Voices from the Past

Daughter-in-law (and heart) Colleen and I share a love of old diaries....voices from the past, if you will. That same love is what has led me to collect old post cards - the ones I love the best are those postally used - written on. I have a small leather ("Genuine Morocco Leather lined") notebook - the first page of which is written upon by hand

"Dear Mr. Robinson, I do hope this partial reprint of your diary will enable you to renew memories of your voyage to America in 1888." It is signed "(A.L.)

I don't know the identity of Mr. Robinson or A. L. But I do find the running diary of Mr. Robinson's travel to America interesting. Some reader might, as well.

"Sailed from Mov. abt four o'clock, April on 27 An. 88. Nice fresh blowing breeze; very calm sea.

• 28th Saturday 185 miles


• 29th Sab. 168 miles rough


• 30th Mon. 289 miles


• 1st Tues. 265 "


• 2nd Wed. 258 "


• 3rd Thurs. 312 "


• 4th Fri. 264"


• 5th Sat. 222 "


• 6th Sab 219 "


• 7th Mon. 275 "


• 8th Tues 293 "


• = 2750

Friday left Derry ab't 12 in tender for Moville; Water very smooth - scarcely a shake - musick and dancing on board. Couldn't say exactly what time we got up along side the vessel. The tender just drew right along side of ship and then they tied them together and put a plank bridge across between them for passengers to cross and to haul luggage over; then when we got off and got down to choose our bunks as they are called and put our beds in them and I left D. in charge of them and then went up to look ab't our hamper and as soon as I got it took it down to our (space here apparently the word was not legible to the transcriber.) and got it opened up and had some oaten cake and butter and after a bit we wondered what kind of noise it was we heard going on and we could scarecely be sure whether she was started or not, but she was shortening the wag and you may be sure it was pretty smooth. When it was questionable whether she had commenced her voyage or not, she started at a quarter to 4. So after a bit we got up to deck and it was a very smooth sea and a splendid evening and the passengers all seemed to be enjoying themselves -- some fiddling, others dancing, and others just looking on but a very short time put all enjoyment aside for D and me (and a good mor also) we both got sick just together about 6 o'clock. Stayed up on deck till near dark - were better there than in our beds, as we got the fresh air around us. Went to bed pretty early and slept fairly well not withstanding the rocking. But Saturday was a pretty rough day and our sea sick staid with us. It was so rough that passengers could only go out a very short time now and again. We were ---- ab’t any food and didn’t try any of their --- that day; got some water and used a little brandy in it. It took that to purify it. I went up to deck about 6 o’clock and staid there till seven when I went down to the Dr’s room, and when I rapped at his door there was no response so I opened it and went in and there wasn’t anyone in it, so as there was a very comfortable looking couch in it covered with crimson velvet I just thought I’d make myself comfortable in it and sat down ----(before I go any further I might say that there was a man came into the Dr’s room and laid off his complaints to me, but I couldn’t do anything for him – just told him Dr. not in. Save that, I had the room to myself all the rest of the time) and he said he was likely in his room, but I knew otherwise; then I got a drink of water from him and went up and got the Dr. in the pursers and he came in to his room with me and gave me some powder to take in water every three hours for D. and me. So I went to bed immediately after that and both of us slept pretty well till morning. Then Sab. was another pretty rough day and we kept in bed most of day. Monday a nice calm day. Kept on deck most of day. Tipped the steward and got a good dinner. Tuesday a very rough day; passengers kept down from going to the deck in the morning, was so rough. Wed. weather fine; nice smooth sailing. D. tipped another steward and he gave us a tin of sardines, plum pudding and rice; had a very good supper. Thurs. fine morning; passed a sail vessel about nine o’clock or so and then a fog got on sea about ten. Kept blowing fog horn about every 2 minutes till about 12 when the fog cleared away. People all up on deck – a good many lying in corners playing cards – shortly after one got foggy again and kept so until about nine o’clock when it cleared off otherwise it was a very fine calm day. About ten o’clock a bolt broke in connection with the engine and the ship was brought to a stand still, but it was made all right and got her on her away again in about 10 minutes. In a corner down in the compartment they carried on signing musick and songs till one o’clock; we went to bed a good while before that and D. had a good sleep at that time, but I liked to keep awake till all settled down. Slept well; then to seeing about vaccination. Friday, 4th May – dull showery morning; cleared up about ten; fine bright sunny day. Breakfast – porridge, b and b, sausage, steak, and bacon. Dinner ---soup, b and b, steak and tongue. Tea – tea, b and b, cheese and steak. About five o’clock an old gentleman and about seven or eight ladies who were going to saloon came to deck among the passengers and had a number of ….. books and lent out the spare books they had to those who liked to join them in singing and sung for or five hymns and read a portion of Scripture and offered up prayer. Down in the compartment they continued their concert as they called it till eleven o’clock. Sat. May 5th After a good night’s sleep woke up this morning to a very rough sea; great waves meeting her and right ahead of her and dashing right over deck; had to keep in below most of the day. Breakfast --- b and b, st. and bacon. Dinner ---- soup, and b and b, roast meat. Tea ---- spr., b and b, cheese and a drink of ess. of p’mint. Got calm in the evening and staid up on deck till half past eleven. Sat.(Sun) 6 May Got up about eight o’clock very nice calm morning; sea very smooth. Up on deck most of forenoon, reading Testament and one of the books Professor gave to David. Spoke with a young man a gentleman who had the appearance of a minister. He conducted a short service on deck commencing about one. Sang a hymn, then a psalm, read a chapter, engaged in prayer and preached a short sermon from the words “What think ye of Christ?” then sang a hymn, engaged in prayer, sang a hymn and dismissed the meeting after pronouncing the benediction. Before breakfast got a drink of eggnog. Bfast – tea, b and b, sausages. Dinner bread pudding, fowl, and Gpie. Supper --- tea, b and b and cheese. Monday 7th May ’88 Very thick fog up to middle of day. Kept blowing horn. Cleared up about two o’clock. Splendid, bright clear aft. Service on deck in the evg. After eleven o’clock a vessel met us bringing pilot. When they came near each other they stopped and pilot was brought from the vessel in a small boat to this one. Then we got on our way again. David was up on deck and saw all but I was keeping watch. Breakfast – tea, bd, mince meat. Dinner – fresh pork bread and tea. Supper – cakes and cheese and preserved cherries that had been bottled and kept in their green state. Tuesday 8th May ’88 Nicest morning man could wish to see; sun rising in a beautiful blue sky in which there is not a cloud to be seen and the calmest sea one could possibly imagine. Not a ripple on the water save what’s made by the ship. Ship going very smoothly; kept fine all day. Fog got on sea at night and vessel had to stop till Wed. morn. Wednesday 9th May At ten a.m. when she got started and made into port about twelve; after getting luggage examined by customs office crossed to C. Gardens then went in eveng to Mr. Christies; spent a very pleasant evg there and staid over night in it. Thursday 10th May Staid in Mr. C’s till half past eleven; then went to Castle Gardens got our luggage sent to the ferry. Left there about half past four; then got started in train at 5:45 enjoyed the scenery from N. Y. to Phila. Very much. Arrived here about 8:20. Bob Crawford met us and took us to our lodge." There are more pages I will enter here describing his early experiences in Philadelphia. I hope you have enjoyed this missive from the past.