Atlantic Crossing Diaries
RICHARD RUNDELL'S DIARY
Richard Rundell's diary was written while crossing the Atlantic in 1850. It took him and the other members of his party forty-nine days (April 11-May 29) to travel from Padstow, England to Quebec, Canada, which is where the diary ends.
April 11--We left Paddstow for Quebec at half past 3. We did not know that any of our brothers were in town, until we were near the points. Nearly all the passengers on board were sick that evening. Saw several sails near the points.
April 12--Fine weather. Sailing 3 1/2 knots an hour. All still sick.
April 13--Fair wind. Sailing 7 1/2 knots, until 11 o'clock, when the wind blew high and carried waya our bowsprit and jib boom. Rather sick, but better, thank God.
April 14--Great rain, but good sailing. 6 knots. very well today, tending the sick folks, who are all sick. Vessel rolling in a most hideous manner. Things rolling about the ship. Some timid folks; Mary sick and is rather poorly. I have just returned from a prayer meeting which was conducted by the mate.
April 15--Sailing fast, rather rough.
April 16--Head wind, 1 1/2 knots an hour.
April 17--Fine weather. Held a prayer meeting. Felt it a time of refreshing, coming from the presence of the Lord.
April 18--We saw a fine Bark, laden with guano bound to liverpool. Named "Jenny Jones". Spoke with the captain through a trumpet.
April 19--Rough weather, sailing strong northwest.
April 20--Head wind southwest. I have not been sick since the Friday we left. We have seen gulls everyday.
April 21--Sunday. Fine weather. Preaching in the afternoon, Trebilcock from Waderidge. Although prevented from attending chapel, we feel Christ precious in our floating bethel. Preaching in the evening.
April 22--Fine wether.
April 23--Fair wind.
April 24--Nothing particular to be seen.
April 25--About 10 this morning our captain spied a vessel which was in distress. We made toward her with all speed and found her in most precarious condition. Nearly all the rigging and two other masts were gone. The capatin and four sailors went on board, found none save one woman, who was dead in her bed.Our crew brought away several things, such as sails, ropes, chains, books, and soforth. Three vessels came along side and plundered her slso. 1st, "EM" from Wales; 2nd, "Canton" from Glasgow in Ireland (Scotland); 3rd, "John Bell" from Ireland. The wreck is called "Serphim" from Ireland; very fine ship, so large s the "Clio" They think she had passengers bound for America. There was a great quantity of provisions and a deal of clothes and beds. Thank God we're all spared so far.
April 26--Saw three whales. Most hideous animals. Several on board fired at them but made no impression on them.
April 28--Sunday. Very cold. Sailing 8 knots. Saw several vessels ahead. Preaching in the afternoon and evening.
Apil 29--Very calm.
April 30--Fine weather. Saw a flock of porpoise and some birds.
May 1--Very calm.
May 2--Very calm.
May 3--Fine breeze, sailing 7 knots an hour. A great number of birds flying about our ship.
May 4--About two o'clock this morning we ran into the ice. The ship was sailing 7miles an hour. She struck it with tremendous force; if she had not been strong we sould have sunk to the bottom. I went on deck and Oh the sight! IT as awfully grand indeed. Surrounded by ice so thick we could not move; some great pieces, some small, some high as the bulwarks of the ship above the water and twice that north below. We gotclear about 7 in the morning.
May 5--Clear of the ice. We see it about 12 or 14 miles to ourright hand. Preaching in the afternoon.
May 6--Calm. The ice is perceptable through the spy glass.
May 7--Lots of birds.
May 8--Gentle breeze.
May 9--Fair weather.
May 10--A large field of ice before us.
May 11--Gloomy wether.
May 12--Saw lots of icebergs, on as large as a black rock.
May 13--Rough weather. Icebergs like Trevasehill.
May 14--Saw several icebergs; it looks like vessels at a distance.
May 15--Saw ship. Calm.
May 16--Fine.
May 17--Rough.
May 18--Fine. Saw land. The most southern part of Newfoundland and it looks barren and some snow.
May 19--Fine breeze. Sailing 8 to 9 knots. Preaching in the evening.
May 20--PAssed fishing boat. Foggy. Saw large school of mackeral.
May 21--Fine breeze. About to enter the gulf (Gulf of St. Lawrence). Entered a large field of ice but received no damage.
May 22--During the past night we have been in the ice again about two o'clock and went right through. I hope this is the last.
May 23--Fair wind.
May 24--Calm.
May 25--Land on east side, extremely high, some snow on it.
May 26--Head wind. Several huts on the shore inhabited by Indians who live on fish and fowl. Arrived in teh quarrantine ground about 7 o'clock.
May 29--Examined by the doctor an left. Arrived at Quebec about 4 o'clock Wednesday.
