April 23, 1862. Tug steamer came alongside and weighed anchor. Brother [Joseph C.] Rich sent us a crock of butter. The tug "Retriever" left us at 10:35 a.m. The wind blew very hard. The passengers were very sick. Spent most of the day helping the sick. The stench of the sickness made me a little sick. Went to bed at 4:00 p.m. Had one death — a child. [-] was appointed ship's messenger to the captain.

24th. Arose in the morning at 5:00 p.m. Felt well. Got a nice breakfast. Went below to assist the sick. The wind abated and the passengers felt much better.

At 12:00 p.m. committed the child that [p. 8] had died the previous day to the stormy deep. This part of our days business caused unpleasant sensations in the ship. On account of big winds we were obliged to sail to the north of Ireland. At 1:50 p.m. came in sight of the Irish coast. The wind was very mild and we had but slow progress. As regards sickness, but little.

Friday the 25th, April, 1862. The wind was very still. Had a calm. The sea rolled in high wells. Was in sight of land on both sides. Scotland and Ireland close to [-]. Kept tacking sail. Some feelings arose with the First Mate and our passengers.

26th. Continued calm. Some small fishing boats came to our ship. The passengers bought fish of them. Some little sickness on board. Pleasant during the night. Made but little progress. [p. 9]

27th. Sunday. Still a calm morning. At 10:00 A.M. the bugle was sounded for all to come on deck to a meeting. Brother [James S.] Brown gave some good advice regarding our present position. At 6:00 p.m. again meeting convened in the aft of the ship. While singing the boatswain [or bos'n] and Sailors made some disturbance. The Captain ordered them to Forecastle. The wind commenced to rise. Had all sails set. The ship pitched very bad during the night. Some were sick.

28th. Morning rather calm. Spent the forenoon reading and writing. The wind increased. Prospect of storm. Had a slight giddiness in my head owing to the constant tipping of the ship. [p. 10]

29th. Weather calmed. The sea rolled quite bad. Several sick. Some fog. Afternoon some rain. Grew cold. We administered to the sick. Dealt out some provisions to the sick given by the Captain's wife. Heavy wind during the night.

30th. Cold morning. Fair wind. Sailing due west making good headway. All felt much better. Took dinner with the Saints from Nottingham. Fair wind. All well.

Thursday, lst of May. Sailing west by south. Mild winds most of the day. Several continued unwell through the lower decks. Found the sick. Made some gruel for them. Spent a comfortable night. [...] this day left Great Salt Lake City. During the night our top gallant mast was broken. 2 jib booms also went by board. Pleasant morning. During the day [p.11] the sea was lashed into angry foam, pitched and tossed the ship very much. Many sick. During the night water came on board and were rolling on all sides. Some were afraid of going down. At 11 p.m. I went on guard. Had to hang to ropes to keep on the ship. Not very well. Rather inclined to be seasick.

3. Wind abated. Most of the passengers came on deck that were present the previous day. As the waves rolled over our decks and many of us wet through by the salt billows and I had fully my share of it. Afternoon and night very pleasant. All had a good nights rest.

4. Pleasant morning. A steamer passed us early in the morning. I felt uncommon well. Helped the [p .12] sick on deck as the rain subsided about 11 p.m. Had no meeting in the forenoon. Gave a sick sister 10 [-]. Wrote in my journal.

5. The day appointed for the sailing of the ship "Manchester" on this day at 4 p.m. Died, Williams, age 7 years, buried at 7 p.m. His death was occasioned by falling down one of the hatchways. I picked him up in my arms as he fell. His death was occasioned by the effects of the fall, it affecting the brain.

6. Morning pleasant. Wind sailing at rate of from 7 to 9 miles per hour. Carpenter busy preparing the gallant top mast. One of the passengers seen the first mate give one of the sisters a note. I spoke to Brothers [Joseph S.] Rich and [John] Lindsey and the matter was [-]. Pleasant wind. Good sailing [p. 13]

7. Nothing of note during the day.

8. Pleasant morning. Hoisted the top gallant sails which had been carried away by previous storm. The captain gave the first mate a doing for his conduct towards the sisters. All felt fine. Various amusements going on.

9. Slight rain. Fresh breeze. Tacked sail at 9 a.m. At 3 p.m. sighted a sail off our larboard bow. Course east. Fine day, all merry and well.

