On Monday, June 3, the shipping company announced that all passengers were to be on board ship by 3 p. m., June 4; so, we planned our packing and buying accordingly. Around 11:45 a. m., June 4, while Dewitt and Brother Nicks were gone to the docks with a load of luggage and the rest of us were busy getting last-minute things tucked away in swags and suitcases, the telephone rang! It was Mr. Crayon, the shipping agent, informing us that all passengers were to be on board at 1 p. m, instead of 3 p. m. It would take pages to tell all the things that had to be seen to and wound up from 11:45 to 1o’clock.
By Brother Mullins’ sacrificing his all-around handy-bag, and Sister Mullins’ providing a paper shopping carton, we had a place for all the gifts sent in by members of the congregation at Seventh and Camp, and those given by the Mullins family. After eating a bite of lunch, and having prayer together, we made it to the docks in Brother Nick’s cab by 1 o’clock (right on the dot), where we found Mr. and Mrs. Craven, a friend of hers, Mrs. Miller and Maxine waiting for us beside the ship. In a few minutes, Brother Nicks had brought Brother and Sister Mullins and Beth (Bob’s wife) over and we all took pictures of one another.
They were allowed to come on board ship and to look around. We stood and talked until we were weary, then finally we went in and sat awhile in one of our three cabins. Each cabin has two bunks, a stationary table, two small closets, a wash basin and mirror, a fan, a comfortable chair, and a window-seat just under the port hole.
It was 3:45 when the gang plank was finally pulled up and our ship was pushed out into the Mississippi River by a “tub boat,” as Anna Marie called it.
Just as we were being slowly shoved away from the docks, the Craven girls came from school with some funny books for our children. Mr. Craven gave the books a throw and they barely did hit the deck. Our friends all stood and waved good-bye until we disappeared out of sight.
For an hour, we milled about, getting turned around and headed down the Mississippi. We passed dozens of idle ships, anchored on each side of the river, waiting for the scrap-yard.
The evening meal was served about 5:30, but, as we were all so tired and missed the enjoyable Christian association at the Mullins’ table where we had good food and wholesome fun for over three weeks, we did not eat very heartily.
June 5. We all went to bed around 9 o’clock last night, but kept waking up, so did not feel very rested this morning. Lay around most of the day, slept a little, read a little, and ate a little. Carolyn lost her breakfast and has not wanted any food the rest of the day,
Around 9:15 a. m., we left the muddy water of the Mississippi for the Gulf. As far as eye can see, a distinct line shows where the cocoa brown water of the river joins the blueish green of the Gulf. Surely the mighty power of our Creator shows forth in the marvelous wonders He hath made!
The ship is traveling around 15 knots an hour, and if all goes well, we will make it to Cape Town in three weeks. The food is good and they really believe in giving generous servings.
After the evening meal we all stood on deck, and, leaning against the rail, we watched the sun go down and the ship cutting through the waters. When we tired of this, we all assembled in one of our cabins to read the Scriptures and pray, before retiring for the night.
June 6. The weather warmed up in the night and has been hot all day, especially in the cabins. The only relief from the heat is to stay outside where there is no place to sit down, and one soon tires leaning against the rail. A strong wind is blowing against us, so when we go out on deck, we have to tie up our hair and hang onto our skirts.
Carolyn is still sick but feeling much better. The chief steward, who is a Filipino, loaned us his deck chair and we found a little corner out of the sun for her where she could have the fresh air. He brought her an apple and a pear.
Had boat drill today for the passengers — we really look stuffed in our life jackets. Anna Marie and I had a good nap this afternoon. After supper we watched the shore line of Cuba for a long time.
June 7. More heat—slept with the fan directly on us all night. Not much energy. Took a book and read a while after breakfast. The wind is still blowing hard against us. Noticed on the chart that we were travelling only 13 knots an hour. It is taking us longer to get out of the Gulf than I expected. Verna Mae and Robert do a lot of reading. Anna Marie has colored in a picture book and cut out paper dolls.
The crew has been tarring a lot of cables, and the heat and tar smell together are far from pleasant. The girls and I got out some embroidery work this evening but we did not accomplish much. We sang some hymns, had our Scripture reading and prayer, and retired.
June 8. The heat is still oppressive, plenty of wind yet and the waves are wearing longer white caps this morning. The boat is doing a slight roll also. After breakfast, we each ate a delicious praline which the Smith sisters sent with us from New Orleans.
We saw three islands and a school of porpoises today. Dewitt sunburned through his shirt just from the reflection of the sun on the water. Carolyn is getting a real tan, but Anna Marie is never still long enough to get burned.
June 9 — Our first Sunday on the boat. After breakfast we watched the rainbow in the spray, which called to our minds that beautiful hymn, “We shall know each other better when the mists have cleared away.”
