From Thomas Waters Jr. to his wife Amy Waters (December 29, 1861)

[Thomas Waters to his wife] [from a transcript by Amaret Smyth, Canada]

Hotel de Trice Hue de something

          Havre

    Dec. 29th ‘61

My dear Amy

I received your letter dated Xmas and was very very glad to hear of your welfare as I was getting anxious about you and you know when I am anxious I am what Mama would say fidgetty or what I would term cross, not a pleasant state of mind to the possessor or neighbours.  I am sorry you expected me at Xmas as I dare say the disappointment lessened the enjoyment of the season which I hope however that you all at Surbiton fully enjoyed.

I have been thinking of the different parts of the world in which I have spent my last twenty Xmas’s and perhaps you or the others may feel amused at the recital tho’ my memory is so bad that I may possibly make here and there a mistake.  1861 – Havre, France; 60 off river Plate; 59  off Cape Horn; 58  crossing the Equator; 57  English Channel; 56  Melbourne, Australia; 55  Home Digby N.S; 54  HOME OLD ENGLAND; 53  off Newfoundland; 52  Home Digby N.S.; 51  Home Digby N.S.; 50  wrecked close where the steamer Hungarian was lost; 49  off Sable island (half pint water per day for about three weeks); 48  the famine year Galway Ireland; 47  most miserable of all laid up in a sailor’s den Liverpool; 46  driven by a tremendous gale under the lea of Cape Chapeau Rouge Newfoundland for refuge – any port in a storm – short of provisions, a very mouldy biscuit and a spoonfull of grease for a day’s allowance; 45  Baltimore yellow fever hospital with small pox, Cap’t. dead and a cart load of coffins in sight for Xmas boxes; 44  Staten island New York drafted to shovel snow from railway track; 43  Talcahuana Chili adrift with a broken leg; 42  Coast of Japan chasing sperm whales, one man killed, five badly hurt.

I suppose I might continue my Xmas days back a few years further but too much of one thing is good for nothing and I am in a hurry as I have to write some business letters which for once I have put off till this one to dear Amy is finished.  I miss you a good deal and will be glad when my cargo is out so that I can enjoy your company again. the detention here is cutting the profits of the voyage down fast, three thousand dollars gone already, but I have plenty of brother sufferers as sixty more large ships are in the same fix.  Does Alice enjoy Lizzie and May’s company or does she prefer Amy’s.  I think the ship will likely go to Cardiff or Newport thence to Halifax or Bermuda or if I can get an East India charter to pay I should prefer it but I am waiting for the news from U. States war or no war which will make a vast difference in sea affairs.  Mrs. Hutchins is still here and sends her love to you, there were two other Captain’s wives here but one has gone to England.

I must now conclude with love to all and wishing you a merry new year,

Your ever affectionate husband

           Thos. Waters