January 3, 1820 – Yesterday, “The Holy Rest,” was in the morning somewhat disturbed by the catching of a large turtle, for which purpose it was necessary for the ship’s company to let down a boat and spend considerable time The afternoon was pleasant. We had service on deck where a New Year’s sermon was delivered by Brother Bingham from Luke 4, 19, “To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” After an introduction and an explanation of the text, he endeavored to show that by a due regard to our sins. our mercies, our engagements and our instructions of the past year, we might reasonably expect the New Year would be to us and to those with whom we may have intercourse, an acceptable year of the Lord. Mrs. C. is threatened with a fever.
This evening we have attempted to join with the Christian world in the great monthly concert of prayer for the prosperity of Zion, and the salvation of the Heathen. A letter dated in Boston and signed A.G. containing an earnest request for our prayers in behalf of the writer when we should be far from her, also the farewell letter of Brother Cornelius to the mission, were read and made the foundation of some remarks with respect to the feeling which our American friends cherish towards us, and to our correspondent duties. (Thaddeus Journal)

3. – We are now going at the rate of 200 miles a day cords that point of terror Cape Horn. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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January 4, 1820 – Off the mouth of the Rio De La Plate. – We are this morning experiencing a gale from the north. The violence of the wind has split several of the sails. We are now running under bare poles at the rate of 7 or 8 miles an hour. We reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man. The tossing mountains around us skip like rams, and the hills like lambs. The foaming surges lash the trembling sides of our little bark and drench her decks; while the rain like hail pelts the poor sailors as they cling to the whistling rigging and the spray of the sea sweeps over the surface like the driven snow on a northern winter’s day. But he who said to the raging tempest, “Peace be still,” can and does afford us protection, and give us peace within. (Thaddeus Journal)

Jan. 4th, The last, a night of tossing—awakened by the cry, between four and five this morning, “all hands on decks” a strong gale having arisen suddenly.
The motion of the vessel was very great, few things keeping their position. We assembled as usual for morning prayers—read the 124 and 125 Psalms—sung three verses of Watt’s version of the former, soon after went to breakfast. Here, to a land spectator, methinks the scene would have been truly novel and amusing—in the midst of commotion he must have smiled, A view of a very different kind which presented itself, when, not long after, we looked out upon deck, was indeed, beyond my power to describe. Wave dashing upon wave, our little bark, dismantled of its noble sails, ascending one, and descending another? with its naked masts, riding at the rate of seven miles an hour. This is considered hut a sketch of the scenes we must expect to witness at the Cape.
But it was nobly grand I We are now a few degrees east of the mouth of that majestic river the Rio-de-la-Plata, fast approaching those tempestuous regions, so often the subject of conversation with us; Yet, there we shall be safe, attended by that GOD “who rules on high— And thunders when he please,—Who rides upon the stormy sky—And manages the seas.” What need we farther anxiety about the event, than to see to it, that we have grace to enable us to say, in the trying moment, if it arrives, “This awful GOD is ours, He shall send down his heavenly powers, Our father and our love, To carry us above.” (Sybil Bingham)

4. – I arose this morning somewhat apprehensive that the weather was not so pleasant as common. Going on deck I found the waves going over the ship & flying in every direction; very similar to what I have seen in a snow squall. I soon found it best to retire to my cabin which is my asylum in all times of trouble. This, though the most violent gale I have witnessed, the sailors tell us it is but a trifle compared with what we shall see in a few days. Several land visitors came on board who had been driven off the coast of Patagonia; such as butterflies, spindles &c. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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January 5, 1820 – Last evening as we were retiring from prayers in the cabin, a tremendous sea broke over the stern of the vessel. It disengaged a large coop filled with vegetables and bottles carrying it over the tiller or helm with such force as to beat off the boards from the opposite side of the Brig, and the next moment sending it back to the side from which it was first taken. By the same sea Capt. Blanchard was almost instantaneously dashed twice across the quarter deck from side to side with considerable bruising and with manifest danger of being carried overboard. Capt. Chamberlain had nearly reached the top of the stairs, and Mrs. Bingham who stood at the bottom, about to go on deck, both received a pretty heavy shock and showering from the torrent which poured down the companion way. But the glorious and omnipotent arm of our Savior afforded kind and seasonable protection. May our hearts be filled with adoring and unceacing gratitude to him,
“Who rides upon the stormy skies
and manages the seas.” (Thaddeus Journal)

