Progress of the Emigration from Copenhagen to Liverpool.Liverpool, Jan. 8, 1855.President F. [Franklin] D. Richards.

Dear Sir — In accordance with your request, I proceed to write a brief sketch of the journeying of the Scandinavian emigrating Saints from Copenhagen to Liverpool.

We left Copenhagen on the steamer "Cimbria," Captain Engel, on the 24th of November, being over 300 in number, all in good health and excellent spirits, and arrived at Frederikshaven, a sea port on the east coast of Gothland, at 10 o'clock next morning, where we were to embark 143 more passengers. During the after noon we took their luggage on board, and early in the morning to the 26th they embarked, after they were mustered by the police. Our prospects were very fair till about two o'clock next morning, when the wind turned southwest, and began to blow so heavy that our captain, who I found was very cautious and of much experience as a seaman, deemed it necessary to turn about, and seek the nearest harbor in Norway.

Before four o'clock in the afternoon we arrived in the port of Mandal, which is an excellent natural harbor, surrounded by very high and steep granite rocks, which were as much of a curiosity to the Danes as a ship load of "Mormon" emigrants were to the people of Mandal.

Here we lay till the 7th of December, during which time many lodged on shore, and the people were uncommonly hospitable. The brethren were frequently requested to come and preach, and on informing me of the same, I gave them such instructions as I though proper, and let them go with my blessing.

When I wrote to President Van Cott, I informed him of the circumstance, and I also wrote to Elder Peterson, the President of The Norwegian Mission, suggesting the idea of sending some missionary down to make use of the opening.

On the morning of the 7th, after witnessing storms and tempestuous winds nearly every day or night, it appeared so far favorable that the captain thought he would venture to start, yet as all the other captains and the pilots in port advised him not to, he hesitated till 11 o'clock. Captain Rasmussen, from Copenhagen, who had been exceedingly kind, and rendered us much assistance, came out with us as far as the pilot came, and when he left he said, "You will surely come back."

It was rather calm till toward midnight, when it commenced blowing from southwest, and the sea rolled very high and violently. Very soon part of the bulwarks were broken in, and some boxes crushed. It became worse and worse, and at about two in the morning, the Captain said he would turn about and put back.

We preferred Mandal to any other place, but the wind, waves, and strong current rendered it very dangerous to turn the vessel to run in, wherefore we had to go clear back to Frederikshaven, where we arrived on the 9th, about four p. m., and found many vessels bound for England, and more came in every day.

We lay here weather bound till the 20th, half-past six a. m.; during which time we had almost continually rough weather and contrary winds. I had as many as possible go ashore, and we had much to do to take care of our wet clothes and bedding.

In this town our missionaries previously never could get any entrance, but we had many meetings and left a good impression.

Before we left, the chief of the police requested the captain and myself to come to his office, which we did, and were treated very kindly by said gentleman, who, after asking some questions to satisfy himself that all was well with us, and our answers being recorded, he made us promise that we would see that the passengers had provisions enough, and were taken every possible care of to prevent sickness on board. You may know that so many people piled together as we were, and having been almost buried in the sea, could not look very agreeable to a gentleman of the better class.

When leaving this port, we had very good prospects, and felt refreshed, but in the night of the 221st — 22nd, it became [p.70] more rough than ever, insomuch that we were obliged to turn about again. Our good captain felt rather discouraged about it, and I must confess that I could not help feeling bad to think of being turned back three times, but the Saints were quite contented, and thanked the Lord for their preservation. About two o'clock the wind suddenly turned north, and the captain immediately steered for Hull again, and we rejoiced.

On the 24th, about noon, we anchored in the Humber, and Elder Thomas Williams soon came on board, and told me how you had been looking for us, &c. By his exertions we were enabled to start in the morning per railway, after being very kindly greeted by the Hull Saints. We arriver in Liverpool in the afternoon before four.

The company express much gratitude for the comforts and kind reception they have met with here, and wish me to make it known to you and all who have been assisting. As for myself, I should like to express my feelings, but how can I?

May we live to finish our work, and thus see the fruits of our labors as faithful servants, is the prayer of your humble brother in the New and Everlasting Covenant, in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [THEY THEN WENT ON THE JAMES NESMITH]

P. O. Hansen. [p.71]

BIB: Hansen, P. O. [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 17:5 (Feb. 3, 1855) pp.70-71. (CHL)
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