A musical based on the voyage of the ship, Brooklyn
(Adapted from My Father’s Field)
Melva Wheelwright
Rick Laurell
Wendy Wheelwright
Lance Wheelwright
Joy N. Hulme
Rick Laurell
Script
Contributors:
Thomas Johnston
Kenna McOmber
Lance Wheelwright
ă 2001, 2004
Act I
Scene I: Music fades into a background.
Lights are dim as sound of soft chatter is heard from students seated in a
college classroom. This can be depicted
with rows of chairs and a simple table for the professor’s books and papers,
set either upstage or to the side, leaving the center for the next part of the
scene.
Time of setting: modern day.
Lights come up as music chimes the hour:
Professor: (an elderly man with a droll sense of
humor, a rather comical yet endearing sort
of
character, taps on his desk to get the attention of the
class)
Students: (straighten
up and stop talking, open their notebooks to write)
Professor: Good morning! This is Senior History, where famous historians
are
trained. Anyone here want to become a
famous historian?
Student: I do!
Student:
And I!
All:
(general hubbub)
Professor: Anyone here want to bring to light an
important part of history that was
previously overlooked?
Student: Of course!
Student: Right here!
All: (general
noise of individual interest).
Professor: Good!!!!!
That's exactly the assignment for your semester paper. Find an event
that
occurred in America—something not generally known to the public, but
something that changed our country for the
better. You've got many years of
history
to consider.
So there is no shortage of material.
You have the entire semester to
write your project, so there's no shortage of
time. Furthermore, this will be your
ONLY graded assignment. So----, do it well.
Students:
(react with worry)
Student: (rises) How many pages must it be?
Professor: The number of pages does not matter. Only how well told.
Second
Student: But Professor, how could any
little-known event have historical
importance? Seems impossible to find.
Professor: Investigate. Ask questions. Read!
There's a story out there.
You'll find
it. Now off
with you. Take the rest of the hour to
search out a subject. I expect to
have your project proposal in two weeks. (He folds up his papers preparing to exit)
Third
Student: Two Weeks! But, professor!
Professor:
(gives them a Mona Lisa smile as he
leaves)
Animated music begins…Music No. 2: Idea for a Story
Students are leaving their classroom, heading for the library
Located center stage.
Students: WE NEED AN IDEE FOR A STORY.
WE NEED TO FIND SOMETHING
QUICK.
SOMETHING IN HISTORY? THAT IS THE MYSTERY.
Student_solo: IF I JUST HAD A CLUE WHAT TO PICK
Female
Librarian (coming across stage with cart
of books as they near her they each
grab a volume. This could be adapted from a kitchen serving cart.)
Students: SO LET'S CHECK SOME BOOKS OUT AT THE LIBR'RY
SURELY THERE'S SOMETHING
THERE WE CAN USE.
A STORY FROM OBSCURITY,
DON'T KNOW IT YET,
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF BOOKS
TO PERUSE.
Students divisi: HERE IS A BOOK ABOUT THE GOLD RUSH
(RAILROAD)
CHANGED EVERY THING IN THE
WEST (THE RAILROAD IS THE KEY)
BUT LOOK OUT IN THE BAY,
BOATS COMING EVERY DAY
SHIPPING'S THE ANSWER WE'RE
HERE TO SAY
(I
THINK YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE)
WE HAVE AN IDEE FOR A STORY.
IT IS THE ANSWER WE TRULY
FEEL,
YES, WE HAVE A STORY NOW,
THIS WE UNDERSTAND.
THE RAILROAD, THE GOLD RUSH,
THE SHIPPING, THE WINE CRUSH
THE STORY OF THE CENTURY IS
RIGHT IN OUR….
Librarian: Shh, students! This is a library. (She processes each book to the rhythm and as
she turns to leave, the students form the expected but forbidden stage picture)
Students: --HANDS!!
Librarian:
(turns, and with hands on hips gives them a scolding look)
Students: (all exit except one—David
Boyd (or Danielle Boyd depending on the gender you
want to use)--who has no
book and no idea).
David: (shrugs, discouraged)
David: (discouraged) Yeah.
I’m supposed to find some little known historical event
that somehow changed our whole country.
Librarian: Well, the whole country is hard to write
about. Why don’t you focus on the
West. I saw
several students with books on the Gold Rush.
David: The Gold Rush is hardly an unknown event.
Librarian: Let me see if I can help. (thinking) Something …(another
possibility occurs
to her) Or
…someone that changed the West.
Hmmm. (turns to him)
What about the early pioneers?
David: (not very excited about that) Covered
Wagons? What’s unique about covered
wagons?
Librarian: Who said anything about covered wagons? Come, (begins to move to the
side or wherever the two can be located as to not
interfere with action on center
stage. This will be their location for the remainder
of the play. This location is
where the 2 chairs and table from first part of
scene were placed, with lots of books
and papers on it) our library received a fairly substantial
collection of materials
lately—on pioneers.
I haven’t had time to get into them myself. Why don’t we take
a look. (she digs out a manuscript as she speaks) Ah, here’s something. (pointing
out various passages as she speaks)
David: (reading
over her shoulder)
Librarian: Pioneers that came by sea (hands him a
paper).
David: (not very impressed) By sea?
That is unusual, I admit, but I doubt their arrival had
much historical significance.
Librarian: They founded a town.
David:
(belittling her statement) Wow!
A town? Uhuh! (rolls his eyes,
looking even less
impressed with her suggestions) All pioneers founded towns.
Librarian: (points to a place in a second document.)
It was called Yerba Buena.[1]
David: (sarcastically) Now, that is a riveting subject, a real
winner. The Story of Yerba
Buena.
Librarian: The pioneers agreed with you, so they
changed the name… to San Francisco.
David: (nearly drops the papers,) What? I thought San Francisco was founded during
the
Gold Rush.
David
(looking more interested now):
Well, uh… (embarrassed) OK, you’ve found a little
known fact, but does it have impact? Would it make a good report?
