[Thomas Waters’ widow to her mother-in -law in Hook, Surrey]
[original:no envelope]
Digby Nova Scotia
Sept 8th 1871
My Dear Mother
I received your letter with one also from Annie. you have before this got Lizzie’s letter with the copy of the Mate’s letter to me and another she wrote to say we had had a visit from the mate. he says there is not the least shadow of hope, he is a very strong large man and a strong constitution or he could not have borne the exposure. he says he was on the forward part of the ship and the Capt. aft so they could not speak together at all. he says the Capt. called him to come aft and they would pray together but he could not get to him so he said we will pray seperately where we are and directly after a piece of the deck plank with himself and five others floated off from the fast breaking up ship, he called to the others to come but did not hear any answer but some one called and asked him if he had any rope and he said not an inch. then he says he could not tell whether the Capt. was there or not but thinks most likely they were washed off one by one because he could only distinguish two or three. he says the first blow the mainmast went out and sank it was iron, the mate was all that night drifting around amongst fragments of the wreck on a three inch plank and was very much chilled. next morning he was picked up by a Peruvian Vessel, I asked why he did not try and induce that same Capt. to return and search for the rest. he said he did but that he was disabled and could not get back, the Capt. told him he passed the stern of the Wealth of Nations and was very close to it but no one was on it, he says the Second mate and three men were put out in the gig with provisions, ship’s papers and compasses and ordered to lay by the wreck but the treacherous creature cut the rope and went off. afterwards in attempting to land in the serf [surf] the boat was capsized and the second mate drowned. Oh dear Mother I dare not think of our sad sad loss, the Mate says Tom was coming home from Callao and he was to take the ship, he says his constant talk was about his farm and his family. the mate knew each of the children by hearing so much about them. it was a sort of sad satisfaction to see him inasmuch that it put an end to suspense, I have had strength given me to bear up under this heavy blow. I found I must command my feelings on account of my poor children, I thought Lizzie and Johny would go mad, poor Johnie says if I never see Papa again I will kill myself. the rest all feel it very deeply, I think never an hour passed without one talking of him. I was getting ready to remove to Marshall Town when I heard the dreadful news. Mr Turnbull advised me to stop here at any rate ’till the affairs can be settled. he has all the papers and accounts and he is doing what he can for me, the mate sent the policy of insurance for Tom’s part of the ship to England. all the accounts came in the box that was put in the gig and forwarded to me with two or three books and quantities of old letters were brought to me by the Mate. I went last week to St John’s to buy mourning, the only time I have been out. Mr Turnbull has no proofs yet whether dear Tom drew his wages or not. I am beginning now to look the world in the face, this is my first trouble and sometimes it seems greater than I can bear but there is the sweet sympathysing Jesus to look to for comfort, we know that he doeth all things well.
I have been so very busy sewing I have made all our black and white print dresses for the house and Lizzie’s and May’s best. I got Lizzie’s hat made in St John’s and I have made the others myself, a mournful task it is. two or three of my friends came in and helped me sew, the girls have the housework to do, they help sew all the time they have. May, Alice and Amy go to school now. I only stayed one day in St John. the next morning early I left in the steamer for home. got home at noon, the girls had done a large washing, finished scrubbing and cooked a dinner of meat and vegetables and nicely cooked. the boys had blackberries picked for me. Sept 10th My Father has been dangerously ill for about six weeks. he is better now but extremely weak. I went out to see him the other day and was quite shocked to see how much he has altered, so thin and weak. his complaint was dysentry with inflammation. the Doctor saw him twice a day for two weeks. I am so thankful he is better, Mother is nearly worn out with nursing. I suppose you saw the account of the wreck in the Mercury, the same and only account was in our papers – a friend lent us the paper with it in. I am thinking of getting some person to take the farm at Marshall Town and give me half of what can be raised. the whole farm wants new fencing and my Father thinks it will be best to put some steady person on it. there are all sorts of farming tools and plenty of manure to commence with and the land in a good state. Tomy and Johny often go out holidays but they say everything reminds them of Papa, all his things packed away with his own hands, tool chests etc of which he took the keys, the young orchard on Teaberry Hill is looking well. The freight of the Wealth of Nations was not insured consequently a loss. I feel deeply with you in the loss of a Son so dearly loved – everything seems changed to me now. The “Cosmopolis” sailed for Liverpool on the 1st of this month (Sept.) I think and Mr Turnbull sent two hearth rugs on board for me addressed to Ben, the largest one is for you & the other for Elizabeth and when or if Sarah goes to housekeeping again will you be kind enough to give her the first one sent. I hope you will like them. please ask Ben if he will enquire of W & R.Wright of Liverpool when the vessel is supposed due. with best love to Grandpa & all the family Believe me
Your affectionate daughter
Amaret Waters