We were inside of some vessels said to be French Man of War vessels. The climate feels to be getting warmer and we all feel fine. Making good progress considering our misfortunes with the engine. In the afternoon we had our meeting. The affair passed off well. After meeting, the wind freshened up and the sea got very rough. The wind in our favor. Towards the evening the storm increased and we all had to go down for the night. The ship labored heavily as night came on. The sea got rougher and we got such a tossing that we won't easily forget the waves breaking over the side of the vessel and some of them coming down below. A French steamer passed us today. [p.6]

19 - Morning. About 4 o'clock we had a very heavy sea, but the wind was not so strong. About six the wind rose and we had the roughest time I have seen. It blew like big guns before they could take in the sails. They were torn to shreds. About eight the wind ceased and it kept getting calmer all day, but the [sea] was like mountains. Afternoon the weather cleared up and the sea got smoother all the time. The evening set in fine with all the appearance of a pleasant passage. The rest of the way, twas a little sick tossing in the storm.

20 - Morning 4 a.m. opened fine. The finest morning we have had since we came on board. At half past eight the pilot came on board. We started with a pleasant weather. Afternoon we saw a large sailing ship and lots of small vessels. The weather [p.7] yet continued fine and rather warm. The evening was one of the finest we have seen since we have been on the water with one of the loveliest sunsets that ever I beheld. The stars shown out brightly through the night and the sea calm as could be.

21st - Morning bright and pleasant. The afternoon was rather warm. Everybody out on deck enjoying themselves and getting the morning breeze. Saw what we took to be the first sight of land from the time that we first saw land sights that were new to us kept springing before us all the time. And some of the picturesque scenery I ever saw. The first glimpse of America pleased me in the extreme as we drew near the land the view was more pleasing. The old boat rode [p.8] slowly up the river and dropped her anchor at half past three. In the afternoon we passed the doctor and the cabin passengers and some of the others left the ship, but we stayed on overnight. As it grew late, before our baggage could be hauled upon deck, we had to spend the night as best we could. Most of the folks had thrown their beds. We got little or no sleep. Part of the night we spent on deck watching the steamers plying on the river. This was a real pretty sight with the gas lights of the city. I think the river steamer surpass all I ever saw in England.

22nd - All up and stirring early to have things in readiness to go on shore. The baggage was all got up by six o'clock. Then we had breakfast and went on deck. At seven [p.9] the tug came along side and the customs officers opened the boxes, & c. After this we left the Idaho for Castle Garden. This is a nice place for the emigrants to land as there is every convenience for the passengers. There is no comfort at Liverpool compared with the place. The folks are safe so long as they keep in here. I was well pleased with the arrangements here. [--] here all day after getting the baggage ready for the cars. We got some of the best eatables here that we had tasted for some time. We got a good breakfast on bread and milk. I think the [best] I ever tasted. After our refreshments we went out in the city of New York to find a post office. There is some of the finest building I have seen anywhere. I like the general appearance of the city very much. [p.10] The streets are lively and the vehicles are constructed better for both man and animal. The teamsters looked like gentlemen and have a very different appearance than in England. Their horses have a fine appearance, but they are not so large and heavy as English cart horses. The stores are different from those in England. I could scarcely tell where to find anything that I wanted. The difference in the money was rather awkward to me at first, but I soon got used to it. There is plenty of fruit: apples, peaches, c. But [-] we got tea in Castle Garden and then started for the railroad at five o'clock we got on board the river steamer "Trenton" and was on the cars of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad at 6 o'clock. Thus far the arrangements, proved satisfactory. [p. 11]

The train got in motion at half past 7 o'clock and we began to leave the city of New York behind us. I would have liked to pass through it by daylight and have seen the sights. As we ran through the streets, it seemed funny to ride through the open streets in the railroad cars. After we left the lights of the city, we saw nothing, save a few buildings by the side of the road, but could not tell what they were. We all felt sleepy after getting seated in the cars we cared a little for anything else. All well so far on our journey. [p.12] [END OF JOURNAL]

BIB: Wright, W. J. Journal (Ms 9888), pp.1-12 (CHL).
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