Librarian: Oh--, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. There’s an even more interesting
aspect of this. (leans in, as if sharing an important secret) The people on the ship
were fleeing…. from terrible …(shakes her head as he interrupts, turns a page)
persecution…
David: (cuts into above dialogue) …hunger? Were they from Ireland? (after she turns the
page) Oh, persecution? Was that in Russia?
Librarian: No, …they fled…(builds up the suspense) from New York.[2]
David: (incredulous) What! New York! What are you saying?
Librarian: Have you ever heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints?
David: (puzzled) No.
Librarian: Better known as Mormons.
David: Oh----, Mormons! The people from Utah.
Librarian: In those days, they weren’t from Utah. Utah didn’t exist. At that time, 1840,
many of them lived in Illinois, but there were congregations throughout the
eastern states. They had been persecuted, you see, so many of them moved away
from the more settled areas of the country, searching for a place to call their own.
Eventually they purchased swamp land and started a city.
David: On swamp land? What little town could they build there?
Librarian: Would you call a settlement of over 15,000 people a little town?[3]
David: (surprised, admitting she is right)
15,000!
Librarian: Nauvoo, they called it. (still looking
thru papers) Here’s something that you
might use.
It’s a eye-witness account of the founding of that city. (turns it over,
reading back) written
by a man named Erastus Snow. (she
hands him the
manuscript)
Actors take
positions on stage as the dialogue introduces the Nauvoo Scene:
David: (reading) Summer in Nauvoo was like
being in the center of a percussive symphony.
Music
begins….
David: (continues without stopping) “The scraping echoes of the trowel
against brick and
stone….; the quick tap-tapping of blocks into
place….; the harsh, grating noise of
saws biting into …
Scene 2: Nauvoo
Street
(Lights
up on center stage)
Erastus: (matches above speaker, taking over the
speech eventually) the harsh, grating noise
of saws biting into …sweet-smelling lumber; …the
steady pounding of
hammers….(looking around joyfully) Organized
confusion-- like sweet music.[4]
Music No. 3: Nauvoo
(a dance)
. Music in imitation of hammering, tapping, fitting, setting, all
the sounds of building a city swells up in the background. Scenery can be suggestions of brick walls,
homes under construction. We see workers
building the start of this great city.
It is done in dance style. Women
bringing food to the workers, a few children carrying things in and out. People of the city are busy, busy,
busy. John Horner enters as strings
play a sweeping theme. He pushes
through the streets looking for the prophet, asking for him. Various people point the way. Bumps into Erastus.
Music volume needs to drop a little under this conversation, however actors need to
act as though the din is overwhelming.
John: Erastus!
Erastus: John?
John Horner. What are you doing
here?
John: I’m hoping to meet the President of the
Church—the Prophet, Joseph Smith. Is he
here? (longing
to do so) I’d like to shake his hand.
Erastus: (leading
him) Over there. I’ll introduce you to him.
(They find the prophet, moving off to the side so the choreography can continue)
Music fades down enough so we can hear them over the sound.
Erastus: This is Joseph Smith.
John: I'm John Horner. Came from New Jersey to shake your hand.[5]
Joseph: (they shake) New Jersey? That's a long way to come for a handshake.
When did
you arrive?
John: Just now.
I walked.
Joseph:
Then sit down and rest your feet.
John: Think I will. Thanks!
(as he says this, John sits down, removes his shoes, and we
see that the soles of his shoes
are worn)
Prophet: Planning to stay long?
John: Long as it takes to earn myself another pair
of boots. You see, (We
can see his
fingers through the bottom of his shoe.) my sole is in a sorry
state.
Prophet: Don’t worry. Saving souls is something we do around here.
(takes the boots and holds
them out. Sister Woodward comes by and
takes them.)
John: (To both of them) Oh, thank you. (Turning back to the prophet)
Actually, I was
wondering …(feeling awkward,)…uh, how you…
Prophet: (anticipating John’s question cuts in) Go on…
John: (getting up the courage) I’d like to
ask you something important—to me, anyway.
Sound: Nauvoo sound is slowly suspended. The dancers continue their choreography but
in slow motion.
Prophet: That is?
John: What do you think a young man like me ought
to know to succeed in life?
(During
the following section of music, the dancers begin to move, showing how to
listen to the voice of the spirit.
While some continue to work, some gather in prayer, others stop to say a
kind word to one who looks sad, visual acts of kindness and love)
Prophet: UPON THIS EARTH, SO I HAVE FOUND,
THERE’S CONSTANT NOISE,
DROWNS OUT THE SOUND
OF GOD’S OWN VOICE, SO SMALL
AND STILL.
YET THERE’S A CHOICE TO SEEK
HIS WILL.
CLEAR OUT YOUR HEART. CLEAR OUT YOUR MIND,
AND THEN YOU’LL START
TO HEAR THE STILL, SMALL
VOICE AND YOU WILL FIND
YOUR LOVE FOR GOD WILL START
TO GROW.
YOU’LL LOVE HIS WAYS. YOU’LL LOVE HIM SO!
A WARMTH AND CALM WILL FILL
YOUR THOUGHT
AS BY HIS SPIRIT YOU ARE
TAUGHT.
SO FOLLOW CHRIST, THE PATH
HE TROD,
TO FIND GOD’S LOVE. YOU MUST
BE STILL.
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS
GOD.[6]
(a couple of children can
come up slowly, Joseph can notice them, offer to hold one on his knee, then
sends them off to play on line below about choice)
Prophet: Your Heavenly Father loves you—oh, so very
much. You have NO idea
the depth, the comfort and healing of that
love. He wants all His children to
return
home to Him.
That is the only place of real happiness. And yet He loved us enough
to grant us choice.
We get to choose what we will do with ourselves—to choose
right from wrong.
This is Success. It’s not always
easy, because in some cases we must
chose between honorable goals[7]. My advice to you --Never let the enticements
of the world distract you.
(clapping the young man on the shoulder, looking
deeply into his eyes) John, the
measure of a man is not found in riches, but in his
heart.
