In 1882, he left Stainland and emigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
USA with his nephew Eli Edwards.
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DIARY
OF MY
VOYAGE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
March 31. Left North Dean exactly at 5 to 11 AM and reached Liverpool
at 20 past 4. Had a sight of town, very fine buildings but rather
dirty looking. Signs of poverty abound, there being many women
sleeping on the door steps and dragging on a miserable existence by
selling oranges lemons etc. – I feel grateful that those I have left
behind are not so badly provided for, may God bless them and soon
restore us again to each others happiness – Got lodging in Earle
St – Mrs. Jacksons – very good –
April 1st – All Fools Day – I wonder if we are acting foolish this
morning in harmony with the sayings of the day. I past a rather
sleepless night although very comfortable & clean, but the
reflections of the missing faces, and kind words disturbed my
slumbers that sleep was of the question – We were up early as we had
to be on the steamer at 8 o'clock. The task of getting your luggage
safely on board is not an easy one providing you do not care for
hireing assistance. We got our's on the "tug" all right, and at
¼ past 9 o'clock the "tug" dragged us up to the mouth of the
River where the "Scythia" was in waiting for us – it took us a good
while to get transferred on to the steamer, but this being
accomplished satisfactory after a little delay which made it look all
the longer, because a slight shower of rain began to descend soon
after we reached the "Scythia".
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We secured our berths together, two of the lower bunks, and were then
at liberty to look around us a little – About 2 O'clock we got our
first meal on board, potatoes & point (salt) which we rather looked
upon with disdain, but there was no cook's shops about here.
We weighed the anchor at ½ past 5 O'clock p.m. and began to
slide almost imperceptibly down the Mersey, the retiring spires,
buildings and hills gradually losing themselves to our sight, but we
kept the eye fixed on the Old Country as long as we could when
we settled ourselves down with the best wishes for our voyage and the
friends left behind – The Steamer Wisconsin left ½ a hour
before us and as she is bound for the same port, we begin to
speculate a little which will be the first in – she is not as large a
vessel as ours by a good length, but I am given to understand that
she has as much horse-power, so that she really ought to beat us on
this account – Having got our tea, & bread & butter which was not as
bad as one would have thought, we passed the remaining hours on deck,
viewing the celestial scenery, and terrestrial, enjoying ourselves
with promenading the deck & speculating as to our chances of doing
the same in another few hours, whilst others were engaged in dancing
to the
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strains of the melodian, very nicely played by a Young German
boy – We retired to our bunk soon after 10 'Clock to try the
experiment of sleeping again in a rocking cradle – The bunks are
divided as here
The berth's holds 16, 8 on each side, they are about 7 feet long, and
each square about 3 feet by 1 ft 6 inches wide, we secured number 5 &
6 and pulled the division wood out and put it against the next one
that we could be better covered, and both of us in this way had the
advantage of both blankets, two young Irishmen were the next to us,
but they did not sleep in above twice before they joined their
beddings to those in the higher bunks 1, 2, 3, 4, and so were not
afraid of getting ourselves into much bad company as regards smaller
animals
Apr 2 – Having past a tolerable good night we were up early in the
morning.
The Irish Sea on which we have slept as not disturbed us much, the
ship as kept moderately steady, and the consequence is that we have
enjoyed our rest better than anticipated.
After breakfast we pitch our tent on the deck to see what can be
seen, we sighted some island or land at 11 O'clock this forenoon and
the shores of Ireland came gradually into view soon after.
We reached Queenstown Bay, at
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half past one, the Bay is a nice one and the scenery delightful.
The sloping hills of Queenstown in the distance, covered here and
there with beautiful buildings, many of the houses being white washed
or something of the sort, is a sight lovely to behold especially at
Sea when land of any description is welcomed by the voyager – We
waited here for the mails until ½ past 4, when we set sail for
the West in good earnest not to stop again until New York was
reached – I was surprised at the quantity of letters shipped here,
there were I should think 2 or 3 if not more big waggon loads of bags
full of letters etc – The Wisconsin came sailing into the Bay an hour
after our arrival, and as she had nothing to detain her only the
embarking of a few passengers she left half an hour before us – We
sailed along the shores of Ireland until dusk it was ½ past 8
when we lost sight of land.
The wind for the last 6 hours has been blowing a gale, but it has not
done us any harm our proud ship seems almost to entertain it with
contempt.
