1885-11-04-Nevada

A Compilation of General Voyage Notes

BMR, Book #1042, pp. 547-558 (FHL #025,693); Customs #1372 (FHL #1,027,359)

… The pilot came on board Nov. 3rd and the following day (Nov. 4th) in the morning, the shores of Long Island were seen, and early in the afternoon the ship arrived at the quarantine station, where the emigrants were subjected to close examination by the doctors. The ship arrived in New York on Thursday, Nov. 5th, in the morning, at the Guion Dock where the luggage was examined by the customhouse officers. The emigrants were next taken to Castle Garden, where their goods were weighed, and later in the afternoon they were taken on a tender to Jersey City; the same night (Nov. 5th), they boarded the cars at Jersey City and traveled by rail via Philadelphia, …

Diary of Anthon H. Lund

Lund, Anthon H. Diary (Ms 5375), reel 1, bx. 1, fd. 2, vol. 4, pp 236-45.

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Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. We had a fine day and in the morning the wind was favorable but gradually [- -] us. In the evening all were on deck to see the pilot arrive on board. It was quite windy but the pilot sloop came up beautifully, dropped a boat which took the pilot over to us, and then the man in the boat rowed away from the steamer. How the waves tossed the little boat but it kept on rowing away from us. The pilot cutter meandered and made a turn and came back and picked up the man and boats. The pilot is a nice looking gentleman, in reality, does not look like a pilot; more like a Yankee businessman.

Wednesday morning the first I heard was Brother Christiansen [p. 239] say he could see a light. I jumped up to see the first sign of land and sure enough in the grey morning the shimmering lights came over the waters and we felt we were indeed in the neighborhood of the land Joseph. At 11 o'clock we stopped because there was not water enough to get over the bar. About 2 p.m. we started again and were soon at the quarantine where the doctor came on board. In the morning there was a case of measles among the English Saints. Our doctor is a young, hard, and unexperienced and I think has no more sense than the laws allows him. In fact, is a green Englishman. As soon as the quarantine doctor came on board he up and tells him we had a [-] case of sickness instead of letting the emigrants pass and then in case of the person having been singled out told them it was measles which it no doubt is. He told the doctor it might be small pox and the quarantine doctor did not dare to pass him but telegraphed for the head doctor who probably was up in town mixing a cocktail. At any rate, he didn't come on board and he [-] [p. 240] everyone of an expense of about five hundred dollars on account of the doctor's not knowing his business. We had quite an interesting time looking at the coming and going steamers and in the evening it was a beautiful sight to see the electric lights on the Brooklyn Bridge and the hundreds of lights along the coast. I had the "Herald" for today and read about Bishop Sharp being interviewed and defending his course. The captain handed it to me. He is always civil to me and so are all the officers. I [-] I hope we may continue our [-] towards the setting sun.

Thursday, Nov. 5th. We took breakfast aboard the ship and then landed at Guion [-]. Here we had our luggage examined by the customs house officer. I did not think corruption was so unblushing. The officer asked 25 dollars to let us pass easy as it would expedite matters and knowing there was very little luggage on board that was dutiable. We paid him the money and was pleased to get through without having to speir our boxes. Mine had got broke so I could not open it, hence it was a lucky thing for me. At Castle Garden where we were taken next, we had our goods weighed. Mine passed without overweight. Many had to pay. One poor sister was sitting crying. She could not pay her overweight. I paid it for her. Christiansen bought my provisions. I was on my feet all day and had no provisions to eat or time to eat it. At seven [p .241] we went on a tender to Jersey City and here we separated the Danish and the English. It took an hour and a half to sort the [-]. Brother [James] Hart came over and gave me instructions to take on passengers at Chicago and Omaha. [-] came down with John Wildermans daughter, Emma, who is going home with us. I believe they are engaged. He stood outside talking to her an hour. His sister came down to bid him goodbye and asked me if I remembered her. We had seven cars but one was [-] off and we did not overtake it till next day. At Pittsburgh a young man got on board without a ticket. Brother [James] Hart told him it was no use to try as he would not buy a ticket on the [ -] for [-] time the price he would have to pay in New York. The conductor put him off at Trenton. He ask him where he was from to which he answered Scotland. Well, says the conductor, I did not think a Scotsman would do so foolish a trick. We passed Philadelphia at eleven. We had started at 8 .