Music of choir emphasizes
that this is true as they sing:
ALLELUIA,
ALLELUIA! BE STILL AND KNOW. BE STILL AND KNOW.
BE
STILL AND KNOW—GOD LOVES YOU SO!
(Joseph opens
up a Bible, points out something to him as the music completes)
Eventually the noise of the
city resumes, the following lines are exit lines.
Joseph: Well, duty calls. We have a city to build.
John: I’d like to stay here and help.
Joseph: Excellent!
(looks around, sees Woodward) Brother Woodward, come
here for a minute.
Sister
Woodward: (returns with soled shoes) Hope these will do!
John: (amazed at the efficiency) Why, thanks!
Woodward:
(joins the group)
Joseph: This is John Horner. (They
shake hands) He’s offered to help
build the city.
John: I'm a farmer. (Sits and puts on boots)
Woodward: (rubbing
his hands together at the good news) Terrific!
John: The only problem is, I didn't bring any of my tools.
Woodward: That's no problem! You won't need a plow or shovel.
I’m going to make
you... (looks him over to see if he's fit) -- a
brick mason.
John: (astonished)
A what? A mason? You’re joking? Tell me you're joking!
Woodward: (shakes
his head) Nope (as he rushes John away)
Erastus: (follows after them, amused at John’s reaction)
Joseph
(waves them goodbye with a jovial laugh
and disappears into the crowd)
Lights dim down.
(Lights up on student and
librarian)
Scene 3: Library
Historical Collection Area
David: So why haven’t I heard about such a
prosperous city like Nauvoo?
I suppose they completed it.
David: Rebuilt?
That must mean that something happened to it. But what?
Librarian: (Digs through more manuscripts) There’s
got to be an answer.
David: I feel guilty, taking up your time like this.
Librarian: Don’t be.
This subject is intriguing. (They
keep digging)
David: (helping her, pulls out something
promising): Wait! I think I found
something.
It’s an executive order written in
the State of Missouri—some Governor named
Boggs signed it.
(skimming over the words, using his finger, muttering)
(suddenly puts the paper down in astonishment) You really won’t believe this. In
the United States, land of the free!
Librarian: (curious) Well, tell me.
David: His executive order gave permission for
people to kill Mormons on sight.
Exterminate them. Or drive them out of the state.[8]
Librarian: What’s the date on that?
David: 27th of October, 1838.
Librarian: Before they built Nauvoo.
David: (looking further) There’s more. Joseph Smith was arrested, taken to a jail,
then
murdered by a mob before he could go to trial. Huh!
Murdered while in protective
custody, no less.
Librarian: (still checking her document) It appears that mobs weren’t satisfied with
killing
the Mormon Prophet. You might find this diary entry enlightening. (hands it to
him)
Scene 4: Mob
Scene
Mob
Scene music and actions:
Music: begins
again, a plaintive tune.
A single candle
(or lantern) is lit in the center of a table.
Two wooden chairs on each side suggest the interior of a cabin. Sister Woodward walks her sick baby. Lights come up softly to illuminate
scene. Suddenly gunshots are heard
as the mob rushes the cabin through the audience. The husband and son about 10-12 years of age enter the room just
as the mobbers (perhaps 3 to 5 other men) burst through the door. The son grabs a chair for protection.
Woodward: Son, remember
what we were counseled. We're not to
resist the
mob.
Colonel Levi Williams:
That's right, sonny. We wouldn't
want anybody hurt now, would
we? (grabs the chair, throws it, then puts a gun
to Woodward's head)
You know and I know that Joe Smith is
the biggest liar of all time. Say it, Joe Smith
is a false prophet!
Son: You leave my father
alone. Joseph was a true prophet and
you killed him!
Mobster: One more word out
of you and your father's a dead Mormon (pushes
son
away).
Colonel Williams: Old
Joe's duped these poor people. Right?
(Mob man begins
to spread Kerosene around the room)
Mob: right!
Colonel Williams: When
Mormons are around, is your property safe?
Mob: No!
Colonel Williams: Is this
the kind of people we want in Hancock County?
Mob: No!
Woodward: We've promised
to leave as soon as spring arrives.
Sister Woodward: We've
already started packing.
Colonel Williams: Well,
ain't that a fine coincidence. We've
come to help you out. All
right, men, move 'em out (Mob begins throwing chairs out of house) Woodward,
you've got exactly two minutes to pack up and move out.
Family hurriedly
picks up what they can and exits. Mob
Leader takes candle, pretends to throw it into house. Sound: explosion, fire burning, rain pouring, children crying,
women trying to comfort them, mob shouts, etc. Refugees enact their grief in
front of curtain,are joined by other families with the mobbers eventually
driving them out.[9]
Music, organ music in prelude of the coming scene is heard:
the scene in New York is slowly coming into light on another part
of the stage People are quietly
gathering into the conference room consisting of a couple rows of chairs. Keep this scene to the side, opposite to the
library scene so the set for the Brooklyn can be readied for center stage.
Scene 5: A Conference in New York
Pratt: (standing before the audience) My dearly beloved brothers and sisters of
New York.
Despite the banner of freedom which flies above this
land, we are a people
no
longer protected under its promised liberty.
We have endured one continual scene
of the most horrid and unrelenting persecutions…for
the last sixteen years. Even
now our people in Nauvoo suffer atrocities at the
hands of evil men.[10]
Crowd: (murmurs of dismay)
Pratt: (voice heard behind enactment) Nauvoo is being
abandoned.
Crowd (further reactions, some people are tearful)
Pratt: There is no
choice. We must leave. Sell your property and personal belongings
so you can prepare for the journey. We’re leaving the United States, heading
west.
Man: What about folks who
can’t afford a wagon and team?
Pratt: Elder Samuel
Brannon has been appointed to preside over those who can’t afford an
overland journey west. I’ll have him tell you the plan himself.
