New York, August 8, 1871.President Albert Carrington.

Dear Brother--After touching at Queenstown, and taking on some passengers and provisions, we put out to sea soon afternoon of Thursday, July 27. There was a fresh head breeze, and our vessel (the Nevada) heaved and pitched badly, and before night the passengers began to look serious. The next morning the steamer continued her hog's gallop sort of progress, until most of the passengers were seasick, some of them very sick, indeed. Toward the evening of Saturday (29th) the breeze slackened, the sea became smoother, the steamer rode more steadily, and the passengers began to think better of things and feel better. Sunday (30th) was still more pleasant, and signs of life, spirit, cheerfulness, and joviality became more manifest. Brothers Faust and Groo were among the sickest. Sister Faust, and brothers Argyle, Shumway, and Dewey, were the best men of our little company. Brother Lot Smith did not boast much of the soundness of his stomach. On Sunday morning prayers (church of England) were read by the purser in the cabin. In the afternoon we had a meeting among the Saints in the steerage. In the evening the steamer rolled heavily, and many of the passengers began to look and feel ill-suited again.

On Monday (31st) the rolling was bad, and "everybody" was almost as sick as ever, some a little bit disheartened, and by no means on friendly terms with old Neptune.

Tuesday (August 1) was a beautiful day, "everybody" getting better and up on deck, walking, talking, laughing, singing, and playing at different games. The evening was fine, but the night was foggy, and the vessel's steam whistle, or rather horn, was heard through the stillness of the dark hours, like some overgrown plaintive calf bleating for its mother.

Wednesday (2nd) was foggy a little in the morning, but the sea was still, and the steamer moved along almost as steadily as if one was in a house upon the solid land.

Thursday (3rd) appetites had pretty well reasserted their rights. The morning was somewhat foggy, but the sun ever and anon broke through to warm and cheer us. This morning, in the fog, we narrowly escaped running down the fishing schooner "Camilla." The steamer was put to starboard, the engines were stopped, and something like ten feet of space between the two vessels prevented a sad catastrophe, at which narrow escape we all shuddered, and felt thankful while we glided close by the schooner and left it safely behind. Today a little boy, playing or standing in the engine-room, fell down below and was considerably bruised. A testimony meeting was held in the steerage tonight.

Monday 7, we passed Sandy Hook about 6 a.m., at New York about 8. Got off to Castle Garden middle of [p.554] afternoon. Luggage examined by customs officers on shipboard.

The first few days at sea the weather was very cold, but afterward it was more pleasant.

With kind regards to all in the office, and wishing you health and success in your mission, I remain, your brother in the gospel,

J. Jacques. [p.555]

BIB: Jaques, J.[Letter] Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 33:35 (August 29, 1871) pp. 554-555. (CHL)
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