"THE GOLCONDA. -- On the 30th January, 465 souls embarked on board the Golconda, Captain Kerr, for New Orleans. This is our first ship load of Saints this season, on their way to the mountains. May the winds and waves be propitious, that this company may be wafted safely and speedily to the port of disembarkation.
MS, 16:7 (Feb. 18, 1854), p.106
"DEPARTURES. . . . The Golconda. -- The number of passengers on board this vessel was 464, instead of 465 as stated in Star No. 7. The following elders sailed on board this vessel -- Dorr P. Curtis, president of the company, and Thomas Squires, both ex-presidents of conferences; William S. Phillips and John Davis, late of the presidency of the Church in Wales; and several ex-presidents of Welsh Conferences.
These brethren, after having labored diligently to advance the cause of truth in this land, are now on their way to the land of Zion, to assist in building up the kingdom of God there. We trust the righteous desires of their hearts may be granted in a safe and prosperous journey to the vales of Utah."
MS, 16:9 (May 4, 1854), p.141
"SEVENTY-FIRST COMPANY. -- Golconda, 454 souls. The first shipload of British Saints which left the shores of Europe for the Rocky Mountains in 1854, consisted of four hundred and sixty-four souls, who embarked on board the ship Golconda. Captain Kerr, on the thirtieth of January, 1854, and sailed from Liverpool on the fourth of February following. This company was under the direction of Elder Dorr P. Curtis, in connection with whom Thomas Squires and W. S. Phillips acted as counselors.
On the day of sailing the presiding brethren organized the Saints on board into what they termed the Golconda Emigrating Conference, which was divided into seven branches. During the voyage meetings were held five times a week, in which the Saints were richly blessed with the gifts of the Spirit, in tongues, interpretations, visions, revelations and prophecy. The winds were rather contrary for two of three days after leaving Liverpool, but after that they became more favorable and continued so during the greater part of the voyage. Two marriages were solemnized on board, and one death occurred. The company arrived safely in New Orleans on Saturday March 18, 1854, after a passage of forty-two days from Liverpool.
Leaving three sick persons in quarantine at New Orleans, the emigrants continued to journey up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Missouri, where they arrived March 31st. Ten deaths occurred between New Orleans and St. Louis
Elder William Empey obtained comfortable houses for the company to occupy until they proceeded on their journey to Kansas City. (Millennial Star, Vol. XVI: pp.106, 141
, 255, 281, 297, 447.)"
Cont., 13:11 (Sep. 1892), p.509
"February. Sat 4. [1854] -- The ship Golconda sailed from Liverpool, England, with 464 Saints, under the direction of Dorr P. Curtis; it arrived at New Orleans March 1
8th."
CC, p.50
(source abbreviations)