Brannon: (stands and addresses the
group) We have chartered a ship, the Brooklyn. You
adults can travel all the way to the
west coast for only $75 a person. The
children--
for half that. The ship has two decks and the hold is so large that it will
carry freight
of all kinds. Between the decks, laborers are now building 32 state rooms with
bunk
beds and a skylight that will open for
fresh air and light. Those who wish to
go
should contact me immediately. We sail on January 24th for California.[11]
Scene 6: Library
(Lights on library.) People in Conference scene need to quickly remove their chairs.
David: So that is how these forgotten pioneers came
to leave New York.
Librarian: Here’s a passenger list. The passengers all appear to be from the
East Coast.
Oh, remember that young man, John
Horner? He’s on board—with a wife.
David: But why were they sailing
to California? I thought the Mormons
went to Utah.
Librarian: Know any seaports in
Utah?
David: Oh---, duh! I walked into that one. (attempts to cover his embarrassment by
digging through
documents, holds one over his red face, then notices what it is)
Hmm. What is this? (holds it up)
Look. Here’s a description of their departure. It says…(reading) On February 4,
1846, the Brooklyn slipped out of
port in New York. On the banks of the
Mississippi River that same day,
other members of the church were facing
expulsion from their beloved city,
Nauvoo.
Librarian: The same day you say?
David: Yes!
(reading) It was the middle of winter--a winter so cold that soon
the
Mississippi River was covered with
thick ice, which became the roadbed for many
loaded wagons.
Lights come up slowly.
On stage we see a suggestion of a ship, deck rails along apron on
far side may suffice, Center stage is
to be set up as the hold of the ship, suggestion of “staterooms” created with
doorframes, a few cots can be seen inside them. Use tan colored sheets attached to the frames to serve as
“doors”. In the front of the frames are
a few removable benches set end to end to appear as though they are one long
bench. A suggestion of a table to eat
on can be created with a single board (1x12) with legs in front of the
benches. Some large crates or kegs set
at the extreme right and left would add ambiance to the scene. At the mention of passengers below,
some can enter with a few pieces of luggage.
Seen prominently along front are John, Elizabeth, Glover, Brannon, with
Capt. Richardson doing his duty) [12]
David: (continues
without stopping) The
Brooklyn Pioneers and the Illinois pioneers were
leaving their homes, searching for
a place where they could worship God.
Librarian: At that time the West was another country,
part of Mexico. (suddenly realizes
the implication) They were
leaving America, looking for a land of freedom!
David: Aboard the Brooklyn, the passengers huddled
on the decks, watched as the ship was
towed through New York harbor, gateway
to the land of liberty. For them, this
was
not a land of liberty, but a land
of persecution.[13]
(taps
that page with an enthusiastic motion)
No question about it, I’ve found
my research topic! There’s a gold mine of information here!
Set change: As soon as the following scene gets
underway, quietly turn the library area into a cooking station…a few platters
on the table, a pitcher or jug for water, tray filled with mugs, etc. Remove the chairs. Have a couple of actors dressed as cooks stand near the table
ready for serving dinner.
Scene 6b Ship Brooklyn
Elizabeth: (taking
husband by the hand as he stands gazing over the rail) Come away
John. We need to get settled in our room.
Sailor (standing beside them) If you’re going below, watch your step,
….and your heads.
On same side there can be a small run of stairs (maybe
three which extend into the side curtains) which suggest the entrance to the
hold. The stairway into a hold is
normally narrow and steep. At the deck
level, it is surrounded by 2 ˝ foot
planking to prevent water from entering.
For our purposes, we just need to see the last couple of steps extending
into the stateroom area. All adult actors, when in the hold, must hunch over to
keep from bumping their heads on the ceiling.
Divide cast,, keep some off stage to enter onto deck for parts of this
scene done on upper deck.
John and Elizabeth descend into hold via the side stairs. For the purposes of this production, we will imagine 6 beds in each room—a set of bunks right and left, and another at the back of the room, the bunks to be only 18” apart. The beds will be 5 feet long and 18” wide so that each room is 5 feet square. If the stage is small, place 2 cots in each room to represent the number of beds. Each “stateroom” door will be a blanket. Since the following families play important roles in our re-enactment, the Ensign family is to be in first stateroom. Robbins family would have taken up the next 2 staterooms but for this production, we will assign them one room taking only 5 beds, the 3rd stateroom is for Goodwins with Isaac jr. to sleep with Robbins, 4th is for Horners, but Emerette age 13 and Nancy Goodwin age 4+ are in there as well, next is # 5, the Burrs. On a small stage, there may not be room for all these doorways, so design the set according to the most important action, possibly moving families one room left or right, depending on the scene. (Ensign family got TB and gave it to the Robbins whose 2 children died.[14]) Down the center of the hold was a table stretching nearly the length of the ship with benches on each side, all fastened securely to the floor[15] However, our table will be removable as are the benches.
John: Excuse us, please (passing the above people who are trying to get settled).
Here it is,
number 4. (peers in, sees Emerette and Nancy sitting on a bunk)
Oh! Sorry, thought this was our room.
Emerette: It is-- partly. We've nine in our family.
Don't quite fit in one stateroom.
Elizabeth: (slightly
upset) But Brannon said every family would have their own….
John: Never mind that, Elizabeth. I looked at the passenger list. Must be well over 200
people trying to find a bed in a
hold the size of your father's house.[16]
Nancy: (stands,
looks up, hoping to please) We won't be much bother, we promise.
Elizabeth: (kneeling close to the child) I'm sure
we'll get along fine. (pats her on
the head) What's your
name?
Nancy: Nancy.
(points to sister) That's Emerette.
Laura: (carrying
Albert, pushes her way thru crowded aisle to appear at their door)
Good day to you. I'm Laura
Goodwin and this is Albert. We're in
the stateroom
next to you. I see you've met my daughters.
John: We're the Horners. John (shakes hands)
Elizabeth: (holding
out her hand) Elizabeth.
Goodwin
children: (peek in behind their mother)
Elizabeth: (continues on without stopping) I see you've quite a crowd.
