We have received the following from President N. [Nathaniel] M. Hodges and his counselors, Elders W. [William] D. Williams and G. [Gottlieb] Hirschi. They write from New York, May 27, 1885:

"Our company arrived here at eight o'clock this morning, after what is generally considered a pleasant voyage.

The second day out from Queenstown the weather commenced to be rough, and so continued for two or three days, causing the ship to roll considerably and the passengers to suffer much seasickness. After this the weather became more pleasant, until we approached the banks of Newfoundland, when we experienced a very cold north-west wind, which we found to be the precursor of icebergs.

Soon after breakfast, on the morning of the 23rd instant, the attention of all on board was attracted by a large iceberg lying a few miles distant, and a little to the right of the direction in which the ship was sailing. After speeding on our way for about an hour we arrived within about three quarters of a mile of it. This, what may be appropriately termed, icicle of the north was estimated to be about 70 feet high above the surface of the water and 200 feet long; and some idea of its magnitude may be formed when it is known that only one-sixth of the whole was visible to us. During the day we passed thirty or forty other icebergs, ranging in size from bodies measuring only a few feet above the surface, to huge bodies even larger than the one above described. Captain [p.380] Bentley said that he never had witnessed so grand and magnificent a scene on the water before. He had seen icebergs quite as large or larger, but not when the atmosphere was so clear as on this occasion. Their snow white peaks glistened in the sunshine, reminding us of the snow covered peaks of the mountains of our beloved Deseret, and the clearness of the atmosphere also very much resembled that of our 'dear mountain home,' for there was not a cloud to be seen above the horizon to darken the sky.

While sailing among those islands of ice, the weather was extremely cold, and the passengers were glad to find shelter behind anything that would protect them from the keen and penetrating wind.

The next day, Sunday, everything was as calm as a summer's morning; the ocean appeared like a sea of glass and all the elements seemed to bear witness that this was indeed a day of rest. The Saints soon partook of the spirit of the surrounding scene and sang the joyful songs of Zion and praises unto the God and Deliverer of Israel; their melodious voices made the air vibrate, and a heavenly inspiring thrill was felt by every soul.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the Swiss and German Saints held a meeting in the steerage, which was followed by a meeting of the British Saints, commencing at 3:30 p.m. Several of the elders delivered brief, but very spirited and interesting speeches, in which they exhorted the Saints to live their religion and remember continually the object they had in view in gathering to Utah, and cautioned them not to yield to the temptation they would meet with there.

The health of the Saints generally has been very good with the exception of Brother [Joseph] Spendlove, who was very sick for about a week after we started, and Sister May's one-year old child, [John May] who has suffered very severely from a swelling in the throat, and has been in a very low condition from what appeared to be some kind of a fever. He is now much better, and we entertain strong hope of his recovery.

We have had a complete organization from the commencement of our journey, whereby our prayer and other meetings have been attended to as far as it was practicable amidst such commotion, and have also maintained a night watch, whereby the Saints and their interests have been protected.

We learned from the purser that the luggage of the cabin passengers had to be separated from the other luggage, and, according to his request, two of our elders were appointed to assist the sailors to find that which belonged to our company. This involved part of two days hard labor. If the words 'Cabin Passenger' were painted on the elders' and other cabin passengers' boxes, it would undoubtedly prevent all this laborious work.

Owing to two ships, containing a large number of emigrants, having arrived here just prior to ours, we will be detained here till tomorrow afternoon.

President Hart came on board soon after our arrival and met us with a cordial greeting, and has, ever since, been laboring very energetically in the interest of the company.

After a hard days' work, we have our people located in one part of Castle Gardens, as comfortably as circumstances will permit." [p.381]

BIB: Hodges, Nathaniel M., et. al., [Letter] Latter-day Saints'
Millennial Star 47:24, (June 15, 1885) pp. 380-81. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)