March 9, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

March 9th. Crossed the equator this afternoon for the last time; have been becalmed several days which in this region renders our situation uncomfortable. We suffer much from the heat are obliged sometimes to arise in the night and use our fans to prevent suffocation from the stagnated air in our rooms. We hope for a breeze soon, if we should not be favoured with one, we fear that some of us must fall a prey to disease. Our Father knows our wants and will take care of us. In all our little trials we cast not one look behind to wish ourselves back in our country, but feel happy in the prospect of soon reaching the Isle of our destination and imparting the rich treasures of the Gospel to those degraded idolaters for whom Christ died, and to whom he has never been named. (Samuel & Nancy Ruggles)

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March 10, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

10th. Caught a shark, and two Boneters, beautiful purple fish about the size, of a shad. (Samuel Ruggles)

March 10. – Today we crossed the Equator. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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March 11, 1820 – Lat. North 2° Long. West 115°. Again we have entered our own hemisphere. We have this day special occasion to acknowledge the kind providence of God. About one o’clock P.M. there was a calm and several of the brethren, and some others, having been denied the privilege many weeks, allowed themselves to enjoy the pleasant and healthful exercise of bathing in the Ocean. Not long after they were safely out, while one of the sailors was employed in painting the bowsprit, with his feet in the water, a common sized shark was seen to approach him. Had he not been seasonably warned to avoid the monster, he might have lost a limb, if not his life. The shark then played or rather raved around the brig with the boldness and fierceness of a hungry tiger. By the dexterity of George P. Tamoree and one of the mates a snare was fixed upon him. Then flouncing like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke he seized, with violence the end of a strong pole and tho it broke many of his pointed teeth he held fast until by the pole and ropes he was drawn on board. The mingled emotions of our company, arising from a sense of danger escaped by the gracious interposition of our divine and strong deliverer, evinced by tears and congratulations, cannot easily by described. On opening the shark, there were found a porcupine fish and a large beef bone which had been thrown overboard by the cook at the time the brethren were bathing, so that he could not have been far distant at that time. But while we acknowledge this deliverance from unknown and unexpected danger, we regard it as an admonition to be always watchful and guarded when surrounded with dangers and enemies, and as a kind intimation that the same hand that shut the mouth of this Lion will also shut the mouth of the roaring Lion and so far as his cause requires it will mercyfully deliver us from the power of ungodly men and all that rise up against us. (Thaddeus Journal)

March 11, Lat. 4° S. A calm of 6 or 7 days has detained us here in the most sultry region of the globe, where the hot and scorching rays of the sun are almost insupportable. We hoped to be at or near Owhyhee before this time. but the Lord would have it otherwise. and for wise reasons, no doubt; perhaps it is to try our patience and prepare us for future trials. During the calm we caught 2 Sharks. and a Boneator [bonito]. the latter of which made us an excellent dinner. A distinguishing interposition of Providence relating to the catching of the first Shark. I cannot fail to notice.
On the afternoon of Saturday 11th, 6 of our Missionary Gents went into the sea to bathe. They remained 15 or 20 minutes in the water, swimming about the vessel, heedless of danger – but they had not been out of the water long before George Termmoner discovered a large Shark close under the bow of the ship; which had no doubt been playing around the ship, seeking for prey while the men were in the water.
On being caught (for the ship’s company were so fortunate as to catch the Monster) it was found to be the blue Shark, a real Man-eater, 10ft. long, and a mouth sufficiently large to take in a man’s leg or head. Within him, was found a beef bone which the cook had flung overboard just before the men went in, and a porcupine fish which was an object of great curiosity.
This merciful preservation of the lives of our brethren. Was not passed unnoticed; and while we reflect that it was God who shut the mouth of the fish, may we not hope that it is an earnest of his further deliverance from the power of the enemy. (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

11th. Extremely hot, seems sometimes as if we should, melt. Caught a shark measuring 10 feet in length. (Samuel Ruggles)

March 11.-This afternoon, as the vessel lay becalmed, one of the officers, Mr. Bingham, Mr. Thurston, and two of the native youths went into the water to bathe. Only one hour after they came out, a shark was caught. When first observed it was approaching a sailor who was painting the outside of the vessel, his feet hanging down in the water. He was ignorant of his danger, until he received the alarm from one of our family. When caught, it seized hold of a hard’ stick of wood so violently as to break out several of its teeth, and continuing its grasp, by this means suffered itself in part to be drawn up into the vessel. A large bone was found in its stomach, thrown overboard at the time our friends were in the water. Its extended
jaws, sufficient to embrace a man’s head, are now hanging up in a conspicuous place. How it makes the blood thrill through my veins when I think of the danger to which our friends were exposed! But as a matter of encouragement, amid all the perils which may await us in a savage land, may it strengthen my faith and confidence in Him who has this clay been their preserver. (Lucy Goodale Thurston)

