About 8:45 p.m. engine stopped and we felt a sudden shock, we were about having our evening prayers. Before we could do so we rushed on deck thinking we had struck a vessel, when lo and behold we had struck an immense iceberg. We were going at the rate of 16 knots an hour.

The force was so great as to completely stove in our bulkhead or bow, leaving about 200 tons of ice on the forecastle bulkhead. Broke both anchors, one chain was tested to hold 12 tons. Shocking site to behold. A very large hole in her, just above the water edge. Four thousand gallons of water in the bulkhead. Two or three sailors buried in ice in the forecastle, some time before they could get out. One hurt very badly.

It was a clear night, the iceberg looked similar to a bluish-white cloud looming up about 50 feet. An awful, grand sight.

The boats were ordered to be loosed from the davids ready if needed. Considerable excitement on board. A Presbyterian minister with satchel in hand was ready to look to No. 1. Some of the women were terribly excited.

We were from 240 to 250 miles from St. John's, Newfoundland. Steaming eight or nine knots an hour, notwithstanding her situation.

The Arizona steamship of the Guion Line, is built in seven compartments. All luggage was removed aft to lighten her. I called the boys together during the excitement and prayed the Lord to enable us to avert calamity, that it might be no worse. We exercised our priesthood, prayed for a calm and that we might live, also all on board get to our destination, also the vessel.

Went below to our cabins, prayed frequently according to the order of the priesthood, for a calm sea and no wind, as this is apparently our salvation temporarily.

During the night we went on deck and while alone, rebuked the winds and waves. We have a calm sea. Prayers answered. Also prayed for a vessel to come to our rescue, if necessary, and wisdom to be given to the captain, and prince of power and air to have no control, at this time. Committed ourselves to God.

In talking to some of the passengers, I promised no lives should be lost or ship either, in the name of the Lord.

St. Johns, Newfoundland, Sunday, November 9, 1879.

Having remained in sight of harbor all night, arrived about [p.83] 11:00 p.m. This morning at 8:00 o'clock, pilot came aboard and took us into port. Very rocky coast, only one entrance to bay and that very narrow. Rocks on either side. Inside a nice, comfortable harbor completely land locked. Must have been over 150 vessels of all sizes at anchor. People flocked down to the wharf by thousands.

Several boats filled with small boys, saw more boys than since I left home, all healthy and strong. I suppose them to belong to fishing smacks or schooners. The population appears to contain a great many Irish people, contains about 49,000 of the Island's 96,000. The streets are very crooked, in steps as it were, along the hillside.

The damage done vessel was greater than I anticipated. The break extended below the water mark, the whole length of the keel.

Monday, November 10, 1879.

I took a walk into the country for about three or four miles. Beautiful scenery, farm houses, meadows, and timber. Beautiful lake and beautiful harbor. In the evening writing home, also sending a few newspapers.

November 11th. Writing on back of 25 cards, Articles of Faith, "Any person desirous of further information relative to these principles, until Thursday, November 13, 1879, address Elder Henry A. Dixon, St. Johns. After that date, to William Budge, esquire, 42 Islington Street, Liverpool, England.Comments on the above incident by Maria D. Taylor:

While on a visit to Price, Utah in September 1930, my son Elton was telling me he spoke of this incident in fast meeting and a gentleman arose and said, "In the mouth of two witnesses all things shall be established."

This Brother Potter stated that he came home on that same vessel sometimes later. He talked to the captain and also the crew and they all said it was nothing short of a miracle.

He said he saw the vessel while in the docks for repairs and there was a hole in it as large as a good sized room.

He was told that at the time of the accident, word was taken to the owner of the ship, Mr. Guion, who asked if any Mormons were aboard. They told him there were four. He went back to bed and said he knew the vessel would land safe, for forty years they had been carrying Mormons, no ship was lost. It paid them better than insurance. . . . [p.84]

BIB: Taylor, Clarence D. My Folks the Dixons. [Journal excerpt of Henry A. Dixon with additional comment by Maria D. Taylor] pp. 83-84. (CHL)
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