The moon shone out beautifully about 9 O'clock, and soon after we
went to bed, trusting ourselves to
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Providence, to keep us in the hollow of His hand –
Apr 3 – This morning we got up at 7 O'clock.
The morning is a splendid one.
The Atlantic straight before us and nothing to be seen but the
expanse of waters – Truly the works Lord God are great and manifold
is thy power – I have not yet been sick, but feel a little dizziness
that is all – We have passed a very fair night having slept as well
as can be expected – We have been in sight of 2 steamers all the day.
They were a long way ahead of us, one is the Wisconsin, and the other
the British King which left Liverpool a few hours before us.
To night the moon shone out most beautifully, being at her full, we
promenaded the deck arm in arm in proper style, until ½ past
11 when we retired to our bunks – The view of the Atlantic by full
moon and a cloudless sky is something admirable.
The silvery sheet of waters, the starry skies and the breezy
atmosphere is a treat worth a little sacrifice to obtain – If you can
imagine yourself in the centre of a circle, with a distance of about
30 miles all around you, you will have some idea of it then –
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Apr 4.
This morning we are in a straight line with the Wisconsin.
The British King is apparently left behind as we cannot see anything
of her.
The morning is a beautiful one, almost cloudless, but there is a
brisk wind blowing which makes us stride about on deck to keep the
blood in circulation.
This morning the wind is a little to our advantage and we have spread
the sails, but this was not continued long the wind changing against
us as heretofore – Sea-gulls are flying about here, and some smaller
birds called Mother Carey's chicken.
They of course sleep on the waters and live on small fish – After
dinner the wind blew against us in proper style which made it rather
unpleasant for those of us who like to be on deck as there is very
shelter from it – We have got now fairly launched on the Atlantic
having made 600 miles from Queenstown – We had to retire to bed early
to night it was out of the question standing on deck, it is too
rough, so let us hope that our dreams will not be disturbed by the
angry sea – Our ship now does a bit of nice rocking, but I take it to
be only a return to memories of childhood days when the same
phenomenon lulled me to sleep –
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Apr 5.
The night has been a most stormy one, the waves have washed the deck
in proper style.
I got up at 1. O'clock to have a look what was going on above.
I found the sea rather heavy and the wind boisterous but I did not
feel little dismayed or nervous about it.
I think we shall be lucky if we get over the Atlantic with nothing
worse than this – We have past a very fair night as regards sleep
considering.
To day the wind has kept up its humour, and a little rain has fallen
in the forenoon but cleared off so that we could enjoy ourselves
better after dinner – The Wisconsin to day is visible behind us – We
take shelter on deck behind the engine house when the elements are
against us, and have found one or two nice corners where we can be
comfortable enough only other people are beginning to appreciate our
position so that we have to catch it now & then when we
can – - – - -- – - – - – - –
Apr 6.
The Wisconsin to day is not to be seen but a sailing vessel this
morning past us homeward bound.
This has been the roughest day we have yet experienced the wind as
been extremely strong so that we have been precluded from walking the
deck – The sea in consequence has been rather
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rough, but nothing compared to what I expected.
I have seen it apparently much worse at Blackpool many times – Our
vessel seems to take it all in good earnest, and plows her way
through it as though nothing particular was taking place -------
Apr 7.
Good Friday – This morning a north westerly wind was blowing the
consequence being that it was very cold, and snow to some little
extent fell – We have passed two sailing vessels homeward bound, it
has been a very uncomfortable day for us, the cold being too severe
to allow us to get much exercise upon deck, and the wind too strong –
Apr 8.
This morning the wind had fallen a good deal, but as it keeps in the
same direction it is very cold – During the night the wind blew very
hard but I now hope that it will keep on its good behaviour.
The day through out as been the best one since Monday the sun as
shone out without obstruction and as thus done us a kindness, all
though it as not been a warm day.
There has been a steamer in view to the north all day, supposed to be
the Wisconsin – After tea the wind almost entirely subsided, so that
we were able to promenade the deck to our heart's content – A great
many enjoyed themselves in dancing, gymnastic exercises and games one
of the latter being amusing – A young man begged a good twig of
tobacco and offered it as a prize and then marked on the deck the
Pages lost describing Easter on the high seas
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time for dinner we found it over so that we had to fall back again on
our own resources the good things provided by thoughtful hearts – We
got some tea scalded and we got as good a dinner nevertheless has
many of them enjoyed – We were surprised this morning to find that
the Wisconsin had stolen a march on us during the night, she was 7 or
8 miles ahead but we have gradually gained on her throughout the day
and at night was again leading the race.
