Two Contrasting Journeys
Crossing the Atlantic on
The Sailing Ship Hartley
The Hartley was built with two decks but no galleries. The first passage began on 5 March 1849 from Liverpool. Aboard were 220 Welsh, English, and Scottish Saints led by Elder William Hulme. He said, “ the voyage was more like a pleasure excursion than a long journey, as the weather was very pleasant, and the sea and wind gentle during the entire voyage.” During the fifty four days at sea one death and one birth occurred. Four sailors were later baptized by Elder Hulme at New Orleans where the Saints landed on 28 April.
Enduring the Mississippi River on The SS Mameluke
The steamer Mameluke left New Orleans on the 29th of April for St. Louis. On the voyage cholera broke out among the passengers and raged fearfully, about sixty died; but in the words of passenger John Shields, through the blessing of God, himself and family were preserved. The passengers remained at St. Louis for four days before embarking again, this time on the steamer Lightford for Council Bluffs. The cholera still followed them and eight or ten more died. In consequence of the force of the current on the river the boat could not go farther than Savannah landing, where they were very unceremoniously put ashore to fend for themselves. The Mameluke herself was destroyed by a fire that spread to her when the burning steamboat Edward Bates drifted, colliding with her while she was moored on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.