Elder George Goddard, writing from New York, Tuesday, Nov. 11, sends us the following account of the voyage of the last company of emigrants:

"We left Queenstown on Sunday, Nov. 2nd, at 11 a.m., after staying there one hour and twenty minutes, and although at the call of the dinner bell at 1 p.m., the elder's chairs were all occupied at the table, as also those of Sister Hopwood and daughter, yet many of the Saints were too qualmish to care about dinner, and as the swell of the ocean increased, all that could be shaken seemed to be put to the test. The wind continued to increase until at almost every bend of the vessel the decks would be submerged in water, which rendered it for the most part unsafe for any of the elders to get to the Saints in the stern of the vessel. From Sunday to Tuesday evening the siege of seasickness was heavy and almost universal; neither age nor sex failed to participate in it. The bright dawn of Wednesday, however, seemed to infuse new life into almost every one, and the deck was literally alive with passengers whose countenances beamed with joy to find that seasickness had so far abated as to enable them to be on deck and inflate their lungs with pure fresh air. Many of the songs of Zion were sung on that morning, and many hearts filled with gratitude to God for His preserving care during the trying spell of their prostration. Again the wind increased and the sea was boisterous, which prevented the Saints from obtaining pure air on the decks, except during short intervals, between Sunday morning, Nov. 9, when the deck was again crowded with passengers. At 10:30 the service of the Church of England was conducted by Captain Brooks, and at 6:30 p.m. we held a meeting with the Saints in their quarters, some of the intermediate passengers being present also. Most of the elders delivered addresses, bearing testimony to the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and encouraging the Saints to live lives of righteousness, in order to secure the blessing of the Lord on their way to Zion and after their arrival. In the evening we also united with them in prayers and praise.

Monday, the 10th, we arose early and found the deck alive with passengers, out to drink in the balmy air of the most beautiful morning since we started. A clear blue sky was over our head, with its pale moon and twinkling stars, and around us a sea as smooth as a carpet, while along the eastern horizon stretched a line of low black clouds, which nearly all the passengers mistook for land. About 7 a.m. steam was turned off to take in our pilot, which infused new life and expectancy among the anxious passengers. Next came the rising of the king of day, whose glorious face gleamed above the horizon to give warmth and vigor to all on board, which every one appreciated.

We have been treated with respect and gentlemanly bearing by officers, crew and [p.747] passengers. Take it all in all, it has been a rough passage. All have been sick, more or less. Those who have suffered most are gradually recovering. A good feeling has prevailed among the Saints, and a disposition to care for each other. Between 12 and 1 p.m. we were amused with seeing the playful games of tens of thousands of porpoises jumping in and out of the water, either for their own or our gratification, we could scarcely decide which. I am now at 5 p.m. writing from Brother Hart's office, 5 Battery Place, New York. We all arrived safe at the Guion Line Pier at 1:45 p.m. today and were pleased to see Brother Hart there to greet us. All the company are in good health and spirits, except Sister Hunter, and she is improving. No births or deaths occurred, and we expect to leave here tomorrow evening per rail for home. We have passed the ordeals of excise regulations, and the Saints are now at Castle Garden, feeling grateful to God our Heavenly Father for preserving our lives during this boisterous voyage." [p.478]

BIB: Goddard, George, [Letter], Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 46:47 (November 24, 1884) pp. 747-48. (CHL)
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