INTERNATIONAL
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| Ship: 1003 tons: 176' x 35' x
18' Built: 1851 by Clement Littlefield at Kennebunk, Maine |
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The square-rigged International made one of the most successful and
notable Mormon emigrant voyages. It began at Liverpool on 28 February
1853. On board were 435 Saints under the presidency of Elder Christopher
Arthur and his counselors, John Lyon and Richard Waddington. Captain David
Brown of Provincetown, Massachusetts, was part-owner and master of the
vessel. During the crossing there were seven deaths, seven births, and
five marriages. Shortly after the ship left port, Elder Arthur called a meeting of priesthood holders in the company. He then divided the emigrants into eight wards, six for steerage and two for the second-class cabin passengers. An elder presided over each ward and was accountable to a general council. These leaders were responsible for the health, behavior, and welfare of the emigrants. Every evening meetings were held for worship, instruction, and testimony bearing. During the voyage the Saints were filled with religious fervor. and spiritual manifestations such as speaking in tongues and prophesying were reported. In a letter to President Samuel W. Richards, dated 26 April 1853, Arthur described a unique missionary success: "These things and the good conduct of the Saints have had a happy result in bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. And I am now glad to inform you that we baptized all on board except three persons. We can number the captain, first and second mates, with eighteen (18) of the crew....The others baptized were friends of the brethren. The number baptized in all is forty-eight (48)....The captain is truly a noble, generous-hearted man; and to his honor I can say that no man ever left Liverpool with a company of Saints more beloved by them, or who has been more friendly and social than he has been with us; indeed, words are inadequate to express the fatherly care over us as a people; our welfare seemed to be near to his heart." Except for minor bouts of seasickness, the emigrants were remarkably free from illness. For five weeks the ship encountered head winds and some heavy gales. In one storm the vessel nearly capsized. Yet at times she sailed about two hundred twenty miles a day. On 6 April the emigrants assembled on the forecastle to celebrate the twenty-third anniversary of the church. Six musket rounds were fired and the festivities began. The celebrants marched to the poop deck, and the leaders robed in sashes with white rosettes on their chests took seats with their backs to the mainmast. Twelve young men and twelve young women, picturesquely robed, seated themselves on each side of the presidency. Then there were scripture readings, partaking of the sacrament, speeches, singing, recitations, dancing, and four marriages. The program lasted until late at night. President Arthur wrote that "everything was done with the highest decorum." He added an interesting footnote: "I am happy to say we called Brother Brown (Captain) with others of the officers of the ship to office, Brother Brown to that of an Elder." This happy voyage ended at New Orleans on 23 April -- a fifty-four-day passage. The Saints continued their journey by steamboat up the Mississippi to Keokuk, Iowa. The International, which operated in the White Star Line and later in the Warren & Thayer's Line, was owned by Captain Brown and six other Yankees. Her registration indicates this three-master was built with two decks, no galleries, a square stern, and a billethead. In 1863 the vessel was lost at sea. (from "Ships, Saints, & Mariners -- A Maritime Encyclopedia of Mormon Migration 1830-1890" by Conway B. Sonne, University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, 1987 |
