S.S. Manhattan, New York, July 26, 1870President Horace S. Eldredge.

Dear Brother--We arrived here safely this morning, all well, and although our trip has been rather rough, still we feel thankful to our Heavenly Father for his protecting care over us thus far on our journey. In my last, written off Queenstown, I gave you an idea of the general health of the company, &c., and felt buoyant at the prospect of there being but little seasickness, the weather being so calm. But scarcely had we left Queenstown before the wind arose, the sea rolled, and everybody got the whirligigs, and over the side of the ship went breakfast, dinner and pretty nearly themselves, for they felt, after they had got through, that there was very little left except the hide. The brethren in the cabin were no better, for they could not contain the many good things they had taken in, and they had to share with the fishes; only three out of the seventeen returning missionaries could face the music at the table at dinner that day, namely, Brother Thomas Rodgers, father Tuddenham and myself--all the others were in their berths. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was very weak.

This state of things continued for several days, as the wind kept to our head and blew pretty strong most of the time. But after a while, seasickness subsided, and all went merry as a marriage bell, until the day before landing, when, in consequence of a very rough sea, the Saints had again to empty their trunks (stomachs), preparatory to a New York dinner.

We had but two deaths on board, and those of infants, who were sickly before leaving Liverpool. We also had two births, making our number, on arrival at New York, the same as when we started on our journey.

The captain, officers and crew showed us every kindness, and the chief deck steward, Mr. Parsonage, was untiring in his attention to the sick, for which they received an expression of our thanks in a testimonial. Good order was maintained throughout the entire journey, and I never heard anything from Saint or sinner that caused the least offence, everything went along charmingly, and we are [p.524] here to thank the giver of all good for his many blessings to us.

Hoping that this will find you and all in the office well, and that the remainder of the emigration this year will be prospered as we have been, with kind regards I remain your brother in the gospel,

G.H. Knowlden, Secretary. [p.525]

BIB: Knowlden, G. H. [Letter] Latter Day Saints Millennial Star 32:33 (August 16, 1870) pp.524-25. (CHL)
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