10. Sun shone brightly. The sea was calm and motionless. Arose at 6 a.m. A ship was laying close to us on the port side and another on our lee[side]. In the night passed a ship.

11 Sunday. Morning calm sea. Several ships in sight. A small schooner [p. 14] passed close side of us bound for Liverpool. The day was pleasant. At 10 a.m. held meeting on deck. At 6 p.m. again assembled for meeting. Just as all were fairly together aft a chain from the top of the main mast broke loose and fell on deck with great force. Had there been no meeting probably someone would have been hurt. Some bad feelings continued with the first mate. The captain occasionally reprimanding him for his bad conduct.

12. The wind blew a strong gale. Occasionally we shipped light seas. Spent the day reading and playing the concertina. Had a bad headache. Brother William Bates brought me a bottle of Old London ale. At night one of the brethren kicked up a row with his wife. Struck his daughter. [p. 15]

Tuesday May the 13/62. Sea was calm and serene. The sun shining brightly from the clear azure sky dispensing its golden hues upon the broad expanse of waters, upon whose untroubled breast we were calmly and quietly reposing; But we were wishing for the calm sea to become awakened so as to speed us on our watery path to accomplish the journey to our western homes in more genial parts of the extended surface of nature's spacious domains. In the afternoon was called to administer to a young lad 3 1/2 years old. At the time, could plainly see the shades of death upon his countenance and only felt to rebuke the powers of darkness and commit him into the hands of the Lord. At eve was again called. Went with Brothers Rich and Lindsey. [p. 16] Attended prayer beside his bed and before Brother Lindsey had concluded the spirit left the lad's body. Its mother was filled with unirrepressable [irrepressible] feelings of sorrow while beside her slept her boy in the arms of death and close by her in bed lay another in the last stages of life. During the night the wind blew and rained considerable.

14. Got up at 1 a.m. Wrote in my journal. At 2:45 a.m. Brother [William] Neilson [Nelson] came and told me that the other lad, the younger brother of the one that died the eve before had just breathed his last. At 12 p.m. Parry and Tom [Thomas] Griffiths were consigned to a watery grave, while their mother sank under the heart rendering scene and was placed in bed.

15. Headwind. 4 sails & one steamer sighted. Tacked ship in the wind. Clipper off our larboard bow. Cold winds. [p. 17]

16. Headwinds, cool air. Children sick. Administered to the sick. Brought them provisions from Captain Thomas's wife. Got up in the night to see Brother James Eckersley's little girl. Boiled some water over candles. Went to bed at 2 a.m.

17. At 6:00 a.m. Emily Eckersley died, age 11 months. Also Sister [Charlotte] Beard's child. Both were buried about noon, same day. The sea was mild and all appeared calm and serene. Spent the after part of the night with Mary Ann Griffeths [Griffiths].

18. Sunday. Foggy on the banks of Newfoundland. Steady breeze. Fair [-]. Had meeting between decks.

19. Foggy on the banks. Attending the sick. Still morning [-] dined with 2 sisters. Quite sick. [p. 18]

20. Pleasant morning off the banks. Fair wind. Sick improving. In the afternoon an old gentleman died of dropsy. At 4 p.m he was consigned to the restless deep. He had a daughter on board and she the only relative.

21. Calm winds and head[winds].

22. Calm. Nothing of note.

23. Sick improving. Eve while tending prayers the first mate set the sailors singing over the hatch to stir up a row. Some words posed.

24. Mild and pleasant. Sails in sight.

May 25. The sun shined with splendor. Light wind. Ship course northwest by west. Steamer passed, bound east. Wind blew hard. High sea. Held meeting. Buried a child. Testimony meeting in the eve. Dead calm. [p. 19]

26. Calm, light, headwind. First mate discharged from duty and confined to his room. Made some threats.

27. Calm, light winds. [-] came close suspicious craft sighted east end of Long Island. In the night seen a light on land. Vote of thanks given to Captain Thomas, captain of the J.J. Boyd.

28. Tacked ship at 11 a.m. At 2:45 p.m. the pilot came on board. Pleasant day. Passengers in high [-]. [p. 20]

29. Running off Long Island, sound. Ships in sight.

30. Light winds, close to land.

31. Fair winds. Preparing for landing.

Sunday, June the 1/62. At daylight, came in sight [of] land at Sandy Hook. At 9 a.m. the doctor came on board. Passed up Hudson River past the "Great Eastern" steamship bound for England. At 10 a.m. cast anchor at the Castle Garden. Brothers Rich, Bates and others came on board.

