William Furlsbury Carter Mission to India Part 10

Passenger list for the John Gilpin showing William as one of two passengers

William began his long trip home on Saturday,  9 July 1853.  He had been staying on the John Gilpin since the previous Monday.  Being a sailing ship, the John Gilpin had to have the assistance of a steam ship to pull it out of port and down the river until they could get to open water where it would be able to sail under its own power.  Since Calcutta was inland on the Hooghly River they must have required help for quite a way until the river estuary was wide enough for them to go on alone.  By that night they made Diamond Harbor about 50 miles down the river.

The following day they sailed on to “ComColley” which we haven’t been able to identify.  His health was very poor as he reported “…I felt quite sick, had now appetite. my tongue was coted all over on a count of the fevour that I had on me. there was nothing that tasted natural to me.”

On Monday, July 11 they continued to be pulled by the steamer until 3 PM and then sailed on under their own power but were stopped at the “sand heads,” which were probably sand bars of silt deposited by the river where it meets the ocean.  The problem here was that the pilot that was guiding them was unable to leave the ship due to rough seas.  On the following day after still not being able to get the pilot and his assistant to their Brig, the John Gilpin took to the sea.

Within a couple of days they were in heavy seas and the ship began leaking.  On Tuesday the 19^th of July they had 30 inches of water leaking into the hold per hour and were in need to making a port so the ship could be “corked.”  On the 20^th William recorded “The Capt caled a council and they desided that the only Chance for them was to gow to Penang and they shaped their course acordingly. Put her before the wind and she did not make but little water. The saylors have ben wet for 10 days, my health has improved a little but I am very week and feble.”

Two days later they arrived in Penang, Malaysia for repairs.  William reported that it had a fine harbor and was beautiful with fruits of all kinds.  He reported that nutmeg was grown in an abundance as were other spices and cinnamon.  By August 4^th they were ready to set sail again and headed westerly.  On the 8^th they reached Samatra and sailed along its shores until the 12^th when they headed out into the Indian Ocean.  Poor William continued to battle health issues and reported that he had cholic at this point.  On the 16^th they crossed the equator heading south for the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa.

Saturday, September 2^nd was a very difficult day and night for the ship:  “Hard wind. Some squally. A tremendous thunder shower commenced at 2 in the evening. Continued till 8 in the

morning. the wind blew sow hard that we had to take in all her sail. There was a perfect sheet of Lightning all night. and the Rain descended in torents. Jack lanterns stood on evry mast head. The Second mate saw 4 Water Spouts in the morning. a tremendous sea on all Night. the waves dashed over all night. it was sow dark that you could not see your hand before you only when it Litened [lightning].”

Finally on September 15^th they passed Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa and then the 17^th rounded the Cape of Good Hope.  William reported needing his overcoat and mittens as the temperature was 55 degrees. From there they said northwesterly for Brazil.  They successfully crossed the Atlantic and reached Cape Sao Roque in the northeast corner of Brazil on October 6^th, 1853.  From here they continued sailing northwesterly towards their goal of Boston, Massachusetts crossing the equator two days later and returning to the northern hemisphere.

Saturday, October 22, 1853 was a day of reflection for William: “One year this morning since I left home. I have not heard from home cince I left. I have seen many Dark and Lonesome hours, and Days since I left My home. That now one can Realize unless they pass threw like Circumstances, which will be Rare if Ever. While Crosing the Diferant Seas, I witnessed heavy gales of Wind, Thunder storms and Squalls all most without number which are very Dangerous to Encounter, besides haveing the ship spring a Leek twice in Heavy Gales. I have Traveled threw the land where the Cholery Swept of its thousands, from morning till Evening and from Evening till morning the Dead Bodies were floting on the surface of the waters wich be spoke the great mortality of the Inhabitance of the Land. I feel in my heart Prays my Heavenly Father for the Preserving Care he has had over me the Past year, and for the blessings He has bestowed on me. Light fair wind. Saw a plenty of sea weed. we are in Lat. 22-00. Long 55-24. 1360 Miles from Nantucket Light House.”  This would be a year William would never forget.

On November 4, 1853 they sailed into the Gulf Stream.  The Gulf Stream is literally a river of warm water that originates in the Caribbean Sea, flows northerly along the east coast of the United States and then crosses the Atlantic towards northern Europe.  William found it interesting that they were now sailing in water that was 74 degrees, yet the air temperature varied from the 50’s down into the high 30’s.

We will close our account of this trip with William’s own words:

Thursday the 10 [November, 1853]

Made Sail in the morning and Sailed up Near the Light house, and at 10 A. M. We took a Pilot. Strong head wind.We took steem at 4 P. M. and at 6 we were at the Warf made fast in Boston. it has ben 126 Days since I came on board the ship John Gilpin. this has ben a happy Evening to me, one long to be remembered. Threw the Mercy and Blessings of my Heavenly father I am a gain in the Land of America. Thanks giving, Praise and glory to my Heavenly Father For my Protection while crossing the mighty Deep. Thermomiter 37.

His trip, and mission, were not complete but he had finally reached the mainland of the United States again.