May 30--Thursday. Went to the city of Quebec. Ate supper at a hotel. Cost 9 pence. Went to the garrison in the afternoon. A high hill, a thick wall with holes in it to shoot through. Several large cannons and lots of cannon balls. We took some of them in our hands to see how heavy they wre. A soldier pacing forth and back said, "Walk on. Walk on." We hired a boat to take us to our ship, the "Bell", Captain Bisson.
May 31--Left the ship, went aboard a large steamer in the afternoon.
June 1--Arrived at Montreal the next morning. Did not sleep much that night. Boat full of people of different nations and oh, what confusion and noise. Boarded a train and rode 9 miles to Lachine, then boarded a steam boat and arrived at Ogdensberg, N.Y. Saturday night. Stayed there over Sunday. A very pretty city, shade trees each side of the street. Some fine flower gardens. Left Monday morning on the same boat. Arrived at Owego, New York. Looked about the town for two hours. A fine city. Went aboard same boat. Sailed through the locks on the Welland Canal. Called at several towns along the lakes, Rochester and some I don't remember.
THOMAS RUNDELL DIARY
Exerpt Taken Upon Arrival in Quebec.
(Left Padstow on the "Clio" on April 3rd, 1848)
May 24--All the passengers arrived in good health. Thank God for bringing us safely across the Atlantic, being five weeks and five days on the water. (Mrs. Emma Rundell was taken off at the quarrentine ground. She was emaciated but not sick. She and another woman made their escape.)
May 27--Put our things aboard the Queen, a steamboat. It is the finest boat I ever saw. Paid our fare for Montreal. Left Quebec at seven in the evening.
May 28--It is fine weather. The scenery on each side of this river is beautiful. The tall young trees on each side, shooting forth their leaves in grandeur. The cattle feeding on the rich pastures. The river and the land just on a level and large rafts of timber carried grandly down the stream. Arrived at Montreal at 3 (in the afternoon). At 4 went ashore and found F. Turner's House. He kept an English House. Here we had 3 pints of cider, 4 basins of tea, 1/2 pound of butter, and a large loaf of bread for 2 shillings, 6 pence each for our beds, good accomodations. This is a pretty town, well laid off grand houses, good streets, well lighted with gas.
May 29--Paid our fare for Kingston. First, we were taken 9 miles by rail to Lachine. The land here is not so good as it is back farther. Went on board another steamboat. Soon got into upper Canada, good land here, large fields, fine orchards, flourshing trees.
May 30--Arrived at Kingston at 4. Did not see much of this town here. We paid our fare to Buffalo. Went on board another steamer, started at 5 in the evening.
May 31--Arrived at Oswego at 3 A.M. This city is in New York state. Here e found another English House. Got a good breakfast cheap. It is a fine country here. Left at 9. We are crossing the Lake Ontario. Stopped at Rochester. Arrived at Lewiston at 5 A.M.
June 1--Here we had our baggagecarried up over a hill in a wagon. Then for three miles we were drawn by horses over a railroad. Land light here. We went into the railroad carriages and started at 12 o'clock. Arrived at the Niagra Falls at 1 o'clock. Took dinner by the side of the splendid falls. Started at 2 o'clock and arrived at Buffalo at 4. Took our things to an Englishman's house, Mr. Well's Hotel.
June 2--Here we paid our fare to Milwaukee. Went on board of the Baltic. Left Buffalo at 7 in the evening. This is a large town. Good place for business.
June 3--We are now crossing Lake Erie. Stopped at Cleveland. Small town. Dirty streets.
June 4--Sunday. Now we are in Lake Huron. Foggy. We can hardly see land.
June 5--This is a large lake. The wind is blowing strong. It seems as though we are in a ocean. Now we are in Lake Michigan.
June 6--
June 7--We are now 180 miles from Platteville. Here the wagonercharged $20 for 20 hundred weight, either pasengers or luggage to carry it to Mineral Point. Engaged at teamster to take us to Mineral Point. Started at 10 o'clock. Traveled 29 miles. Stopped at a tavern. They charged us 50 cents a head for supper, bed, and breakfast.
June 8--Started at 6. Passed some very good land today.
June 9--It is tiresome to travel a wagon. Weather hot and dry.
June 10--We are now crossing some beautiful prairie land. I did not expect to see so much good land free of trees.
June 11--Slept seven miles form Mineral Point. Arrived at Mineral Point at 9 o'clock. Agreed with the same teamsters to take us to Platteville. It is beatiful land between. Arrived at Platteville exactly when they were coming out of the chapel (Primitive Methodist on Second Street). Met with Stephan and Eliza here and went home with them. Glad we met with relatives and friends in a foreign land.
Thus ended our journey making eight weeks and two days. Thank God for a safe voyage.
Signed--Thomas Rundell.