Departure and Uncertainty

On 7th July 1848, the sailing ship Bernicia sailed from London. On board were 157 souls—85 males and 72 females.

Young Francis, as arranged, had met his uncle, aunt, and cousins, and they boarded together. At this time, Uncle Francis was 39, Aunt Emma 37, Harriet 10, Francis 8, and Felicia was 4 months. The ship, very crowded though it was due to the large quantity of cargo, was to be their home for the next five months—through monstrous seas and gales, amidst death and terror. But no one had any idea of this as the Bernicia sailed out on that lovely breezy day. The ship made a fine sight as the sails billowed out and she moved majestically out from the docks. Crowds stood waving and waving until the Bernicia was far away, and then slowly, as if unwillingly, walked quietly back from whence they came.

Alexander set off briskly on his long journey home, hoping to cheer his family whom he knew would feel deeply the loss of this boy who had always been such a joy to his mother and almost a father figure in the eyes of the brothers and sister left behind. It was a tiring trip home. Papa himself had to admit he would miss Francis tremendously. With all the preparations and seeing him away, it had not really come to him—as it did right now—that his grown-up son was now gone. Gone to the other side of the world, and he would not have a hope of ever seeing him again unless, until he too with the family made that trip also.