[Thomas Waters to his mother]
[from a transcript]
New York
Nov 18th 1864
Dear Mother
In haste Nov 15th We arrived here after a very very stormy passage of 39 days.
We encountered a hurricane, had decks swept, lost sails, but no lives etc there were few of us who expected to outlive it but here we are like shrimps in London (all alive o) I never had to hold on harder in my life to the Mizen shrouds, I just hung by my arms my legs floated away as far as they could but I got them back again, some of the men had narrow escapes –
The roar of the sea & hurricane was so fearful that the dogs on board howled and trembled with terror May I never see another hurricane. I had to send it out (Papa can explain that) We sailed in a circle with the wind until I gradually edged out of it. We passed lots of wreck stuff floating about & saw several disabled ships but none needed assistance. Hope all are well
I remain
Your ever affectionate son
Thomas Waters