Diary by THOMAS RUNDELL (1824-1884) of St. Eval, Cornwall.
Who in 1848 sailed on the Barque Clio. *** A short account of our voyage from Padstow, England, to Platteville, Wisconsin. (Please ask permission before copying) © Phil Ellery 2000
We went on board the ship, Clio, at Padstow on the 3rd of April, 1848. Mr. EASTHOPE, Commander, Mr. FILP, Chief-mate, Mr. Henry TOM, Second-mate, Mr. YOUNG, Doctor, with a crew of seventeen men, 229 adults, 55 children, 284 in all. We were detained until the 15th on account of our provisions not being sent in proper season. The fare included one pound of breadstuffs per day. The doctor's bill was three pounds, sixteen shillings, per head.
April
9 Mr. TREGASKA preached on board from the words, "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths." The Lord was present to bless his people.
14 Today we towed the ship by a rope out to cove.
15 We set sail at 11 o'clock, the wind blowing strong from the south. Lost sight of land quarter past two. By three the greater part of the passengers were sick. 4 o'clock we went to bed, we had no supper that night.
16 Sunday, very dull day, not many passengers on deck. No meeting.
18 Wind blowing strong from the northwest. Heaved to in the evening, but was carried back twenty miles in four hours.
19 Fine day. Saw three vessels very near us in the evening. Saw several fish jump like great dogs.
20 Fine day. Saw a piece of wood floating.
21 Good Friday. Wind fair. Preaching on deck, thank God we had a good time. His presence makes our paradise and "Where he is, is heaven."
22 Saw several porpoises.
24 Saw a large fish, the size of a large bull.
25 Saw a large grampus, the size of a hogshead.
May
3 Saw a flock of birds.
4 Weather fine. Several gallons of cider stolen from a passenger.
7 Two and one half hours preaching (Sunday). Several small fish jumping like rabbits.
8 Fine day. There are four ships sailing by our side.
10 Wind southeast. Sailing eight miles an hour. Birds are plentiful.
11 We had a rough night. The ship rolled tremendously and we got on the banks of Newfoundland.
12 Very foggy and we were obliged to blow the fog horn.
13 Very foggy. Saw several fishing boats.
14 Very wet day. Almost ran against a small boat.
15 Clear weather. We are now eighty miles from Newfoundland.
16 Very cold weather.
17 Saw Land at five o'clock in the morning. A sailor caught a bird. We are now in the mouth of the Gulf (of St. Lawrence). Saw several whales.
19 Head wind. We are now near St. Paul's Island. It is fifteen miles between St. Paul's and Cape North. We can see houses on the Cape Coast.
20 Close to Bird's Island. A great many birds.
21 We are now in sight of Anti Costa and Canada
22 Fine weather. We are now 300 miles from Quebec. We have a fine view of the coast. There is snow on it.
23 Saw mountains on our left. 397 ft, and 3600 ft. high. The pilot came on board (the river pilot). We saw large a whale.
24 Saw a town containing 1500 inhabitants. We overtook a French passenger vessel.
25 Got to the quarintine ground, a very pretty place.
26 Left at 10 o'clock and got to Quebec at 1 o'clock. It is a fine town, high stone houses, stone walls, roofs covered with tin. We had a pleasant voyage, no frightful storms, not any icebergs. All passengers arrived in good health. Thank God for bringing us safely across the Atlantic, being five weeks and five days on the water (Mrs. Emma RUNDELL was taken off at the quarantine ground. She was emaciated but not sick. She and another woman made their escape.
27 Put our things aboard the Queen, a steamboat. It is the finest boat I ever saw. Paid out fare for Montreal. Left Quebec at seven in the evening.
28 It is fine weather. The scenery on each side of this river is beautiful. The tall young trees on each, shooting forth their leaves in grandeur. The cattle feeding on the rich pastures. The river and the land just level and large rafts of timber carried grandly down the stream.. Arrived at Montreal at 3 (in the afternoon) At 4 went ashore and found F. TURNER's House. He kept and English house. Here we had 3 pints of cider, 4 basins of tea, 1/2 pound of butter, and a large loaf of bread for 2 shillings, 6 pence each for our beds, good accomodations. This is a pretty good town, well laid off grand houses, good streets, well lighted with gas.
29 Paid our fare for Kingston. First, we were taken 9 miles by rail to Lachine. The land here is not so good as it is back farther. Went on board another steamboat. Soon got into upper Canada, good land here, large fields, fine orchards, flourishing trees.
30 Arrived at Kingston at 4. Did not see much of this town here. We paid our fare to Buffalo. Went on board another steamer, started at 5 in the evening.
31 Arrived at Oswego at 3 A.M. This city in New york State. here we found another English House. Got a good breakfast cheap. It is a fine country here. Left at 9. We are crossing Lake Ontario. Stopped at Rochester. Arrived at Lewistown at 5 A.M.
June
1 Here we had our baggage carried up over the hill in a wagon. Then for three miles we were drawn by horses over a railroad. Land light here. We went into the railroad carriages and started at 12 o'clock. Arrived at the Niagra Falls at 1 o'clock. Took dinner by the side of the splendid falls. Started at 2 o'clock and arrived at Buffalo at 4. Took our things to an Englishman's house, Mr. Well's Hotel. Here we 2 paid our fare to Milwaukee. We went aboard the Baltic.Left Bauffalo at 7 in the evening. This is a large town. Good place for business.
3 We are now crossing Lake Erie. Stopped at Cleveland. Small town. Dirty streets.
4 Sunday. Now we are in Lake Huron. Foggy. We can hardly see land.
5 This is a large lake. The wind is blowing strong. It seems as though we are in the ocean. Now we are in Lake Michigan.
6 We are in our long looked for and much desired state, Wisconsin. It is better land here than it was farther back. It is a red soil, trees are small, so some pretty places near the lake. Arrived at 6 o'clock. This is a thriving town.
7 We are now 180 miles from Platteville. Here the wagoner charged $20 for 20 hundred weight, either passengers or luggage to carry it to Mineral Point. Engaged a teamster to take us to Mineral Point. Started at 10 o'clock. Traveled 29 miles. Stopped at a tavern. They charged us 50c a head for supper, bed, and breakfast.
8 Started at 6. Passed some very good land today.
9 It is tiresome to travel on a wagon. Weather hot and dry.
10 We are now crossing some beautiful prairie land. I did not expect to see so much good land free from trees.
11 Slept seven miles from Mineral Point. Arrived at Mineral Point at 9 o'clock. Agreed with the same teamsters to take us to Platteville. It is beautiful land between. Arrived at Platteville exactly when they were coming out of the chapel (Primitive Methodist on Second Street.) Met with Stephen and Eliza (CARHART) here and went home with them. Glad we met with relatives and friends in a foreign land.
***
Thus ended our journey making eight weeks and two days.
Thank God for a safe voyage.
Date 1848
Signed-- Thomas Rundell
Thomas RUNDELL married Emma FOXEN. He died in December 1884 and is buried at Platteville, Wisconsin . USA. See the diary of Thomas's brother-----Richard RUNDELL Back to Diary page