Laura: (turns
about to see her children grinning) Yes. This is Isaac, Lewis, Edwin, and
Lucinda.
Isaac Sr. (steps up) I'm Isaac Sr.. (Horners introduce themselves quickly).[17]
Laura: I guess you
don't have children?
John: Oh, not yet! We got married one day before we came here.
Isaac Sr. (delighted) Ah!…This is your
honeymoon.
John: A rather uncommon wedding trip, I think.[18]
Laura: Indeed!
Well….come children, let the Horners get settled (to girls, pointedly) and
have a few
moments alone. (they return to their room, but not Emerette.)
Lights up on deck where Brannon orders Glover to ring
ship’s bell 3 times.
Brannon: (pulls
out pocket watch) Yes Glover, 3 bells.
Glover: (heavy
Scottish accent) Aye, Elder Brannon (he rings the bell 3 times).
Below:
Elizabeth: What's that?
Emerette: The bell signals our assignments. Didn't you read the list Elder Brannon
posted?
Elizabeth: I thought I'd have time to do that
later.
Emerette: (starts moving to door) That's the call for kitchen duty. All women
without children are expected to
help.
Elizabeth: (to
John) I guess that means me, too. (she kisses him on the cheek) Be back.
Music begins
here: All this action happens during
the song.
(The two climb back up the stairs following a few other women. On board were Lucy Nutting, Emmeline Lane,
Miss Reed, Angeline Lovett, Elizabeth Margaret Poole, Susan Savage, Zelnora
Snow if you happen to want names for a few characters)
Lights on
deck widen as women enter the opposite side of stage, the “galley”.
Ad. Lib introduce themselves as they take platters from the cooks while below which means they will exit, come around to the opposite side, come down the stairs and enter the
“hold”. Meanwhile children rush to the table and sit. Parents can be supervising.
Emerette: (enters
hold with platter of pewter mugs).
Girls: (carrying
platters of biscuits and salt pork, all do the same. We see them enter
hold,
serve the children. Elizabeth is left
alone)
Elizabeth: (brings a pitcher of water and begins to pour
Others in the cast may enact some of the rules sung about
here.
Glover at the
bell: (for 6 counts in the intro, matching the beat. Glover needs to
memorize
this song in order to do the rhythm between phrases.) Lines of this song
may be
assigned to anyone in the cast. These
are suggested ways of doing it.
Children in
hold: WHEN REVEILLE BEATS, JUMP OUT OF
BED,
WASH FACES, HANDS, AND COMB YOUR
HEAD,
Women : YOU CAN'T LEAVE YOUR ROOM TILL YOU'RE
PERFECTLY DRESSED
INCLUDING YOUR COAT AND MAYBE YOUR
VEST.
Glover on
bell: (2 counts) (Brannon close by, supervising)
Laura: (to
her children) BY SEVEN A.M. DO YOUR
ROOM AND BED.
STAY OUT OF THE HALL WHILE THE
TABLE IS SPREAD.
Glover: (be late on this one, hit on the 8:30 1
beat, Brannon scolds)
Goodwin
children: BREAKFAST FOR CHILDREN,
EIGHT-THIRTY A.M.
THEN GO TO YOUR ROOMS OR THE DECK
ONCE AGAIN
Glover (1
bell after the word "nine" in following lyric)
Male
Adults: ADULTS WILL HAVE BREAKFAST AT
QUARTER PAST NINE
WITHOUT ANY CHILDREN TO PESTER AND
WHINE.
Glover (1
bell after "sharp" in dialogue following)
Women: BY TEN A.M. SHARP, THE HALL SWEPT CLEAN
Small group on
deck: FROM THEN ‘TIL TWO,
IT'S READ, OR DREAM
Glover: (madly trying to get this bell right with
Brannon standing over him, missing both
of them
and ends up clanging after "more")
Cooks: HOT DINNER IS SERVED AT THREE, AND FOUR.
Children: CHILDREN FIRST 'CAUSE ADULTS WANT MORE.
Phoebe:
THE ROOMS ARE CLEARED,
Laura: AND SWEPT AGAIN
Men: THE DOORS ARE OPEN UNTIL 8 P.M.
Women: TO AIR OUT OUR ROOMS WHILE WE VISIT AND
SING
OR DO ANY OTHER
"INNOCENT" THING
Cooks (on deck): AT 8 IN THE EVENING A COLD LUNCH IS SPREAD
FOR ANY TO EAT BEFORE GOING TO BED.
Brannon: (scolding Glover) BEDTIME -- NINE O-CLOCK, I SAY.
All: AND THAT IS THE END
Glover: bangs loudly under
Brannon’s orders
All: (continuing)….OF A SHIP BROOKLYN DAY.
At this point,
several of the “passengers need to be near Brannon and Glover at the rail.
A couple of sailors move to a railing and point at
something. One runs to get First Mate.
Brannon: (To
Glover who is delighted to quit ringing the bell) Not so fast, Glover.
You are NOT done. One more
time—loud and long.
Glover: (rings
it as asked)
Sound: wind
blowing, gradually gets louder as scene progresses. Sky will darken as storm intensifies. The following conversations happen almost on top of each other.
Crowd: (gathers
to see what Brannon wants now)
Brannon: I think we need to go over these rules once
again. Some of you still don't know
the bells. (looks at Glover
with slight exasperation).
Mate: (Mid
sentence under Brannon, steps out and comes toward Sailors.)
Sailors: There, Sir.
Those dark clouds closing in.
Mate: Looks like rain that direction (pointing off somewhere).
Better wake the Captain.
Brannon: As I was saying…
Sound. Crack of
Thunder in the distance.
Crowd (look around anxiously)
Brannon. …these
rules were given to each of you before boarding. There is no excuse…
Sound:
Thunder. A little louder.
Glover: (holding
up hand, catching rain, looking at it)
Excuse me, Elder Brannon, but it's
starting to rain. Perhaps the people need to get below.
