Queenstown, May 21, 1887President George Teasdale:

Dear Brother,--At 6 p.m. we steamed down the Mersey. Before leaving smooth water we divided our people into wards and named them alphabetically and selected from the passengers some capable brethren and set them apart as teachers to assist us in looking to the welfare of the Saints. We had scarcely completed this arrangement when the vessel began to lurch about, causing a sickly expression to cover the faces of most of the passengers, and in a short time the majority of them were sick or looking squeamish.

Saturday night, 9:30. A strong wind blowing from the northwest, the vessel's course lays within two points of the wind, and, as she cleaves her way through the turbulent waters, the waves dash themselves against her bow, and leap up with a hissing sound and spend their fury in the faces of the few people who have the hardihood to remain on deck. The sky is black and angry looking to the northeast, but sunset gave us a promise of better weather tomorrow.

Sunday, 6 a.m. A clear sky, the sun shining, the vessel's course is now about west, which allows some canvas to be spread forward and helps to keep the vessel steady; the wind has settled down to a steady breeze; a few passengers are on deck enjoying the lovely weather.

8 a.m. All passengers are ordered on deck to give up their tickets [p.347] rather a difficult order for most of them to comply with, but with a little patience the tickets are all collected and the effort to get about has created a more cheerful disposition among the people. All well and a lovely morning. We passed Tusker Lighthouse about 7 a.m.

After breakfast the most of the Saints assembled on deck; the Swiss and German are gathered in groups singing the songs of Zion - the trip across the North Sea has helped them to recover from sickness sooner than others of the Saints. The officers are very kind, and a general good feeling seems to pervade the whole of the people.

Noon. The weather is cold and wintry but fine overhead. We expect to be in Queenstown by 3 p.m. Sea tolerably smooth, and vessel steady; the wind has quieted down.

The brethren all unite with me in kind regards to you and all at the office and praying for your welfare.

I remain your brother in the gospel of the kingdom.

Edward Davis.P.S. Queenstown--We are all feeling splendid, all moving harmoniously and full of hopeful anticipations of a pleasant passage.

E. [Edward] D. [Davis] [p.348]

BIB: Davis, Edward The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 49:22 (May 30, 1887) pp. 347- 48. (CHL)
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