S. S. Nevada, Sunday July 2, 1882President A. [Albert] Carrington.

Dear Brother,--As our voyage is drawing to a close, we think it well to inform you of our experience since leaving Liverpool. Soon after bidding yourself and others goodbye, all the returning elders assembled in the saloon of the steamer, and effected an organization as follows: R. R. Irvine, president; Stephen Tucker, chaplain, and D. Spilsbury, secretary.

The company of Saints was divided into four wards, with a president over each; who received instructions to hold morning and evening prayer in their respective wards. To complete the organization, three captains of the guard were appointed, with instructions relative to their duties.

Nearly all the distance we had a strong breeze against us, part of the [p.460] time almost amounting to a gale, causing the sea to run high, and for the first few days, considerable sea-sickness was the result. The past three days, including the present, have been fine, and all have recovered and appeared on deck.

With sorrow we inform you of one death; a three year old son of Sister Hannah Rasmussen. He died Friday evening, and his body was committed to the deep on the following morning. We are also sorry to inform you that Brother R. [Robert] T. Patten [Paton] was injured by falling on deck, which we hope will not result in anything of a serious nature. A well attended service was held on Sunday afternoon and a good spirit prevailed. It was afterwards deemed wisdom to hold testimony meetings every evening, which were much appreciated and well attended.

On the 28th instant about 8 p.m., all on board were delighted to behold, about four miles distant, a huge iceberg, measuring, the captain said, 200 feet in height, and between 300 and 400 feet in length. The captain, officers, and men have been uniformly courteous, and much credit is due to them.

New York, 7:30 p.m.

Have just arrived in dock. Brother [James H.] Hart has come on board and informs us that he has made arrangements for the company to leave here tomorrow evening. We will remain on board tonight and go to Castle Garden in the morning.

Praying God to bless you and fellow laborers, we remain your brethren in the gospel,

R. R. Irvine, president,D. Spilsbury, secretary. [p.461]

BIB: Irvine, R. R., and Spilsbury, D. [Letter] Latter-day Saints Millennial Star. 44:29 (July 17, 1882) pp. 460-61. (CHL)
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