Crowd: (covering
their heads and not waiting for Brannon, hurry to the hold)
Richardson appears from his cabin. Talks quietly to his Mate.
Sailor (with glass): The wind is getting stronger, sir. Those clouds are building, too.
Richardson: (looking
around) I don't like the look of
this. All hands on deck.
Mate: All hands on deck. All hands!
Sailors: (rush
about, nearly knocking Mr. Brannon to his knees)
Brannon: (looking
around, bewildered) Uh, ….oh!
Glover: If you don't mind my saying, you'd do better
to get out of the way,
(Glover, with Brannon in tow, rushes off.)
Richardson: Furl the sails, men. Quickly.
Lights begin to dim as music begins. With each lighting flash we see some of the
following:
Director can select a few of these possible activities to
portray, fitting into the length of music and possibilities that the set will
allow. Between each vignette, hear
shouts of voices, cry of children.
These need to be Pre-assigned rather than random.[20] Also, scenes in the hold should be lit by a
momentary lighting of a battery-operated lantern, then quickly turned off again. Scenes on deck can be spotlight or if one
has use of dimmers, then flash the lights as if lightening has struck in the
sky above. If a spotlight is used for
lightning, then one can cover the lens with a cardboard, then remove and
quickly cover again to make lightening effects. The longer activities could be dimly light by the spotlight and
do not need to have
Lightning flashes other than done by the normal stage
lights.
(a) Sailors
working the sails: Bring out the storm
sail (small one) and remove the regular sails which aren’t as strong. Ropes are used to lower the sails. These would drop to the deck when released,
and would be rolled up and tied. This
can be done using an off-stage
ladder to
provide an angle for the rope as explain in the appendix of this script.
(b). Batten
hatches: sailor comes onto deck with
hammer, covers for the hatches (3 of them)
are wedged into place using the
hammer to pound the wedges. This can be
done on
the apron.
(c). Securing
the anchor. (done with a rope moving
off stage, verbal orders suggest what
the rope means.)
(d) Passengers
getting thrown about. Be sure the
hand-held lantern swings as the ship
sways.
(e) Sailors lashing helm, which
is done by tying a rope on the right and another on the left to
the sides of the boat.
(f) Stateroom, Laura hovering over her young ones
(g) Passengers
throwing up in night pots
(h) Doctor
tending the sick
(i) Children
thrown from their beds, roping children to beds when storm reaches its peak
(choir)
AND THE WIND
GREW STRONG AND THE CLOUDS DID LOWER,
THEN THE SKY
GREW DARK AND THE WAVES DID ROAR
AS THE OCEAN
ROSE. THEN THE RIGGING CREAKED
WHILE THE SKY
GREW BLACK AND THE LIGHTNING STREAKED.
THE LIGHTNING,
THE THUNDER. WAVES BURIED THEM UNDER.
THE LIGHTNING,
THE THUNDER. WAVES BURIED THEM UNDER.
SEA CHURNING AND
HEAVING. MEN FEARING AND GRIEVING.
SEA CHURNING AND
HEAVING. MEN FEAR AND GRIEVE.
WHITE CAPS
LOOMED LIKE MONSTROUS MOUNTAINS
CRASHING DOWN
LIKE FRIGHTENING FOUNTAINS.
CLOUDS OF
BLACKNESS PRESSING LOWER,
WHILE LIKE
DEMONS THEY DID GLOWER.
FIERCE WINDS ARE
BLOWING; CLOUDS ARE LOWERING,
BURYING THE
SHIP.
WAVES LIKE
POUNDING FISTS, HAMMERING THE SHIP.
LIGHTNING FLASH!
THUNDER CRASH!
WHITE CAPS
PEAK. WOMEN SHRIEK AT THE SHIP
WEAKENING.
MONSTROUS WAVES
BURYING THE SHIP, THE WEAKENING SHIP.
ON THE NEARLY
SINKING SHIP, THE WEAK’NING SHIP,
NEARLY SINKING,
EVER WEAKENING SHIP, THE SHIP.
Sounds of creaking ship, wind, thunder, and rain keep
growing in intensity. Music continues.
Richardson: (shouting over the tumult of storm)
It’s no use, men. We’ve done all we
can. The ship’s breaking up. I’ll go below and warn the passengers.
Solo line over storm sung by Laura Goodwin: As light comes up on her, we find her cuddling her little boy, Albert.
HUSH, MY BABY,
HUSH.
THRU STORM THE
WIND DOTH RUSH.
BUT ANGELS HOVER
WHILE YOU SLEEP
TO GUARD YOU
FROM THE OCEAN DEEP
SO HUSH, MY
BABY, HUSH.
Light: On that signal, light comes up in hold and
stairwell. The captain is visibly
grieved at the tragedy of the child soon to be drowned.
Music continues
under dialogue:
John: (head
in hands, seated at the bench of the table on end near the stair. Sees captain
and
looks up). Captain. What's happening up there?
Elizabeth: (holding
little Nancy, is seated on bunk, blanket acting as their door is up so we
can see them).
Richardson (bowing his head in defeat): In all my years at sea, I've never seen a
storm this
violent!
(gesturing with his hands) The sky is black. Gigantic waves come from nowhere, screeching
and howling like…great monsters. If my
cabin is ripped off (gestures above his head to the stairway) a gaping
wound will be left in the deck.
The angry sea will pour in and
drown us all.
Crowd: (as he
speaks, people begin to peek out of staterooms, some venture all the
way out
into the table area, grab hold as they are tossed almost to the floor)
Richardson: I'm sorry,
everyone. I have done all in my power to save her, but the sea has
won the fight.
Crowd reaction (some fear,
but mostly just dismay)
Richardson: (removes his hat) There is a time in
every man's life when it is fitting he
should prepare to die. That time has come for us. If any of you haven't made your
peace with God, you'd better do it now.
Crowd: (reaction again)
Glover: No, Captain,
No! Have courage, all of you. God holds this ship in His hands. I
can feel Him even now. We're going to California, wherever it is.[22]
Richardson: I don't think
you understand.
