John's Journal

Pages 1&2 missing

clear regarding geography. Many different nationalities were represented on the ship. There were four hundred passengers besides captain and crew, which numbered two hundred. Our steamer, the "Umbria:" is one of the largest and best afloat. It is five hundred feet long. We came 2" class. A great deal of distinction is shown the different classes. The 1" class have many privileges both within the ship and on deck which the others do not enjoy. The steerage is a most miserable passage. People are stowed away like cattle in the bottom of the ship. The weather was cold on mid ocean for three days during which time the hatchways or openings onto the lower deck were closed as the waves were quite high and would frequently wash the lower deck. This closed up the ventilation practically and many would go to the upper deck where I found it most comfortable though it was cold.

Many of the waves were as large as the "twin knolls" over toward Haight bench, some larger; sea gulls were flying around us much of the time. When we reach Liverpool that was Sat. evening Bro. T. Taylor, son of Prest. Taylor was at the docks to meet us.

These docks are wonderful. Large platforms are constructed on which the necessary buildings custom house & are built. They are made to float so that when the tide comes in, which does come twice a day, the platforms will rise with the water and when the water recedes they will lower making it very handy in unloading. Well, when we got ashore I felt the nearest home I had since leaving home. I felt quite English in fact. We put up at a hotel near the office-had some good milk and bread for supper. The next morning I looked around in my room and could see so many little things that reminded me of mother, and thought although you are Americanized there still [unreadable] with how English ways. I have felt really happy ever since we got here. Yesterday we attended the meeting of the branch in Liverpool. Everything was as clean as wax and neat as a pin in their little room and we had a good time. Sung old fashioned hymns and I fancied I could see mother years ago before she immigrated. Frank J. Cannon was there. He came over on the ship we came on. There were ten of us besides Bro. Taylor. All but one of us could

(LCM)