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| 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 19th 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 20th 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 4th
they were ready to set sail again and headed westerly. On the 8th they reached Samatra
and sailed along its shores until the 12th 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 16th they crossed the
equator heading south for the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa.
Saturday,
September 2nd 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 15th they passed Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa
and then the 17th 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 6th, 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.