We missed the association of the brethren at the communion service, but reaped a blessing, because we know that where two or three are gathered together, there the Lord is in the midst.
June 10. We are still bucking a stiff wind, and the heat and smells are still with us. Had our last fresh milk this morning — it will be condensed milk from now on. We saw a ship after supper which looked like it was headed for Trinidad. Have read some and tried to embroider, but got a headache, so quit and took a nap. Robert, Verna Mae and Carolyn have been playing Monopoly off and on all day. Dewitt is cleaning up his projector, and Anna Marie is washing her socks to pass time away.
June 11. Found a little nook for the deck chair, under one of the stairways. Just before lunch we passed between two islands of the West Indies, St. Lucia and Barbados. On account of the strong wind and stiff current the ship has been making only 13 knots. We have just come into the Atlantic today.
After supper Dewitt showed some of his pictures to the Captain and some of the other officers who could come in. There are four other passengers besides us — three men and one woman. They all seemed to enjoy the pictures and it helped us to get better acquainted.
June 12. Still stuffy and hot in the cabins. Got up feeling tired so just stretched out on my bunk and stayed there until lunch time. The crew was washing the decks, so we could not get out anyway. The children played games, and Dewitt read some and talked to some of the crew awhile.
Anna Marie is quite a favorite with the officers and crew. She comes in loaded down with candy bars, chewing gum and an occasional coke. The chief steward is always doing things to please her, she says, “I can play with him just like I did with Brother Mullins.”
June 13. Just another day, with the usual routine, except I did a big ironing. Had to borrow an iron as mine burnt out: the current on the ship being direct, and my iron was for alternating. We are making a little better time today. Have run into a rain or two — “squalls” as the crew calls them. Boat drill in the late afternoon.
June 14. Clocks were set forward another half hour last night, being the third time since we started. Did some ironing after breakfast and studied the native language until lunch time.
Just as we were finishing supper, someone reported a passing ship. We hurried through and out on deck to watch the ship until we could see it no longer.
The dishwasher asked Dewitt to show pictures to the crew tonight, so he and Robert took the equipment down to the crew’s dining room. He told them that he had other pictures also — Bible pictures — and asked if they would like to see them. They all seemed interested and stated that they would enjoy them.
June 15. After breakfast I went to my corner under the stairway out of the sun, and studied Chinyanja until 10:30; then washed Anna Marie’s hair and put it up.
In the evening while Dewitt showed his pictures, the girls and I embroidered; then we had our evening worship and went to bed.
June 16. Crossed the equator last night. From now on we will have to be more careful about exposing ourselves to the sun. After lunch time, we had our communion service. As soon as the crew finished with their work at night, Dewitt showed them some more pictures of the life of Christ.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were all more or less alike.
June 20 — Our wedding anniversary. Twenty years ago, we were married by Brother J. N. Armstrong, in Brother and Sister Sears’ living room, at Morrilton, Ark.
I had a very pleasant surprise when we went in to supper tonight: there on a special table was a large decorated cake with “ 20th Anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Garrett,” written across it. As Dewitt had not had time to see about getting a gift for me in New Orleans, he had asked the chief steward to have the cake made as a surprise. Dewitt and I cut it and Anna Marie passed it around to the officers and passengers. We found out it was the Chief Engineer’s anniversary also, so we all gave him a cheer. The cake was delicious. After everyone was served we cut off a large piece and took it to our rooms, leaving the rest for anyone who wanted it.
June 21. Early this morning, the sea was as smooth as glass. We all went out to the bow after breakfast. Later the four other passengers came out, and we all took pictures of one another, of the ship and the sea. The weather is much cooler now. Had to hunt out our light coats.
June 22. The weather is much cooler this morning and the sea is not so calm. The days are very short; it is dark before 6 o’clock.
June 23. — Sunday. As usual, had our services in our cabin, and in the evening Dewitt showed more pictures of the life of Christ to the crew.
June 24. — Monday, washday proper. Some of the crew have a washing machine on board and we rented it for $1.50 and did up all our washing. We strung up lines in all three cabins on which to dry the wash. Rested awhile after lunch and then did some re-packing — putting away our summer clothes and getting out our winter ones.
June 25. As it was too cold and windy to be comfortable outside today, we stayed in and ironed. We really had a big ironing.
June 26. — Wednesday. Finished up our packing today, all ready to get off the ship tomorrow when we land. Everyone is excited
June 27. All were awakened at 6 this morning by the fog horn which blew every five minutes until 8 o’clock, when the fog began to clear. It was 9:30 when our ship was pushed up to the dock by a large tug boat. Thanks be unto the Lord for a safe journey across the Atlantic from New Orleans to Cape Town.
(More next issue from Sister Garrett regarding their trip to Northern Rhodesia.— ES)
Dollie Adamson Garrett, Missionary Messenger, December 1946