1883-04-23-Nevada
Diary of David McKay
McKay, David. Diary (Ms 1925), vol. 2, 6, pp. 99-116.
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Sunday 22nd. Slept well until four a.m. when the effects of the pills began to be felt. The morning was [p. 107] lovely. A few vessels in sight. Attended the Scandinavian meeting. Addressed the Saints on cleanliness of person and their duties to God and to each other. Brother Larson [O. C. Larson] interpreted. The day being very stormy, raining hard, the passengers had a wet time while passing quarantine. The Nevada moved into dock at 5 p.m. Brother [James] Hart came on board and made all necessary arrangements for the luggage and the passengers. [p. 108]
Monday 23rd. Arise early and called the elders together to raise some means to help our luggage through the hands of the customs officers hands. We raised about $40.00. �
Diary of Joseph Greaves
Greaves, Joseph. Diary (Ms 1746), vol. 10, fd. 5, pp. 54-118.
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S.S. Nevada, Sunday, Apr. 22. Awoke very early. Got up at daylight. Change underclothes and on deck by 6 a.m. Three sail in sight. Very cold morning. Go below at 7 a.m. A good attendance at prayers. I spoke a few moments counsel the people to change their clothes. Stay in steerage about an [p. 93] hour. Assist Elder [Thomas] Emmett in receiving letters, then received some money from the president for the stewards. At a few minutes past 8 a.m. went on deck and saw the land of America. Also several sails in sight. Slight pain in my head. After breakfast spent a few hours on deck. Cloudy, cold and slight rain. About noon at this time, in company with O. C. Larson, go to the steerage and present the steward, Thomas Evanson, a Norwegian, with �1.9.0 to be divided between himself and his three assistants. We then presented him with ten shillings [p. 94] for himself as a token of appreciation of his labors in doing all in his power for the comfort of our people. I then sat in the saloon showing some passengers the album of Salt Lake and learn from one of them that the fine steeple on the town hall of Rockdale had been burned down. This was one of the two finest in England. At 2 p.m. it set in to rain heavy and we soon got inside of the houses. The scenery was grand going up to New York. At 3:30 we stopped a short distance after passing between two ports. Here a couple of doctors came on board and the emigrants were all [p. 95] sent to the forward part of the ship. Then they had to pass these doctors and show a ticket of vaccination. There were some few that had not got tickets and it was amusing to see them have to strip in a hurry. One young man had not been vaccinated when the knife was out he was done in a hurry. They got through at 4:15 when we steamed up and started again at this time. The scenery was very varied. Ships lay at anchor, small steamer plying in all directions. Quite a few rowboats on the river also. At 4:30 we pass Castle Garden, [p. 96] get a good view of the long suspension bridge. We pass along close by the steamboat landing saw a place where there had been a very extensive fire. We got a very good view of the large iron steamboats and the vessel went into her berth at quay and fastened in the same place where I started from April 19, 1881. There was a game way put up and a few persons came on board and most of the passengers went onshore so as to say that they had landed. It was raining heavy all afternoon which marred the scenery considerable. The "S.S. ship Arizona" lay at [p. 97] the other side of the same shed and in the same place she was when I left in 1881. The church emigration agent came on board and was soon engaged with the president and secretary of the company. I had a little business to do for some of the Saints then retired to rest.
Monday, Apr. 23, S.S. Nevada Landing, 38 New York. Arose at daylight. Raining. President McKay called the elders together and gave us some instructions in regard to gathering up a subscription to give the custom officers to get them to work hard so that we may leave [p. 98] New York this evening. We started the subscription among ourselves. I gave all I had which was two dollars and six pence when the elder said I should be blessed. I then went into the steerage and got the presidents together and informed them of what was wanted. When they went to work and collected �2.15.3. which I gave to W. [William] H. King. Then got breakfast after which I stood at the bottom of the gang way to see that the Utah luggage was kept separate. This was one of the busiest scenes that I was ever engaged in. The boxes was [p. 99] knocked about at a fearful rate, quite a number of them got broke. The Scandinavians had the best trunks. This was a lively time, everyone looking out for his own luggage and the custom officers examining at the same time. We however got through at 11:15 and left by boat for Castle Garden, the rain and sleet coming in my face while sailing down the river. When we got in the Castle it was one solid mass of emigrants. We were packed as close as we could be, and the noise was something a person does not often hear. After being here about two hours we got in a large [p. 100] barge, which had the appearance of a warehouse, learning that we would not move until 4 p.m. I went ashore with Mr. Wilson and took a walk to the Brooklyn Suspension Bridge and returned back in about an hour and half when I [-] a Mr. Walters of Claycross and we had quite a chat. I then went on board the barge and sat there until 9 p.m. when we received the word to leave and on getting out found that we were across the river at Jersey Station, Lake Erie railroad. I did not feel the sailing of the boat across the river. At 11:30 we leave for the west and lay down to sleep. [p. 101]
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Letter from William H. King - April 23, 1883
King, William H. [Letter] Latter-day Saints Millennial Star 45:20 (May 14, 1883), pp. 319-320.
Elder William H. King, clerk of the company which sailed on the 11th ultimate, writing from New York, April 23rd, says:
"You are awaiting with interest, I have no doubt, an account from this city of our passage, arrival and subsequent movements necessary to our departure by train for the west unto this end I hasten to address you, regretting only that I have not found time to write a day sooner. Yet had I done so, I would not have been able to embody all, which you will desire to learn, in the communication. I have just gained shelter from the snow, rain and sleet which has been falling all day, and which unceasingly continues to fall, having been to the Erie Depot to see the elders and Saints upon the cars and started towards "home." Before proceeding further, I will revert to that point at which my last letter terminated. �
On Sunday evening, April 22nd, at 5 p.m., we entered the docks. The quarantine officers boarded the Nevada at 3 p.m., but soon finished their labor, finding no cases for detention. For the benefit of those who are coming in the succeeding companies I would say, if you have not been vaccinated, you had better be immediately, for you will either have to submit to it on shipboard, or pass into the 'kind' hands of the quarantine officers.
Early this morning (Monday) we landed, and did not fail having an introduction to the Custom House men (friends of America at the expense of the pockets of other nations). However, we passed through without much scathing, then went to Castle Garden. Unfortunately, 4000 or 5000 emigrants who had come in on Sunday morning, were [p.319] huddled together in the Garden (or buildings), and demanded the first consideration of the officials. It was with the utmost difficulty that we could keep from being separated, and losing much hand luggage. To add to our discomfort, 2000 or 3000 more emigrants came pouring in, and the rain continued pouring down. Not until 6 p.m. did we free ourselves from this modern inquisition. We all have occasion to remember our sojourn in Castle Garden. Leaving the New York side by an Erie barge, we were taken to the railroad Station, and all were soon aboard. Eight cars had been provided, giving ample room for all. By this time it was 9 p.m., and not until ten minutes past 11 did the train leave the station. After seeing them off, I returned to the New York side, and hastened to pen you these few lines. Before closing, I must mention the cast of Brother [William] Gittins, from Worcester. He slipped upon deck, when a few days out from Queenstown, and dislocated his shoulder. The doctor was at hand and set it and the injured man has nearly recovered.
The inestimable servicer of Brother Charles Lambert and Jospeh Greaves deserve mention and commendation. Brother [James] Hart, with great celerity, made every arrangement for the company, and started them away under propitious circumstances."
