1899
United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, France
May 22nd, 1899
S.S. "Moana", Pacific Ocean
My Beloved Angee,
We left San Francisco last Wednesday evening at midnight the 17th and are now getting near Honolulo – I am writing on Monday morning, so we have 4 or 5 days experience – our first night at sea was anything but pleasant, a strong wind had been blowing all the day which had raised a heavy sea and we were not through the Golden Gate very long before our good ship became lively and the passengers very sorrowful and sick. Our ship was crowded in every part. I had a nice man a Californian farmer for a cabin companion who was getting his first experience of sea in a trip to Honolulo and back – poor fellow he was very bad. Our cabin being on deck, the sea occasionally dashed against it – our carpet and floor soon becoming drenched and the spray coming through the ports which it was necessary to keep open for fresh air. Well it was very uncomfortable for everybody and I was glad when the night was passed – at breakfast in the morning there were very few who put in an appearance and I had no sooner sat down than I found it necessary to retire before commencing breakfast I was feeling so sick, but it was only wind and when relieved of this I returned and enjoyed the meal. We soon ran out of the troubled water and the following day the water was Pacific indeed and it has been simply perfection ever since. The Captain is a nice man and has shewn me much kindness and many of the officers too. The ship is nearly new and the Table is very good. The first person I recognised is one that you also know – Mr McAdoo of the Jubilee Singers who is returning to Sydney after a tour through the States not with the singing company but with a company of coloured people 29 in number also with him on the ship – they in the second he in the first saloon. He has been travelling with some kind of theatre show. His wife has been running the Jubilee Singers through New Zealand during his absence. Have got to know many people and have had some nice conversations with many. There is an English clergyman on board who has been living in Auckland and doing a little farming for a few years – he is an M.A. and is just returning from Edinburgh where he has obtained a M.D. degree for medicine – he is a Dorset man called Roper about 40 perhaps but a little singular in that he talks to himself and sometimes clasps his hands and screws up his face as if bursting with some inner joy – of course a little peculiarity of that sort is quickly marked on board ship. He is a well informed person and I have had some nice talks with him and he appears to know and love the truth. Yesterday Lord's day morning I was led to lift my heart to God for the people on board and after breakfast spoke to the Purser about permission to have a little service in the Second Saloon and was much surprised at being asked to....
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