Emigrants from Scandinavia organized in Liverpool,

President George Teasdale October 15, 1889.

The emigrants per S. S. Wyoming to be in charge of Brother A. L. Skanchy with Elders O. Olsen and C. C. A. Christensen as his counselors. After having partaken of the sacrament together with the elders that were present on that occasion in the Liverpool office, the above mentioned brethren were set apart by President [George] Teasdale and blessed by him. An excellent spirit prevailed in the meeting.

The company consisted of 155 souls, of these are 116 from Scandinavia, 21 from the British Mission, and 6 from Amsterdam, Holland, 12 returning missionaries are also with [us]. [p. 1]

On the night (about 11 p.m.) of October 17th, we left Copenhagen per S. S. "Cameo." The weather was very fine and we arrived in Hull on Sunday morning the 20th. In the afternoon we entered the dock and were soon joined by a company of Norwegian Saints all feeling first rate. We remained on board till the next morning; passed the customs officers, and then proceeded by railway to Liverpool where we arrived in the afternoon and were taken to the Hotel Smea [UNCLEAR]. There we remained till Friday afternoon the 25th where we went on board the S. S. Wyoming.

In the morning of the 26th we were visited by President Teasdale and other brethren from the Liverpool office and had a hearty handshaking and "farewell" with them. We left the dock at about 11 a.m. and were [p. 2] soon after left to ourselves by the tug that had pulled us out. Elder C. K. [Charles Keilgaard] Hansen from Fairview is very bad with liver complaint. The rest of us are well.

Queenstown, the 27th. We are here all well except Elder C. K. [Charles Keilgaard] Hansen. Still he feels a little better having had a good nights rest. The weather is very beautiful. It is Sunday and we are going to have meeting with the Saints. In the forenoon the Scandinavian Saints, and afternoon the English Saints, had meeting. Wind increased, and many began to feel unwell. Ship rolling pretty much, but the weather fine.

28th. Many seasick during the night, but weather beautiful. Most of the people getting on deck. The wind increasing in the afternoon and seasickness also increasing. [p. 3]

29th. The weather still fine, but the ship rolling from the underseas. Passengers, most of them are on deck though many are unwell and not able to partake of the meals. The Norwegian singers have been treating us on deck to some nice songs, and some of the other passengers seemed much pleased and sang some of their tunes in good style. Sister Helene Lofstrirn [Helma Lofstrom] from Copenhagen is the most affected by seasickness and is very weak. About noon we were along with a large steamer said to run between Liverpool and Philadelphia, and we will likely have passed it out of sight before night.

30th. The sea was rough and many were sick. It was almost impossible to be on deck, yet we have no rain. The wind is not favorable, and progress slow. [p. 4]

31st. During the night the wind has calmed down some, but the sea is still pretty rough. Last night I had a very interesting conversation with a gentleman passenger, Dr. Easton from New York, on the principles of the gospel. He seemed desirous to know our doctrines and church organization and I have given him some tracts.

November 1st. The weather fine but the sea yet some heavy, but towards evening more quiet. The Saints and other emigrants coming on deck and seem to get much better. We the elders administered to some of those who were the most sick. After I had retired Dr. Easton, our new friend, came into my room and read to me a few lines which he had written [p. 5] to his wife concerning us Mormons, and he seemed to take the same delight in giving the same views to the officers and others about us. He stated in his letter that he on this voyage had fell in with a company of the Mormon emigrants and had an acquaintance with four of the returning missionaries, to viz. [S. T.] Whitaker, [S. A.] Blair, [A. L.] Skanchy and myself, and that he "had found us to be God fearing, upright, good common sense men and that our doctrines and practices were more in accordance with the early Christians than any other sect or party that he had yet met with." He seemed much pleased to give me this item about the Latter-day Saints and [p. 6] their religion and I said to him, "Doctor, I will say like Paul once said, 'I wish that you were all that we are' except being as poor", for I understand that he is very wealthy.

November 2nd. The weather fine and the emigrants are improving.

