Rotterdam
1894
Thursday Sep 13th

We spent the day waking [sic] around went to Steamer Office and found several letters from home. This made me more anxious to start. This morning father sent check to Berlin to Ette & Miechke & Co for goods bought.

Rotterdam
Friday Sep 14th
1894

We spent the day getting our baggage ready and buying blankets and chairs and many little things we needed for our voyage. After this we went to Steamer Office and found a letter from Minnie and one from Franz written on 1st Sep & 31 Aug. They were bright and made us feel more than ever like getting home. We were glad that this was our last night in Rotterdam.

Rotterdam
Sat. Sep 15th

We went to steamer by 12 oclock and were busy getting our baggage repacked until half past one when we sailed. It was exciting in harbor as a steamer full of soldiers left same time for "West Indies".

We had only 26 passengers so I could have my same cabin again alone. The French lady and Husband with baby are on again, also three other people who came over with us. We had dinner at six oclock and were very hungry as we had nothing since morning.

Letter Home:

Grand Hotel Coomans, Rotterdam, Sep 15th 1894

My dear Lulie;

I have just written to Franz. We sail at 12 oclock or halfpast so thought I would write once more from Rotterdam. Well write again when we reach N.Y. I cant become reconciled to your not coming home. I still believe you will. We got nice letters from Franz & Minnie again yesterday. I am glad Minnie has come home to dear Little Hunter & Anton for I do know they were lonely. Minnie said Genie would be over in a few days and stay with her until we return, now isn't that nice, she is certainly a very dear Sister Creature. I love her like a sister. She always feels like a sister. I am so glad we are going home that it is hard to wait until twelve. We have been here since Tuesday and have seen everything. We havn't [sic] bought many things over here as it is so troublesome to get through. In Berlin it is tempting to spend money as things are much cheaper than any-where in the world I reckon. But the trouble to carry or send things makes up for price and I would rather buy in N.Y. I have just received a postal from Mr. Peters saying goodbye and sending much love to each one at home. He was so kind to us that I love to think of him & his wife. Our trip all the way through has been delightful, so many friends and all so kind. Now I expect to enjoy meeting new friends on trip home and seeing some of same that came over with us. I enjoy everything. Father seems to dread being sick but I don't believe he will as he had such a good time coming over. Now with much love from both of us I am

Your devoted
Sister Bertha

Sunday Sep 16th
1894

We spent such a quiet day had no service so there was nothing to remind one that it was Sunday. Land was in sight all day as we were in the English Channel. With a glass you could see the fields of England. The fare on boat is as good as before so we enjoy our meals. The dinner at six oclock was especially nice. The moon was full so we enjoyed looking at it until ten oclock when we retired.

1894
Monday Sep 17th

Second day sailing. Are now on ocean, passed Scilly Islands at four this morning, so left the English channel. Just passed the Vcendam a steamer of this line on way to Holland. It is about four oclock no one is sick yet not even father.

Tuesday Sep 18th

It was very rough. Nearly every one was seasick. Father was very sick all day. We made 283 mi It was dreadful to see the poor stearage [sic] passengers lying around so sick with no comforts. I was not sick so could help take care of others. Nothing of interest passed. We have only 26 passengers so all is quiet. The Dr. Porter is from Farmville Va. Mr. & Mrs. Hahr are from Richmond Va. Only these two are from Va.

1894
Wed. Sep 19th

Weather was moderate the boat didn't rock as much as day before. I was glad to have some work with me as time being heavy (?). We made 283 miles. Father was not as sick as yesterday but was glad to be in his chair.

1894
Thursday Sep 20th

It was calm, but cool. I stayed in saloon all day and worked on my sacque, nearly finished it. Little Alesandria Bjerring was interested too to see if my worsted would hold out. I learned a pretty pattern of edge from one of the passengers. In the evening I helped mind the baby as its mother was sick. Father spent most of the day in his chair. I was up until ten reading. Then retired and slept better than any night before.

Friday. Sep 21st
1894

This is the roughest day we have had. Only a few were at breakfast. I too felt a touch of sickness but it soon passed away. The boat rocked so that our chairs had to be strapped down so as not to turnover. Many people were very sick all day. Father was sick in morning but it didn't miss being at the table; better in the evening. We made 290 mi. After 12 it was a little calmer and the sun came out. It is now 3½ oclock.

