From Thomas Waters Jr. to his brother Benjamin Waters (December 29, 1848)

[Thomas Waters to his brother Benjamin]

Galway Roads, Dec^r 29 1848

Dear Brother,

I expect this will be the last letter that I will have a chance to send from this port as we are now under weigh and our sails set for America, a homeward bound passage to all but me to whom it is neither one nor the other.  I believe we will have a stormy passage as the weather has set in very stormy, however it wont be anything strange if we do.  I received a letter from home and with it two Mercurys but no Illustrated News which Mama says were sent weekly but I have received but two and they were the first weeks I was here, they are very amusing and I kept them for rainy days and Sundays etc.  I believe you will soon be out of your time, and then what is your future intention, do you mean to continue with Mr Bake or commence on your own hook as the Yankees say.  I hope you may be fortunate.

If I was you I would not try to lift above my strength as it is very dangerous and unhealthy, you know your trade is not like mine, I get plenty of fresh air, exercise and saltwater whereas you get little or none and are therefore more likely to feel the effects of slight injuries.  I received a letter from home with some book marks from Sarah, you must tell her I am much obliged to her, they are very pretty and I will keep them for her sake.  I am glad to hear all are well.  I had a middling pleasant Xmas only I had to be on deck getting cables out as it was blowing a gale.

Dont forget to write to me in New York, the letters must be there before me, if you write in about a month or so by steamer I will get them.  Irish passengers are certainly the dirtiest levels under the sun, they will make a mess right in the middle of a quoit of rope and at night it makes the ropes slip very uncomfortably through the fingers.  They think nothing of doing a job in their kettles or saucepans and just throw it out and put in potatoes and cook them.  I thought sailor cooks were dirty but they are nothing to the Irish.

I am quite well, hope you all are the same.

I remain

 Your affectionate brother

      Thomas

 hurry skurry

 love to all

Addressed to Mr B. Waters, at Mr B. Bakes, Chester st., Birkenhead, Liverpool