November 3rd. Sunday. Weather most beautiful and Saints enjoying the deck all day. In the forenoon "divine service" was held in the saloon. After the manner of the Church of England the purser officiating, it was rather a dry concern to us elders. In the afternoon a meeting was held on deck with the Saints and quite a number of the other passengers attended. Elders S.T. Whitaker spoke upon the first principles of the gospel very briefly [p. 7] in English and Elder T. O. [O. T.] Nielson and C. C. A. Christensen in the Scandinavian language. The congregation was very attentive and a good spirit prevailed.

November 4th. A light rain in the morning, but after breakfast the sun came out and the weather became most lovely. The Saints seemed to feel first rate.

Nov. 5th. Early this morning the pilot came on board and we found the weather again very beautiful. The Saints were therefore on deck most of the day. We reached New York Harbor about 11:30 p.m.

Nov. 6th. Very early this morning all were astir expecting to pass examination for the quarantine doctors, but owing to another company [p. 8] Italians being inspected before us it was nearly 8 o'clock when the Saints were allowed to go down and get their breakfast. This morning had been very cold and many of the women and children were pretty uncomfortable on account of it. After breakfast the ship proceeded farther up the harbor and entered the dock. Our luggage passed the customs house officers without any great consequence, but we found several boxes smashed or partly broken in handling them, but this was due to their bad make than to careless handling. We next passed the emigrant commissioners without the least trouble and then [p. 9] came on board the beautiful steamship "Wyanoke" in which the elders received cabin accommodations but the emigrants were under deck and very crowded. Still, their patience made everything go smoothly, though we had some Italian emigrants that received to be hard set.

Nov. 7th. Still the most lovely weather continues. The Saints and the elders all feel first rate and we are all under great obligation to our Heavenly Father for his kindness towards us. This is written on board the steamer while we are underway to Norfolk, Virginia, where we expect to arrive at 5 p.m. [p. 10] and then at 6 p.m. we expect to proceed westward by train. As this is likely the last chance that I have to write in this journal I shall here sign my name as clerk of the voyage. C. C. A. Christiansen.

Memphis, the 9th. We have been very kindly and courteously treated by all the railroad officials on our way from Norfolk to this place. The Saints feel first rate and are thankful to our Heavenly Father for his blessings. The weather is fine, but we have had some rain yesterday.

Kansas City, the 10th. Arrived here at 10 a.m. all well and we have had splendid accommodations all the way. [p. 11]

Nov. 11th. We are this morning in a blizzard and are unable to proceed at present. The conductor has gone back to try to reach communication by telegraph as we have some trains ahead of us and also one behind, and in consequence dare not make a move till we can see the road ahead of us which we cannot now.

Nov. 12th , 2 p.m., Black Canyon Hotel. We have now arrived here all well. We stayed in a cut, snowed in about 11 hours. Some brethren went with our leader Brother Skanchy to the nearest station about four miles off and obtained help, and we were brought out by a strong engine after the brethren had been working for several hours in digging through the snow which [p. 12] had drifted in about six or eight feet deep. Our railroad officials were without provisions and we divided ours with them and a general good feeling prevailed among all. We came to Pueblo about 1 a.m. on this day and were provided with 50 loaves by the railroad company as a return for our hospitality yesterday. But it would have been 150 loaves if the bakers had had them. At about 3:30 we left Pueblo in five fine coaches and all felt happy. The weather was most beautiful and the scenery along the line grand.

Wednesday 13th. By sunrise the Saints was in full [-] in washing and fixing their selves up for the glorious hour was come that they [p. 13] could shake hands with friends and relatives in Zion, and at 12 o'clock we [-] into Provo where we partook of the Saints stopped off and was met by their friends and at 3 o'clock we arrived at Salt Lake City and all feeling well and thankful to the Lord for his mercy and preserving care over us on this long journey and his name be honored therefore.

A. L. Skanchy [p. 14]

BIB: A. L. Skanchy Emigrating Company. Journal. pp. 1-14 (CHL).
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