Saturday Sep 22nd
1894

Until twelve oclock the sea was rough and the wind high. I spent the day in saloon crocheting. Father was not sick but had headache and didn't feel good. At night we had some music

1894
Sep. 23rd Sunday

The sea was smoothe [sic] but a dense fog made it unpleasant as the fog-horn had to blow every 3 minutes. Just at sunset the fog lifted in a moment all was gone and the sunlight on the water was grand. The Captain had to be up on bridge night & day as these fogs are so dangerous for running into ships. He cant even come to meals. A life-boat is kept ready in these fogs. There are eight on this vessel. No service again. Retired at nine.

1894
Sep 24th Monday

I was busy crocheting all day. The fog-horn blew for ½ da. The Captain wasn't at dinner. It was nice to see the sailors at work cleaning & washing every part of vessel. There are 80 sailors and with other officers & stewards there are 120 men in crew. My cabin is no 30-31-32. I am alone. We made 293 mi today best record yet. Our dinner was nice as usual. After this we had a game of quarter, all enjoyed it. At ten I retired. Father had a well day but was tired of boat.

Tuesday
Sep. 25th 1894

The weather was lovely except windy. We made 285 mi, never make as good time when foggy. I finished my crocheting. All we talk about is landing think Wed. night will land. Every-one is anxious to get home. It was nice to see the pilot get on at 4½ oclock. Our boat signaled for him. Then a dove came and flew about on deck and reminded us of Noah's dove, for we knew land was near. At night we played games until ten. then [sic] retired.

1894
Wed. Sep 26th

(No entry made.)

Note: The remainder of this diary (notebook) is just that, notes. Four pages of ‘field notes'.

Letter Home:

(On board the S.S. Werkendam)
Sep. 26th 1894

My dear Brother & all;

We can now see land after a pleasant voyage of eleven days, so I thought it would be nice to have a letter ready to mail in the morning when we land. We havn't [sic] had as pleasant company as we had going over but the days have been passed pleasantly. Father was a little sick for two days and very sick one day when it was quite rough. All enjoyed seeing the pilot get on yesterday at half past four. It was exciting to see him leave his little pilot boat in a small row boat, after our vessel signaled that we hadn't a pilot. Every-one flocked to side where the rope ladder was put over and it was nice to see him grab hold of it and in a minute had climbed into our vessel. Our voyage had been without any excitement so we enjoyed this. He had papers from N.Y. they said though he left 2 weeks ago and since had been in wait for vessels. It was amusing to hear the people talk. Every-body is full of life tonight, so delighted to know we'll land in morning. We have promised to see several people in N.Y. for friends in Europe so hope to do this Thursday if we land in time, if not Friday. We leave for home Saturday morning as we want to travel in day this time. We intend telegraphing when we land so when this letter reaches you, you will know more than I do at this minute. I am so sorry we have to stop in N.Y. for I cant write how anxious I am to get home. Father is so delighted to think he will soon be in America and I'm sure he wont want to go across the ocean again, though he is so happy that he has been, for he always felt it a duty. Much love to each one. Kiss Hunter.

Your devoted
Sister Bertha

Seven oclock Thursday morn. We are really in harbor now. After we eat breakfast on boat, then we will have our baggage go through Custom house, then we will start our on our missions of friendship. We want to see aunt Mamie & Mrs. Jones too so I dont think we can come before Saturday. We are now in Naegels Hotel as happy as big sun flowers. Got your letter at steamer office, was glad to hear from home. Hope poor little Jennie is dead as we always felt uneasy about her. Father is glad too. I cant say if we can come _______. We are going to see aunt Mamie's people now.

Footnote:
This transcription was made from xerox copies of the original documents on file in the Valentine Museum in Richmond, VA. Some of the problems of transcription were related to the quality of these copies and the inability of the transcriber to review the original when questions arose. However, the small errors from the original do not detract from the historical value of these papers. It is my hope that this transcription will be enjoyed by those who take the time to read them.

Ben N. Benson, M.D.
Transcription completed 18 July 1999