S. S. Idaho, At sea off Queenstown,June 25, 1874.President Joseph F. Smith.
Dear Brother,--Soon after bidding "goodbye" to you and the brethren and sisters who accompanied us on board, we completed our berthing arrangements and organized the company into ten wards, appointing four chaplains (three Scandinavian and one English,) and the requisite number of guard captains for night service.
After singing and prayer, in the different compartments, all retired last night, feeling well, the water being very smooth.
This morning there is a little more motion to the vessel, of which a few of the people seem to be fully conscious, for the casting up of accounts has commenced, while some others begin to experience that indescribable something which never fails to impart very peculiar feelings.
Most of the Saints are well and, as a matter of course, the songs of Zion are heard reverberating through the air.
The total number of passengers on board is 1,117.
We trust that, through the blessing of the Lord, our company will arrive in health and safety.
Kindly remember us in your prayers, and accept our united love and best wishes.
We are, your brethren,
P. C. Carstenson,George F. Gibbs,John Clark [p.410]
BIB: Carstenson, P. C. et. al., [Letter] Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 36:26 (June 30, 1874) p. 410. (CHL)
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