Sold by William Reese Company, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since 13 July 2006
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
A dramatic account of evangelical minister, missionary, and published author Thomas P. Nisbett and his family's Atlantic crossing from London to New York aboard the schooner Plymouth Rock, in June 1861. His entries depict a voyage laden with peril on a nearly daily basis, including squalls, storms, the ever-looming threat of privateers, an unruly crew, and the promise of war to greet them upon their arrival in America. Illness and injury is a particular concern as there was no medical officer on board, or "medicine of any kind." The diary itself is a simple blank journal with lined paper. Nisbett's signature is on a label on the front cover, and on the front pastedown he has written "Day Book 1861 Weekly Expenditure for House Purposes January," although the journal begins with them boarding the Plymouth Rock at noon on June 21. Nisbett's hand is relatively clear but his writing is terse, and he only uses full sentences when discussing spiritual topics. The trip begins well enough, even though the very evening they set sail, there is a "fire in next cabin. Accidentally caused by Mrs. Powell (French woman). Extinguished by the captain. Sat. June 22.Nice weather.Sails set ahead. Pass well known spots." "Sickness" starts spreading on June 23, and by June 25, "Wife, Charles & Mary sick on deck in the sun.This is wife & son John's Birth day, I keep quite free from sickness." By the 27th, many are still sick, but Nisbett's attention is directed elsewhere: "Youth discovered last night stowed away in the hold. Set to work." The second Sunday of the trip (June 30) is a "beautiful day.[as] becoming the Lord's day.," and Nisbett begins his shipboard ministry: "Service on deck by me at 3 o'clock. Attendance and attention good." Nisbett frequently discusses his faith and intersperses prayers for his family and fellow passengers throughout his diary. He notes that his "profession gains some respect for us, even from the most dissolute. May God make me useful on board and give me words to speak that will go to the hearts & consciences of the people." The next morning he notices a comet - the Great Comet of 1861 (discovered by John Tebbutt) - which he tracks for the rest of the voyage. Mid-morning on July 3, the weather took a turn: "Strong wind is increasing. Lashed all things fast. 12 to 2 o'clock blowing great guns. By 4 P.M. strengthened to a gale. A sail taken in every half hour. One sail (fore Royal). Split main sail.plunging along 10 knots. Several persons sick." Nevertheless, "passengers generally in good spirits." The weather clears that evening and he can see the comet again. The next day is the "4th, Anniversary American Independence. Heavy winds all through the previous night. Squalls & danger of capsizing the ship. Squalls all day long." Once again, the weather doesn't seem to dampen the celebrations: "All passengers sign the Declaration of Independence. 3 guns fire. Sailors treated. Fire works at night." The storms continue for several days, and he is not calmed as an "equal number of passengers are apportioned to each one of four boats.Go to bed in fear, yet our hope is in God." Yet again, the voyage continues, suggesting that Nisbett's anxieties about the storms may be out of proportion with the severity of the storms themselves. Nisbett continues to hold Sunday services, with more or less attendance from the passengers and crew. His July 14 service had good attendance and "good attention. Some sailors present who appear much interested." He reports sightings of whales, as well as "Dolphins & Schools of Porpoises." He also describes repairing his boots as well as the children's shoes. In the meantime, his wife's health is very poor. On the morning on July 18, she is better, "but very very weak. Fear she may be ill. We pray to God to avert, as there is no medical man on board, medicines, nor hardly any article of comfort beyond ship rations." Over the next few days Nisbett writes about an American packet ship that appears to har.
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