We have seen other two boats during the day.
After tea it turned out wet, we wonder how it is at Stainland and how
you are enjoying the Easter Holidays –
Apr 11 – This morning has improved for the worse, snow having covered
the deck and the wind very cold – There is a remarkable difference in
the colour of the sea from yesterday, the water partakes more of the
colour of the Irish Sea, a greenish hue this denotes I suppose that
we are not far from land – After breakfast the day improved
considerably, the clouds passing away & the sun doing full justice to
his worthy name – Just after breakfast we discerned in the distance a
small boat which made its way straight to us, it turned out to be a
Pilot boat and upon reaching us, one of the men came on board the
Scythia and took control of the vessel, has I understand that no
steamer is allowed
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to enter the harbour without the assistance of one of these gentlemen.
The Pilot boat having landed one of its men then pursued its course
in search of other steamers requiring similar assistance, the
Wisconsin being behind us just in sight and nothing more they would
quickly fall in with her.
We have passed another steamer, supposed to be a German one and there
is another one which we can just discern on the horizon before us by
the puffing of its smoke – At 6 O'clock just turned we got a sight of
land, called Sandy Hook, we could soon afterwards distinctly see the
shore and the lighthouses erected at various places thereon.
This afternoon we did a bit of right good hard work, the boatswain
came to 4 or 5 of us and asked us if we had any objection to lending
a little assistance in getting out the mails, of course we had not, &
so he said that he would see that we were all right which we took to
be that we should get a tip of some sort or other for our
trouble – The bags are stored right down in the bottom of the ship
and a great many of them were a tidy weight to get up and carry away
on to the pile in the middle of the ship – We worked very hard for a
couple of hours and then were told that we could have a glass of grog
a piece & have the great privilege of getting
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our tea with the sailors – We were a little disappointed but 0we did
as ordered and got some very good meat, better than what was our lot
in the steerage compartment and I brought a nice bone to pick the day
after and put it in our box – Our vessel at night is just sliding
along, imperceptibly no steam being used now – We ought to sleep well
to night as it is so still & we shall have to be up early in the
morning – Good night –
Apr 12 – This morning on rising we found ourselves anchored in the
Bay, New York, and Brooklyn on the right hand, and on the left New
Jersey City, the morning was the most delightful we had seen, and the
surrounding view of the harbour and the cities above mentioned, with
the landscape on either side was a sight worthy the efforts of a
great painter.
To give a proper description of the harbour is beyond my power, in
fact any man who endeavoured to do anything like justice to it would
have to study the view more days than hours we have seen it – Its
appearance from the vessel and the shore is sublime to the highest
degree, it surpasses the power of the imagination to conceive or the
tongue to utter.
The beautiful hills in the distant horizon, and the crowds of
floating steamers and vessels of all descriptions together
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with the smaller craft, in the shape of ferry boats, tugs and what
not?
is a sight once seen never forgotten – We had to be up in the early
morning as the doctor was announced to be coming on board to examine
us – the examination if mostly a farce, I never went near him neither
obtained a pass from our own doctor on board as the others did, I
thought it would mostly be a show & I was not deceived a little bit
about it – This was over in a few minutes and at 7 O'clock we sailed
slowly down to the dock, which having reached it took a few hours to
get us off the vessel and our baggage as well – We then had to open
our boxes for the Custom Officer to pass, there was not many
questions asked, or trouble caused by this official, and after this
we had to see them got on the ferry boat at the other end of the
pier, for their departure to the (Winter that is I mean the Castle
Gardens) We got on other alongside of this and by & bye we sailed up
the river to our final destination.
So far as the sea journey is concerned, which was only the work of a
few minutes – We were then marched into the Castle, and got our money
changed
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and our names entered into some books or other kept for the purpose,
after which we were kept penned up like a flock of sheep until the
enquiries of friends had been finished, – we had got impatient a long
while before we were liberated but about 2 O'clock we were set free &
we felt young again as we proudly strolled out of the precincts of
the Castle to have a glimpse of the Town, or rather I should say
City – every town here as big as Halifax is called "The City" but of
course New York has earned a fair title to that name – The first
thing we did was to make enquiries at the Labor Office in connection
with the Castle, to get some information about work – we were
informed that there had been a man there in the forenoon enquiring
about some stonecutters, and that probably he would be there again in
the morning.