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March 12, 1820 – Lord’s Day. – Held our meeting below. When the hand bell rung for public service on deck, a sudden change of wind and a shower prevented it, so that we repaired to the cabin and enjoyed a favored season where we believe the giver and hearer of prayer has often been present.
The voice of opposition today, tho’ painful, gives us cheering evidence that the spirit of God has begun a good work which we devoutly hope and pray may be carried on in the case of the affair before mentioned. We occasion to rejoice in the assurance that the wrath of men shall be made to praise our God and that the remainder he will restrain. How weak and insignificant are honor, wisdom and power when opposed to the allwise and omnipotent Jehovah. (Thaddeus Journal)

12th. Still very hot but are all contented and happy. (Samuel Ruggles)

12. – It been calm today brothers B & T with several of our company went into the water to bathe. They had but just entered the ship again when a large shark was seen plying around the vessel. It was caught, and on being opened a large bone was found which was thrown overboard at the very time when our friends were bathing. Had they continued in the water a few minutes longer there is little doubt but that some of them would have lost their lives. I should have been in the company had it not been for sporting with the feelings of one I love. – (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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March 13, 1820 – The heat is more oppressive in passing the Equatorial regions than it was in the Atlantic. We have had the sun more nearly vertical for a greater number of days. Yesterday the mercury stood at 84° below deck, and at 124° in the sun.
Today another shark has been caught with a hook, and a second this evening seized and held for some time but at length escaped. So the quickened sinner sometimes breakes away at the moment when he seem to be fastened by the truth and almost drawn into the kingdom of Christ. (Thaddeus Journal)

March 13th, We find the weather truly uncomfortable, this time passing the Equator. The winds became very light between two and three degrees before we reached the Line, and have so continued, bringing us to about the same distance north. You can hardly realize the exhaustion which is felt nights, from want of air, in our confined rooms, with narrow bertha. We cannot open windows and shut window blinds, I wake sometimes and feel that it is with difficulty I can breathe at all. Yet GOD is good to us,—strikingly so. This is the tenth day we have been in this region but just moving, still the health of all is preserved—no one is on a couch of sickness, neither are we experiencing such a calm as many have. We have each day made some progress. In the midst of all the languor, we have been sometimes, within a few days, animated with the hope that we are to experience the breath of the spirit. There is reason to believe the enquiry, “what shall I do to be saved?” has seized the minds of one of the Officers—one too whose profaneness, when passion made him forget the gentleman, has pained us. Satan is alarmed, for his agents ply assiduously the weapon ridicule, lest the poor captive should escape the snare. 0, with what a load of guilt will those go down to woe who have held others in their chains! Precious truth I Christ is stronger than the strong man armed—his almighty Arm shall bring forth the captives He has purposed to redeem. Mr. B— was prepared to address them yesterday, sabbath,— his subject such as I hoped would carry conviction with it. But Divine Providence did not permit. The bell rang, but sudden clouds, with rain, soon put the seamen in motion and sent us below. We had a favored season in the cabin, and tho we could not use direct means for the benefit of these poor souls, I think GOD gave us his Spirit to intercede in their behalf.- – – A circumstance, on Saturday, of interest, which I must mention. The ocean was very calm, and sea-bathing, in this sultry region, was thought so conducive to health, as to induce a few to venture in, notwithstanding the possibility of meeting with monsters of the Deep. Mr. B— was one. He had tried it in the Atlantic. I had always trembled, yet avoided manifesting feminine fears. Judge then what were my feelings, when, but little more than an hour after, while in conversation with my dear friends, congratulating myself that bathing was over, the cry was, a shark.
The horrid monster came along side and was soon hauled on deck. He was of the true voracious kind. His frightful jaws struck terror, while my heart melted in view of GOD’s preserving mercy. In his intestines were found a Variety, taken in whole. 0, may I have in remembrance this providential escape! How my heart might have been wrung with anguish! Another shark was caught to-day, but escaped again. (Sybil Bingham)

March 13. 2 deg 40 m N Lat. The weather continues extremely warm. For 8 or 10 days past we have had but a very light breeze. Some of the time we have sailed 2 or 3 miles an hour, and then again, the vessel has moved but little more than to rock from side to side. The heat is somewhat oppressive. A shark was caught day before yesterday, and another today. The only two taken on the passage. As you requested me to be particular in mentioning every circumstance as it occurred, I have endeavored to comply with your request. I have noted down many things which, to a stranger, might appear too trivial to be named, but I Trust they will be read by you with a degree of interest. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

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