History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

EMIGRANT SHIPS. 419
The Mormons objected to take passage in ships
which carried other emigrants; or, if they embarked
in such vessels, it was always arranged that a partition
should be built to separate them from the gentiles.
The dietary was on a scale 52 that gave to most
of them better fare than that to which they had before
been accustomed. Many of the vessels chartered
for New Orleans were of large tonnage, some of them
carrying as many as a thousand passengers. When
on board, the brethren were divided into wards, each
with its bishop and two councillors, who were implicitly
obeyed. The centre of the ship was occupied by
married couples, single men being placed in the bow
and single women in the stern. Strict discipline was
enforced on the voyage. 53
Divine service was held
each day, morning and evening, when the weather
was favorable, and on Sundays an awning was spread
over the main deck, and spare spars so arranged as to
furnish seats. Among many of the companies were
excellent choirs, which rendered the church music;
and during the passage there were frequent entertainments,
concerts, and dance-parties, in which the cap-
tain and officers of the ship participated.
After landing, the same organization was maintained.
Remaining for a few days at New Orleans, the emigrants
were conveyed in companies by steamer to St
Louis, and thence proceeded to Council Bluffs. 54 Here
on warm days all sick persons, whether willing or not, were brought into the
air and sunshine.' Linforth's Routefrom Liverpool, 25. 'For each party were
appointed watchmen (or committeemen) to see that no improprieties occurred
among the people, or between our people and the sailors.' Richards' Narr.,
MS., 31. In 1S35 the line of route was changed to Philadelphia and New
York, and thence to Cincinnati. Richards' Incidents in Utah Hist., MS., 6.
52 For each adult, weekly, 1\ lbs bread or biscuit, 1 lb. wheat flour, 5 lbs
oatmeal, 2 lbs rice, \ lb. sugar, 2 oz. tea, 2 oz. salt. Three quarts of water
were allowed per diem. Linforth's Route from Liverpool, 20. Twenty pounds
of breadstuff's per capita and an allowance of butter and cheese were provided
by the Mormon superintendent. Mackay, The Mormons, 270. Meat was often
issued in lieu of meal or bread.
53 All were required to be in their berths at 8 o'clock, and before 7 the
beds were made and the decks swept. Mackay, The Mormons, 272.
51 In the Deseret News. May 29, June 12, 1S52, and the Juvenile Instructor,
xiv. 143, is an account of a boiler explosion that occurred on board a steamer
from St Louis, with a list of those who were killed by the accident.