We thought this was very encouraging but nevertheless we thought it
would be as well if we took a stroll into The City & try at a few
yards if we could do so in the short time at our disposal.
We asked at 3 or 4 places but was informed that we were a month too
soon, as very little stone was to be obtained at
present – Subsequently we heard that there
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was a partial dispute in operation, the men having demanded an
advance, and in some places they were paying it and in others
not – We returned back to tea a little disappointed, but hoped that
in the coming day we might more effectually test the demand for our
class of labor – The Castle is a round building and well ventilated.
So much so that almost any number of sparrows may be seen flying to
their several nests which they occupy in the roofing, and sometimes
they drop their little bits of wax upon new bonnets or the dress of
people who happen to be in a perpendicular line with them – in my
case it happened to drop right on the page of my note book as I was
in the act of commiting these historical facts thereon for my present
task of translating them out of shorthand and into this wearisome and
cumbrous (Saxon Anglo) language –
I wish you would learn shorthand now as you perhaps have plenty of
time, in order to save all this trouble – We retired to bed in
moderate good time, making our bed on the floor, all the forms having
been occupied before we took steps to do so.
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Let us hope that our slumbers will be sweet – Good night –
Apr 13.
We had rather a hard bed, but considering this fact and almost
incessant scream of first one kid & then another, we did pretty fair
at our business – Having got breakfast we went to the Labor Office to
await the coming of the man who was in want of such like poor
creatures as us the day before – We waited an hour or two and has he
did not come and our time was wasting away we decided to try the City
on a more extensive scale than we did yesterday – We did no without
any better success – New York is a fine city the streets are of great
length.
Some of them (14 miles) and the buildings are very high and noble
looking – Street cars are arranged almost in every street, so that
for a few cents any one can ride from their own door to any of the
city, whilst over the streets in some places railways actually run
overhead the line being about level with the first storey
window – The immense number of telegraphic and telephonic wires also
is
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tremendous and these things alone speak volumes for the tact,
industry, and business of the city – We did not see above a fraction
of the city & therefore cannot say much more at present, perhaps
there may come a time when you will be able to see it for
yourself – Upon making enquiries when we got back to the Castle about
the man who wanted some Stone Cutters we were informed that he had
turned up and taken 15 hands with him to the State of Maine – We were
a little disappointed at this but hoped that we should fare none the
worse on the account – We decided to try the Castle for another night
as we had the use of both our blankets and strike out in the morning
across the river into New Jersey City and if unsuccessful there to go
forward to Newark a distance of 8 or 10 miles therefrom – Our
thoughts are often at home and we know you will by this be wondering
and looking for our arrival every moment, may we be guided in our
laborious task and you be comforted, and may these things all work
together for our good – Amen – Dear wife Good night and children and
all of you
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General Remarks
The colour of the Irish Sea is that of a decided green, whilst that
of the Atlantic is of a deep black until one half its distance is
gone over and then it gets lighter – on reaching the extremity it
blends itself again into the same colours as the Irish Sea and when
land is approached (America) it becomes more of a sandy dirty nature
& colour -- With respect to the "Scythia," she is a fine vessel,
built about 8 years ago, and consequently is not up to the mark as
regards speed at the present day, but is a trustworthy Ship which
counts for something – She is built with Iron, and her sides are all
covered with iron plating, her length is 420 feet, and she stands 14
ft 6 in above the water line.
It is surprising to think of the weight of iron employed in her
construction and how She can float & carry the burdens which is her
lot and yet stand 5 yards out of the water – There are 3 decks, the
second one being used by the sailor & cooks etc and the 3rd by the
steerage passengers – Of course the saloon passengers have more
comforts, they have rooms fitted up on
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the upper deck where they can enjoy their lunch as often as they
please and can also lounge away the hours on the velvet cushions, out
of the reach of wind or water as much as they like – Ely says that
next time he comes he will come saloon –
With respect to the passengers we have had on board many different
nationalities, Swedes, Norwegians, Italians, Germans, Dutch, Irish
and a few English.
