ASPCA founder Henry Bergh Travel Journal, Part One: May 20-December 5, 1847

Diary of three years travels in Europe and the East.

Left New York on Thursday May the 20th 1847 in the Packet ship New-York, Daniel Lines master, on her first voyage to Havre.

After proceeding as far as the "South west spit," came to anchor, owing to a head wind, and sufficient depth of water for crossing the Bar being wanting; the ship at the time drawing twenty feet.

May 21st [underlined] = This morning at 7 oclock the steamer which towed us yesterday, again came along side, and at eleven we were taken over the "Bar," and shortly after the services of the steamer being no longer required, she took leave of us & consigned us to the mercy of the elements.

Excess of ennui & languor unfit us for making memoranda, nor indeed is it necessary, as with exception of "incidents" if any happen, a sea voyage is always to us an immense blank, whose termination is the Land. The dull monotony was however once broken by the incident of stopping to furnish relief to a

suffering crew on board a Barque, two months and a half from the coast of Africa.

Our captain proved to be a most excellent, skillful, & kind hearted man, and won the affections of all on board, to testifywhich it was suggested that a complimentary letter be published on arriving at Havre, which I had the honour of drawing up, a copy of which is subjoined.

June 15 [underlined] = Was awoke early this morning by the uneasy motion of the ship, and upon going on deck found that she was "laging to" for a Pilot, whose boat was in sight. He shortly after came on board, the wind blowing at the time strong up Channel; and as it was yet scarcely daylight - I descended to my state-room & went to sleep.

At 12 oclock our ship having still a splendid breeze was carried safely into port & soon after the passengers landed and were conducted with their trunks to the Custom House our passage having been made in just twenty six days. As I had been made Bearer of Despatches by Mr. Buchanan, Secretary of State & was in possession of a Cabinet Passport, our baggage was not subjected to examination

—Nous recevons, avec priere de les publier, communication des deux lettres suivantes:

A bord du paquebot le New-York, en vue du Havre, le 14 juin 1847.

An capitaine David Lines.

Cher Monsieur,

Les soussignes passagers sur le paquebot New-York, a son premier voyage pour ce port, desirent vous presenter leurs sentimens de gratitude pour les soins et les attentions que vous leur aver lemoignes pendant cette traversee, et se felicitent d'avoir, parmi tant de batimens elegans et bien commandes qui naviguent entre ce port et New-York, choisi un capitaine tel que vous, et un batiment aussi magnifique et aussi rapide que le votre, pour lear faire traverser l'Atlantique.

Pendant le cours de ce voyage, les soussignes ont, en maintes occasions, ele temoins non-seulement de voire eminente habilete comme capitaine, mais encore des honorables qualites de votre coeur, qualites qui se sont manifestees par une active bienveillance, en faveur des personnes souffrantes et malheureuses, tant a bord de votre propre batiment que sur ceux qui ont reclame votre assistance.

C'est donc avec le plus grand plaisir que ces remercimens vous sont adresses par eux, et qu'en vous quittant, ils vous souhailent, a vous et votre noble navire, une longue carriere de succes et de prosperite.

Bien sincerement vos amis.

Henry BERGH. — Vte. LERURIER. — Charles ADDOMS. — Leon MANUEL — Georges DOUGLAS. — C.-M. SCHRODER. — N. CASTHELAS. —Timothee PAPIN. — D.-G UHDR. — A. BASSR. — Henry ESCHER. — W. SHANS. — Alexandre BACHON. — Joseph DELMARICO. — J. ADOUE. — Louis DISHOP. — Francis TIFFT. — PEUGNET pere. — Louis FAUCHE. —LAFARGUE. — Charles KEUTGEN. —L. TURCAS.

Paquebot New-York, en vne du Harre, 15 juin 1847. Messieurs.

Jai l'honneur de vous accuser reception de votre aimable let-[illegible] d'hier.

Vos, expressions de satisfaction relativement au beau paquebot que je commande, aussi bien qu’a ma propre personne, me sont extremement flatteuses.

Soyez assures que j'eprouve un vif sentiment de plaisir par suite de cette preuve de votre amitie, pour laquelle je vous remercie sincerement.

Puissiez-vous, vous et vos families, jouir tonjours [illegible] la sante et du bonheur que vous souhaite cordialement votre tres-humble et tres-obeissant serviteur,

D. LINES.

A MM. Henri Bergh, Charles Addoms, G. Douglas et les autres passagers.

We have been requested to publish the following letters: —

TO CAPTAIN DAVID LINES. On board the "New York" packet, in sight of Havre, June 14.

DEAR SIR, — The undersigned passengers in the "New York" packet-ship, on its first voyage to this port, are desirous of presenting to you their sentiments of gratitude for the care and attention you have shown them during the passage, and congratulate themselves on having—from among so many elegant and ably-commanded vessels navigating between this port and New Vork—chosen a captain like you, and a packet so magnificent and rapid as yours, to traverse the Attantic.

During the whole course of the voyage the undersigned have on many occasions been witnesses—not only of your eminent ability as captain, but of the honourable qualities of your heart—qualities which have been manifested by an active benevolence towards such persons as were unfortunate and suffering on board your own vessel, and also on board others which have required your assistance.

It is, then, with great pleasure that these thanks are addressed to you by those who, on leaving you, wish that a long career of success and prosperity may attend you and your noble ship.

Sincerely your friends,

HENRY BERGH; VTE. LERURIER; CHARLES ADDOMS; LEON MANUEL; GEORGE DOUGLAS; C. M. SCHRODER; N. CASTHELAS; TIMOTHEE PAPIN; D.-G. UHDE; A. BASSE, HENRY ESCHER; W. SHANS; ALEXANDRE BACHON; JOSEPH DELMARICO; J. ADOUE; LOUIS DISHOP; FRANCIS TIFFT; PEUGNET PERE: LOUIS FAUCHE; LAFARGUE; CHARLES KEUTGEN; T. TURCAS.

CAPTAIN LINES' REPLY

The "New York" packet, in sight of Havre, June 15.

GENTLEMEN. —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter of yesterday.

Your expressions of satisfaction relative to the fine packet I command, as well as towards me personally, are extremely flattering.

Be assured that I experience a warm feeling of pleasure from this proof of your friendship, and for which I thank you sincerely.

May you and your families ever enjoy that health and happiness which you have so cordially wished for your very humble and very obedient servant, D. LINES.

To Messrs. Henry Bergh, Charles Addoms, G. Douglas, and the rest of the passengers.

but were permitted to take it immediately along with us to the Hotel de L'Europe, where we put up in Company with our friends Mr & Mrs Addoms.

June 16 [underlined] = After a night passed without the incessant motion of the ship, which by the way we most willingly dispense with, we breakfasted and then strolled about town. Havre is very much improved since my first visit here in 1832, and is indeed an interesting town to a stranger particularly if just from ship board!

June 17 [underlined] - A showery day, therefore remained home and wrote letters part of the morning to send to New York by the Steamer of the 19 instant.

Miss [Croxall?] of Philadelphia, daughter of our consul at Marseilles, who came out in the ship with us, joined us in our sitting room & likewise occupied herself in writing home.

Eating & drinking has been our chief amusement since landing, & in order to guard against accident therefrom, we have thought of engaging a Gendarme to remove us from the table at the proper moment, as we deem our safety in danger from long fasting on board of ship - thereby rendering us almost insensible to the promptings of satisfied hunger.

June 18 [underlined] - Left Havre by Railroad this