Glover: Oh, we
understand. Don't worry, Captain. We left for California and we Shall
get there!"
Richardson
retreats up the stairs followed by John as passengers, balcony choir sing
Music
No. 6c: God Moves in a Mysterious Way[23]
GOD MOVES IN A
MYSTERIOUS WAY, HIS WONDERS TO PERFORM.
HE PLANTS HIS
FOOTSTEPS IN THE SEA, AND RIDES UPON THE STORM.[24]
The two men
emerge onto deck inside Capt’s cabin but for our purposes will be near the
railing where the Captain had been standing moments before.
Sound: A great crash of thunder is heard
again. Cast continues to sing below
them.
Sounds of wind
and rain very loud.
Under the following dialogue the passengers and balcony sing
quietly:
FEAR NOT, I AM
WITH THEE, O BE NOT DISMAYED
FOR I AM THY GOD
AND WILL STILL GIVE THEE AID.[25]
Richardson: (pointing,
shouts) See how the gale is tearing at the spars.
John: (nods) I do.
Richardson: If they break,
the ship will turn and roll.
John: (shouting) And we go down.
Richardson: Yes.
John: Captain, you're a
god-fearing man. Why don't we ask Him
to strengthen the spars?[26]
Richardson: (nods)
The two men bow
their heads in prayer as the lights dim.
Choirs continue to sing:
I'LL STRENGTHEN THEE, HELP THEE, AND
CAUSE THEE TO STAND.
UPHELD BY MY
RIGHTEOUS, OMNIPOTENT HAND.
Scene 7: On deck the next morning
Storm music
changes to calm:
Sounds: Rain
ceases. The howls of the wind die away,
Off to one side, we see daylight gleam through a break in the clouds. Sailors rush to rail and look. Captain Richardson and John, look at each
other and rejoice. We see ship passengers
creep from their beds, begin to clean up. Sailors, release helm, release the
sails etc.
Children rush to
deck, bedraggled parents close behind.
The Nichols come with a bundle in a blanket and quietly drop it over the
side. Some people comfort them. Others are busy and don't notice. Cooks need to clear the “galley” then
sailors can reset the library books in preparation for the coming scene change.
The following bits of dialogue happen nearly
on top of each other, giving a feeling of exuberant relief from the near
drowning. Keep the pace fast.
Nancy: (entering onto
deck) Emerette! Look. Sunshine!
Emerette: Thank God! We’re saved (they hug each other).
Elizabeth (rushes into
John's arms): That was quite a
ride. I don't think I want anymore
excitement for the rest of the trip.
(They
hug and move off to another part of boat)
Nancy: (running to Laura) I don't need my wrap, Mama. I'm not cold now.
Laura: (taking it) You don't?
Sailor: (happening by) We're near the tropics, Ma'am. From now on, it will be warmer.
Phoebe: (rushing up to deck) Anyone seen my
husband?
Crowd: Doctor! Doctor Robbins, you're needed.
Phoebe: It's Brother
Ensign. He's real bad.
Dr. Robbins: (hurrying over) Who?
Phoebe: (as they enter stairwell) Elias Ensign.[27]
We see into hold
as Dr. attends Elias, while family members gathered near him, watch and
worry. Dialogue on deck continues
uninterrupted. A very pregnant Mrs.
Burr is near Eliz and John. Focus for the action now turns to this conversation:
Elizabeth: Sarah Burr, you
are very brave to be on board with a baby so close.
Sarah: (who is visibly
very pregnant) I thank the Lord that he wasn't born in the storm.
Elizabeth: Amen! (looks
at her closely) Are you all right?
Sarah (grabs her stomach)
Oh, oh!
Nancy (comes closer, wonders
about what she sees)
John: (rushes to hatch and shouts down). Dr. Robbins. Another patient coming down.
The action picks up its frenetic pace again.
Charles (taking wife by arm,
assists her down the stairs).
Dr. Robbins, (coming to see
who it is) Oh, Sarah, not already!
Sarah: Afraid so.
Charles (puts her into the
stateroom)
Nancy: What’s the matter
with her, Elizabeth?
Elizabeth: She’s going to
have a baby!
Nancy: Oh-------! (Is
excited, runs to tell Emerette)
Crowd: (gathers, children push to front. ad libs of
what's happening)
Dr. Robbins (steps inside
the room)
Charles: (as he lowers the
blanket over the door, curious children have gathered.) Better
find something else to do, children. (blanket shuts, parents shoo them off)
Pace slows, focus on Elizabeth Horner.
Elizabeth: (On deck, looking over to Nichols, confides
in her husband) John, the Nichols
lost their baby. Look at
them. (shakes her head sadly) I couldn’t bear to lose
a baby to the sea.
John: We never know what
we will have to bear. That baby is
God’s child. (indicating the
heavens). I know he’ll go to place of joy, not of
tears. He’ll be waiting, when his
parents leave this life.[28]
Elizabeth: Still, I hope I
don't have to lose a child. That would
break my heart, even if I
knew that he would be with God. It's so hard to say goodbye.
Sound: New baby cry
Lights out on
deck. Light focuses on the closed
blanket door
Dr. Robbins: (stepping out of Burr's, hugging Charles)
It's a boy!
(Eventually sees
the frightened look on faces of the Ensign family, pushes through the crowd
toward them.)
Lights intensify on Elias bed area
as Dr. Robbins nears, fading slightly on Burr Stateroom if possible.
Dr. Robbins (offers ad lib
comforting words to the family when he sees Elias die, head falls
to one
side. For the following line he
indicates the Burr Stateroom 1st, then Brother
Ensign’s still
body.)
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh
away. (covers Ensign’s face with sheet)
Ensign Family: (grieving as lights fade out.)[29]
Lights out briefly, then come up on deck after Music segue.
Actors on stage are portraying the events as the librarian and student describe them.
Lights up on library:
David: Wait a minute. They had to go around the tip of South
America, didn’t they!