It as been somewhat amusing to hear the different dialects and of
course as added much to the interest of the voyage – There have been
women and men, as old as your father & mother, and in some few cases
I believe older, and there has been all the variations to the child
at the breast – The diet of the ship as not been as bad as we
expected it, good bread as always been plentiful.
We have had to breakfast every morning bread & butter & coffee but
the butter was not as nice as our own and therefore we got very
little of it – the tea too tasted rather too "boiley" and we soon
fell on our resources in this respect.
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We had beef and potatoes to dinner every day except Wednesday when we
had a change on to fish which we could not eat – The meat & potatoes
would have been nice if they would have only taken the trouble to
cook them properly but they have not time to do so on our account
because the saloon passengers require so much attention – The plum
pudding on the Sunday would have been very excellent had it not been
that they were short of suet – You see, there are so many "ifs."
During our voyage we have not had it very rough, although the wind
has blown pretty hard and you would have been concerned about us if
it was has bad at Stainland, our vessel has not rocked up & down and
from side to side as much as I thought she would have done under the
circumstances.
I have seen it apparently a great deal rougher at Blackpool, and I do
not think a vessel like the Scythia need fear any danger on this
account – Our voyage has bee utterly destitute of excitement, not
having seen a single whale, porpoise, or even flying fish –
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Sea gulls & Mother Carey chickens are to be seen all the way across
but it has not been our fortune to anything exceptional – I am glad
to say that throughout the voyage I have not had one moments sickness.
I have enjoyed my meals splendidly and the good things in our box
improved our diet considerably – I have enjoyed the voyage and would
have done so much more it had been a little warmer, and you & the
children had been with me that is providing you would not have
required so very much nursing – We have made friends with several &
have promised to visit them if our lot is cast in that direction, we
have not had a single case of disease or death in the journey which
speaks well for the sanitary conditions of the vessel, and how on
looking back over it all, I do not think we could have done much
better by any other boat, So as a finishing touch to this epistle let
us drink (of cold water) to the success of the "Scythia" and all
those who embark on her in the future – B. Edwards
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The text here has been faithfully copied from the original diary,
which is written in ink on 4½" x 7" lined notebook pages
[February 2011]
March 31. Left North Dean exactly at 5 to 11 AM and reached Liverpool
at 20 past 4. Had a sight of town, very fine buildings but rather
dirty looking. Signs of poverty abound, there being many women
sleeping on the door steps and dragging on a miserable existence by
selling oranges lemons etc. – I feel grateful that those I have left
behind are not so badly provided for, may God bless them and soon
restore us again to each others happiness – Got lodging in Earle
St – Mrs. Jacksons – very good –
April 1st – All Fools Day – I wonder if we are acting foolish this
morning in harmony with the sayings of the day. I past a rather
sleepless night although very comfortable & clean, but the
reflections of the missing faces, and kind words disturbed my
slumbers that sleep was of the question – We were up early as we had
to be on the steamer at 8 o'clock. The task of getting your luggage
safely on board is not an easy one providing you do not care for
hireing assistance. We got our's on the "tug" all right, and at
¼ past 9 o'clock the "tug" dragged us up to the mouth of the
River where the "Scythia" was in waiting for us – it took us a good
while to get transferred on to the steamer, but this being
accomplished satisfactory after a little delay which made it look all
the longer, because a slight shower of rain began to descend soon
after we reached the "Scythia".
The berth's holds 16, 8 on each side, they are about 7 feet long, and
each square about 3 feet by 1 ft 6 inches wide, we secured number 5 &
6 and pulled the division wood out and put it against the next one
that we could be better covered, and both of us in this way had the
advantage of both blankets, two young Irishmen were the next to us,
but they did not sleep in above twice before they joined their
beddings to those in the higher bunks 1, 2, 3, 4, and so were not
afraid of getting ourselves into much bad company as regards smaller
animals
Apr 2 – Having past a tolerable good night we were up early in the
morning.
The Irish Sea on which we have slept as not disturbed us much, the
ship as kept moderately steady, and the consequence is that we have
enjoyed our rest better than anticipated.
After breakfast we pitch our tent on the deck to see what can be
seen, we sighted some island or land at 11 O'clock this forenoon and
the shores of Ireland came gradually into view soon after.
We reached Queenstown Bay, at