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Diary of Herbert L. James

James, Herbert Lister, 1853-, Diaries, 1883-1901, folder 2 vol. 4, pp.133-8.

… To go back to where I left off, we entered New York harbor about 1 or 2 P.M. on Wed. 4th night, but we were not permitted to land until Thurs. morning 5th, being detained in quarantined on ale of a case of measles or scarlet fever on board. We met Bro. Hart on the wharf, who sent Sister Wells, Melvin & my wife to the hotel (Grand Central) while we elders remained with the emigrants all day, helping them get their luggage weighed & etc. By weighing my luggage with 2 or 3 other men who had little or nothing I got through with 50 lbs. excess weight, cost me $2.30 to Council Bluffs.

Diary of Samuel R. Bennion

Bennion, Samuel R. Diary (Ms 8126), vol. 2, pp. 137-41.

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Wed. 4. As day dawned land came in sight. It was a welcome sight after being in the water for eleven days. Long Island on the right, Sandy Hook on left. Got in the river 12 a.m. The doctor came on board. There was a case of measils on board the ship. Doctor was on board. He was a quack. The other being rather inexperienced would not take the responsibility upon himself of deciding himself. Gave the ship doctor a reprimanding. We had to remain in the river all night. Some of the cabin passengers very much dissatisfied having to remain in the river.

Thurs. 5. We got into dock 10 a.m. We got ashore took some time to pass the customs officers. Although it was a mere form we tipped them $25.00. We crossed to the Castle Garden side. The Saints it took considerable time and labor to get the Saints over and luggage all weighed. The people getting their supplies for the journey seven cars prepared for us. We started homeward 8:25 p.m. Feeling glad to be on board the cars to start homewards.

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Letter from C. J. Arthur - November 12, 1885

Arthur, C. J. [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 47:49, (December 7, 1885), p. 778

We reached New York harbor at 2 p.m., on the 4th of November. The doctor and custom house officers came on board and went through the general routine of examination. A boy, about five years old, belonging to Jennette Byrom, was discovered to have the measles, which delayed our going into dock until the chief doctor came on board the following morning and released us from quarantine, permitting us to go into dock and sending the family to the hospital. We, however, were permitted to bring the mother's sister and one child with us to Salt Lake City, their destination, the other two children and the mother remained to follow in a few days. Having gone through the necessary examination at the custom house, we took boat for Castle Garden, where our luggage was weighed. The Saints got their supplies, and by 8 p.m. we were all nicely ensconced in our several cars, and, twenty minutes after, the train left the station, speeding on her way with her precious burden. Brother [James] Hart was at Guion's dock to meet us, and rendered us all the assistance in his power for our comfort.

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Letter from Herbert L. James - November 3, 1885

James, Herbert L., [Letter] Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star 47:47, (November 23, 1885), pp. 749-50.

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Wednesday, Nov. 4th, 9 p.m. - We are now anchored in the harbor and have been since about 2 p.m., detained in quarantine of a case of [p.749] measles discovered among the emigrants this morning.

New York, Friday Nov. 6th. - We were all permitted to land yesterday morning about nine o'clock, to our relief, for we were told we might be detained several days in quaratine. Brother [James] Hart met us on the wharf and agter passing the customs we proceeded to Castle Garden with the emigrants, where the baggage was all weighed with scrupulous care, not to defraud the Railroad Company. Some of the emigrants had a good deal more than was allowed for free and, in some cases, had to borrow from their friends to make up the amount charged for excess. The company got off in good shape about 8 p.m. The rest of us hope to leave at 7 o'clock this evening, going via Niagara Falls.

With kindest regards to yourself and all at "42," [THE LIVERPOOL MISSION ADDRESS WAS, 42 Islington] in which President Lund and his counselors desire to unite, I remain, in great haste,

Your brother in the gospel,

Herbert L. James.