5. – The gale still continues. The last 24 hours have indeed been a dreadful time. Last evening Captain B. and several others were knocked down by a wave which broke over the ship. Their lives were in danger as the water burst off the quarter boards & wash them near to the opening. The water came rushing down the companion-way into my cabin, so that it was with difficulty that I kept myself and Mrs. Whitney from a severe drenching. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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January 6, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Jan. 6th. Thursday morn. The sea remains tempestuous—the wind strong and violent and directly ahead.
We reel to and fro, and are weary with our tossing.
For the last twenty four hours we have made no advance, but a retrograde step. As we were leaving the cabin, Tuesday evening, from prayers, a heavy sea broke over deck, threatening destruction before it. It took from their place several heavy things, tossing them about like little toya—dashing off a large space of the boards upon the side of the deck. Capt. B— was swept by it in various directions, not knowing, as he afterwards said, what prevented his being washed overboard— passengers he thought would have stood little chance. Providentially none were up, tho near it; one or two having ascended the stairs of the companion way. I, returning from prayers, stood at the foot, thinking I must ascend for a breath of air. Suddenly the water came rushing, in such a tremendous torrent, as to drench me as completely as if plunged in the sea. Under these circumstances we went to our berths, feeling there was a peculiar uncertainty as to our state when the morning light should appear. But our Heavenly Watchman, our Divine Pilot brought us safely through. The morning dawned, finding us still in safety; and in the midst of mountainous waves we have been preserved still another day and another night. This morning, I ventured again at an attempt upon deck, to behold the sublime scene;
Mr. B—, before I went out, having been up to the round- top to take a more extended view. I had looked about— put a little water upon my hands and face, when again, another wave drenched me as before. It was much less than the other, but I was just in the way of it.
Evening. Peel, to-night, truly like a pilgrim and stranger,—as if I had no abiding place. All the objects my heart so lately loved, far, far away. Amidst all, the flesh fainteth, O, my Gracious Redeemer, how do I need thy kind support ! I know that thou art infinitely more than friends or country—let my restless heart rest in Thee.
9 o’clock. GOD does allow me comforts, many tender and precious comforts. Still, I am continually forfeiting all. O, that I were constrained by them, in the hour of sadness, not to repine! I have felt my sorrows soothed, my troubled mind composed, by the seasonable tenderness of my dear husband. O, may I watch to cheer and encourage him, on his way, not often requiring his energies to rouse mine, his spirits to support mine; since, to aid him who hopes to be more directly employed in our Master’s vineyard, is the way in which I can, at present, most rationally expect to be the honored instrument of good. Thanks for that divine support which I trust I have hitherto experienced. May I be led by it to trust for the time which is to come. (Sybil Bingham)

Jan. 6. A gale of wind from the SW has driven us several leagues out of our course, towards the Cape of Good Hope. This gale has been the most severe which we have experienced. It is three days since it commenced. You can hardly conceive of the sublimity of the scene. The water rolling into heaps like mountains; waves dashing one against another, and sometimes against the vessel with a great violence; while our floating habitation has rolled and tossed with incessant motion. Capt Blanchard and several of his men, were knocked down by a wave which came over the vessel, and burst off several of the boards on quarter deck. The water came rushing down the companion way, so that our little room which was near was very wet. Owing to the good providence of God no lives were lost. The tempestuous wind begins to subside, and I trust we feel truly grateful for preserving mercies. (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

6. – Old ocean seems to be moved from his lowest bottom; but the promise ‘Lo I am with you’ cheers my drooping spirits. As we have not been able to carry sail for the last 12 hours, our vessel has been left to the mercy of the winds & waves. I should have said at the mercy of God for surely the elements are under his control. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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January 7, 1820 – no entry. (Thaddeus Journal)

Jan. 7th, 1820. After four or five days of heavy weather that “split the fore and main topsails,” a “heavy sea over the quarter, which started the hen-coops and stove out one length of quarter boards” and injured the whale-boat. (James Hunnewell)

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