From Thomas Waters Jr. to his parents, Elizabeth Waters and Thomas Waters Sr. (January 25, 1850)

[Thomas Waters to his parents]

[from a transcript]     32

25 January 1850 

Digby. Nova Scotia

Dear Father and Mother

Hoping a happy Christmas and New Year has passed over your heads as they used to in former days when we used to stone the plums for the big pudding and drop them under the table ’till we got a chance to get under to eat them (poor Joseph learnt us that trick) and when Pappa used to share out the apples and nuts, what a quantity they used to appear in our eyes, 12 apples, 24 chestnuts, 12 hazel nuts and I do not know how many small nuts, toast and butter for breakfast and then after dinner each one their Xmas money, I can recollect the first that was given me after the Barham cruise, one shilling it made me feel as rich as Croesus, I did not like dropping it into the round brown crockery money box but I recollect I used to shake the concern about three times a day to make sure it was there, after which I got eighteenpence which I invested in a rabbit and hutch, that was when we lived in Rectory Place, all hands alive.  Mary one penny per week, the rest of us halfpenny which generally went for hardbake or that sort of sweetmeat was cheapest and lasted the longest, you see I have filled up one side of this letter about long ago Xmases.  I think the happy times of our childhood press on our imagination most in adversity, not that I have the least thing to complain of at present, but last Xmas day and especially the three preceding days I can assure you I suffered.  In the first place we were on less than a pint of water a day and that of the consistency of gruel owing to the dirt, in the next place all hands were sick except myself, we had a long passage and lastly on the 23rd Dec. we encountered a hurricane, it commenced about 8 in the evening, we were very deep laden, but the vessel was well built and well fastened and new that saved us, hundreds of vessels in nearly the same Lat. and Long. foundered on that dreadful night.  I have been in Typhoons in the China Sea and storms off Cape Horn and in the Atlantic, but never have I witnessed before anything equal to the 23rd, we did not lose a rope yarn, when we arrived in Boston several merchants enquired were you out on the 23rd, they would hardly credit it for we are very taut rigged which of course heightens the dangers in a storm, we had likewise an ironbound lee shore but fortunately only for a short time as the wind shifted suddenly from one quarter to another which saved us fortunately from our apparently certain doom.  On Xmas day it merely blew a gale right ahead which added to our short allowance of water, created unpleasant feelings, but still it only verifies scripture, one shall be taken and the other left, five other vessels started the same day with us deep as ourselves, the remaining two drifted ashore, their crews perished.  You think I have no reason to complain and I think so myself for while hundreds are out of employ I am engaged.  I am very well in health and seem to stand all climates better than the generallity of my shipmates. It is rather curious, I am quite grey headed nearly as much as Mamma. I meant to have written this to Uncle but I began it wrong.  I hope Mary is still pleased with her home.  The first of this letter was written in Boston now I have arrived in Digby and have received two letters from Surbiton which was a great pleasure to me.  The vessel which I was in has been laid up for the rest of the winter. I am employed sail making and mending, a trade I picked up at sea and which gains me some pay but not so much as going to sea, as of course I am not a proficient but half a loaf is better than none. I am much obliged to my Father for his kind offer and perhaps before next Xmas may need it but at present do not require it. Several owners of vessels have offered me a share upon credit provided I go Master but I want to have a share clear from debt, My employers have offered me and it is with them I mean to share.

 I am sorry to hear that Sarah has been sick but hope she will soon get better.  I have not received any newspapers from home and therefore as they keep them at the Post Office, you had better not send me any more but dont stop sending me letters, those I received upon my arrival here were the best Xmas gift I have received this year, you can still direct your letters here.  I cannot say where my next voyage will be to but I think to the West Indies as the owners are talking of sending a vessel there.  My being an entire stranger here is a great hindrance to me as several strangers lately have when put in command of vessels ran away with the freight and gone to California.  I am sorry to hear that my Father has been sick and again happy to hear that it was of short duration. My health is very good and I hope all at home are well  Remember me to Uncle, Aunt and Cousins etc

I am glad to hear that Ben has improved

  I remain

 Your affectionate son

Thomas Waters