Diary: James P. Stabler, 1827 (Volume 2)

2 ^nd

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Letter 2nd. Being a continuation of the voyage up the Irish Sea to Liverpool and the commensement of a journal of the residences on Land &c &c - 1827

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First day morning 7mo 15th 1827

After a long series of Hopes fears, anxieties and disappointments, we took a Pilot on board this morning at 4 oclock off Point Linas.– Island of Anglesea to which Holyhead would be joined except for a cleft between the rocks of the Island & ' [heads?] over which a bridge is suspended. Anglesea is connected with the Island by a most superb bridge of Iron chains, which reaches from the island to Wales, of sufficient height at ebb tide for the tallest mast to pass under without interfering with its stupendous structure. Stupendous it is indeed – for nothing perhaps in the known world can at present bear a comparison with this specimen of British enterprise.– This day after a pleasant wind for a few hours in the morning, left us with another

calm!!! "When will there be a storm?" the wistful mariner exlaims, and "When a propitious breeze" drawls out our impatient comp^y – The Welsh coast with its bold promontories projecting into the channel – its finely cultivated hills and enchanting dales, and distant mountains rising one behind the other in beautiful perspective, cannot engage the attention of our impatient crew and passengers enough to suppress the ardent sighings for the haven before us, which seem to increase as we approach it; – or else it has whetted the appetite for Land to an intensity, that we have not before experienced._

This however in the after noon was seen literaly sated by the approach of a Steam-boat or "Steamer" sufficiently near to understand aour signal, and turn towards us. She came along side, when, fifteen of our passengers went onboard and bid adieu, some of them forever, to the "good old Pacific"

For my part being a thorough bred American, I gave not up the

Ship — and not only saved my guinea and a half, but a quiet nights rest - and the fun of walking the deck all night.

— They were soon out of sight - but we learned since being on shore, that the tide failing, they had to cast anchor near the "floating lights",* and did {*12 miles from Liverpool} not get to port, until after four oclock next morning — In the evening the wind sprung up in our favour - and we anchord a few miles below the town of Liverpool at six oclock next morning. We got half a Breakfast on board and went up in a small "Steamer" manned by some ragged looking little wretches, and commanded by a jocular old Captain, of Scotland — a would be zealous defender of the Kirk —

With him I would fain have some chat - and to feel this pulse of a foreigner on this own grounds towards our Happy happy land, I soon let him into the secret of my citizenship – many enquires were made on his part – and to the respective answers – the most unbounded astonishment was expected, but to