2. At 12 all on board went to Castle Garden. After inspection of cargo, met T. Daniels and others. Stayed at Williams Hotel. [p. 21]

3. Took charge of the bills paid at Williams Hotel by the Saints. Paid all their bills. At 5:00 p.m. went with the Saints to the station and started up the Hudson River for Albany. Traveled all night.

4 and 5. At 11 a.m. arrived at Albany, changed cars. Crossed the river at 2 p.m. Started for the suspension bridge. Passed Palmyra arrived at Rochester at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. started for the Niagara Falls. Arrived at 12. Took dinner. Hired a carriage. Went to the Falls. Left the Falls at 5 p.m. for Detroit, crossed the suspension bridge.

5. Traveled all night, arrived at Detroit at 10 a.m. Crossed the river, procured a pass for Kirtland owing to the labors all falling [p. 22] on Brother Brown. Gone up the [-]. Parted with Brother Joseph Rich and his father. Left Detroit for Chicago at 1 p.m., traveled all night. Arrived at Chicago at 5 p.m. Left some of our passengers, Sister Sarah Ann Wolfenden, Francis Goddard and others. The conductor promised to forward them by express. Traveled all night. Arrived at Quincy at 2 p.m. Crossed our luggage on board the steamer "Blackhawk" for Hannibal, 15 miles. Arrived at Hannibal at 8 p.m. Changed luggage to the cars. Slept in the cars all night.

8. At 5 a.m. left Hannibal for St. Joseph. Passed the state's militia guarding the line. Traveled very fast. Arrived at St. Joseph at 6 p.m. Went to the town. At 10 p.m. our last passengers arrived from Chicago. [p. 23]

10. Spent the day at St. Joseph's. At 11 p.m. started up the Missouri River on board steamer "Omaha." Traveled all night.

11. Seen [-] with passengers. Some sickness. Bad feeling with some of the passengers on account of their acting unwise with the other passengers. Traveled all night. Strong guard.

12. On the river very warm. Traveled until 12 p.m. Landed at Omaha. Landed passengers then passed up the to Florence. Met Lewis Brunson, slept on the shores of the river.

13. Very windy. Engaged getting homes for the Saints. Spent some time with Lewis Brunson. Procured a house [p. 24] for William Bats, John Lindsey and Sister Wolfenden where with Brother Hodgets slept and made my home. By the suggestion of J.W. Young boarded at the Wilht house with others of the brethren.

14. Commenced labor in the church store where the emigration was furnished with flour, meat, sugar, tea, coffee, &c. Wrote a letter to my wife. Wrote one to England.

Sunday. June the 15/62. Went with L. Brunson to his company. Took a span of [-] and a courage. Had a rib. Spent a pleasant day.

16. In the store. Hot day. Up visited several sick persons. Went to Omaha for a load of goods for the emigration. [p. 25]

17. Tuesday. Went out to L. Brunson's company to take him out to start on the plains. Came back spent the day waiting on the people.

18. Wednesday. Wrote letters to Kirtland to P. Whilpley. Visited the Danish company. The weather warm. Some sickness.

19. Nothing of [-] in the store. People all busy baking and preparing for crossing the plains. At 11 p.m. steamer "West Wind" landed with 800 Danish on board under the presidency of Brother Van Cott.

20. The Danish hurry pitching tents and moving from the landing. The river rising very fast.

21. In the store waiting on the Danish Saints. Very warm. [p. 26]

Sunday June the 22/62. Went to the graveyard where many of the brethren and sisters lay who were buried when [-] from Nauvoo and compelled to travel beyond the bounds of [-]. Walked amidst the hills and groves during the day.

23. Waiting upon the people and wrote in my journal. Light winds. River overflowing its banks. Busy [-] out provisions to the prophet. . . . [p. 27]

Saturday October 25/62 . . . arrived in Great Salt Lake City at 5 p.m. . . . [p. 39]

BIB: McBride, Reuben A. Journal (Ms 8198), vol. 1, pp. 8-27, 39 (CHL)
(source abbreviations)