Voyage V · English Steamer

Hibernia

Liverpool → Boston · 4–23 January 1846 · 19 Days

Crossings by steamer, though longer than today's, offered nothing picturesque. Numerous passengers. Seasickness raging among many of them; little intimacy; barely any politeness. We had bad weather, cold and storms. The list of miles run in 24 hours gives an idea of it.

4 January. We leave Liverpool, clear the Mersey, and run down the canal St Georges [St George's Channel]. Same route; we gain the open sea. From 120 to 221 miles a day, the quantity varying with the weather.

On the 18th, a snowstorm. On the 19th, fog; on the 20th arrived at Halifax at 5 in the evening. On the 21st we follow the desolate coasts of Nova Scotia; on the 22nd we cross the Bay of Fundy; on the 23rd we arrive at Boston after 19 days' crossing.

A woman reclining limp in an armchair, a basin on the floor beside her — "Elle est malade" (*sea sick*)

A woman propped in a berth, bonnet and shawl, a handkerchief in her hand — "Elle est malade" (*sea sick*)

A man slumped in an armchair in cap and cravat, a white handkerchief across his lap — "Il est malade", and beneath it, in English: "sea sick"

Original manuscript pages (1)