Librarian: You’re
right. They did. (she starts looking for a map and comes
up with one
during his dialogue below)
David: My father used to
love talking about the sea. From what I
remember, the area at the
tip of South American is cursed with
violent, changeable winds carrying hail and
sleet.
The waves there tower higher than in any other part of the world. To attempt
the trip in winter’s violent storms
would mean certain death.
Librarian: So they must
have avoided winter somehow. Let’s
check it out (they start
digging into their books and papers
again). Here’s
something.
David: (pointing over
her shoulder) It was early April.
Well, that gave them a fighting
chance.
Even so, the Westerlies outnumber the Easterlies three to one down
there.
Librarian: (finding the
term unfamiliar) Westerlies?
David: The winds that blow
from west to east. (holds up the map
and points)
Librarian: The wrong way
for the Brooklyn. (she takes the map
to examine it)
David: Exactly. (picks
up the manuscript and reads it) So--, the Captain used a west-
blowing breeze to travel south for four
straight days (gestures with the map
to show the direction the sailing
maneuvers) until he was far beyond the coast and
its deadly, submerged rocks. Each time he found an eastern wind, he would
work
toward the Pacific.
Librarian: I see. I wonder how long it took them to get around
the cape?
David: Says here, they got
through on April 10th…That’s pretty good sailing![30]
Richardson: (clapping the
helmsman on the back) We did it!
Sailors: (shout with relief)
Crowd: (What is going
on, ad lib.)
Richardson: Attention,
everyone! I am pleased to announce that
you have become---
Pacific Pilgrims!
Glover: You mean we've
made it around the Horn?
Richardson: (proudly)
And heading north at last.
Crowd: (cheer with excitement)
Glover: (dashes for the hold to tell Brannon)
Richardson: (follows him.)
John: (to Elizabeth) You see, my faith was not in vain.
Elizabeth: You’re starting
to make a believer out of me.
John: You mean it?
Elizabeth: I’ve been
considering it all along. Still--,
being baptized is no small thing.
I--I must be
sure.
John: But you love
God. I know you do.
Elizabeth: God? Yes! …But there’s so much I don’t
understand. (pauses, try to tell him)
Why would true followers of Christ be
persecuted?
John: I don’t understand
everything God does. But I do know that
we were given the power
to choose what to do with our lives,
whether for good or evil. Sometimes we
suffer
the consequences of other’s
choices. The point is to remain
faithful despite the
trials.[31]
Elizabeth: I am faithful
to God. I’m faithful to you. (sighs) But--, if I had a choice, I’d
choose to be in California right
now. Off this boat, away from the
constant motion,
away from these crowded conditions.
John: We’re on the Pacific
now. Things should get easier
soon. (they head to hold as if to
go to their
stateroom where they overhear the following conversation:
Glover: (Below deck, finds Brannon who is in the company of Robbins and Isaac)
Elder Brannon, we made it around the
Horn! It’s another miracle.
Brannon: (Studying a set of large kegs) Now we
have something else to worry about.
Robbins and Isaac (are just behind him opening barrels)
Richardson: And that is?
Brannon: This is all the
water we have left.
Isaac: Might last the
week, if we're lucky. Not much longer.
Phoebe: You can’t drink it
unless you strain the algae out with your teeth.
Robbins: Why hasn’t it
been boiled?
Isaac: Can't! We're out of fuel.
Phoebe: The meat and sea
biscuits are nearly gone as well.
Brannon: We rounded the
cape, but we’ll die of hunger.[32]
Richardson: Well,
Brannon. That’s a
possibility—or--- we could make for
Valparaiso.
Plenty of food and water there—at a
price.
Isaac: We don't have any
money left. Everyone on the ship is
poor.
Richardson: Do you have a
better suggestion?
Isaac: (shakes head)
Brannon: Spread the word
that everyone is to pray for a speedy trip.
(men turn to leave but
he adds) And—from now on, only one pint of water a
day.
Robbins: One pint!
Brannon: Better than none.
Robbins: But my wife and
Laura Goodwin are pregnant!
(gesturing to
Phoebe).
Brannon: Can't be
helped. Twill keep them alive a little
longer.
Robbins: (Putting his arms around Phoebe) We'll be sending more folk over the rail.
Isaac: Heaven help us. (leaves,
shaking his head)
Elizabeth: (In their stateroom: to
John) Did you hear that! We’re almost out of water.
So much for faith!
John: Don’t be so
sure. We can choose to be disheartened
or choose to hang on.
Elizabeth: But how can
I? Nothing is left to eat except a few
dry biscuits crawling with
worms.
Sometimes I fear the rats will leap on the table and snatch even those
from
our hands.[33] I’m losing hope, John. Where is God? Where can He be?
How can I
hang on?
John: (offering his arm) Use this.
Maybe it will help.
Elizabeth: (takes it, puts her head on his shoulder,
sighs) Maybe.
Elizabeth:
IS
THERE AN END TO THIS ENDLESS SEA? IS THERE A PLACE OF PEACE? HOW CAN I FACE THE DAWNING OF MORE DAYS
FILLED WITH ENDLESS GRIEF?
John:
IF
YOU COULD SEE BEYOND THE STORM, BEYOND THE BLACKENED SKY. YOU WOULD SEE INTO HEAVEN--SEE OUR SAVIOR
NEAR. HE CAN HEAR YOUR CRY. FOR IT IS CHRIST WHO IS MASTER OF WHAT WE
SEE. SO, COME WITH ME, WHERE THE OCEAN
MEETS THE SKY. (he urges her up to the deck)
The music rolls on as John and Elizabeth go to the rail and stare out at the endless sky. If this production is done in a stake center, one could use a cyc. As they gaze out, a heavenly choir sings Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled. Elizabeth leans heavily on John’s shoulder, seeking comfort. Off in the distance, the sky takes on a rose tint and as the song progresses, we watch the sun set. John and Elizabeth become black silhouettes, then they and other passengers descend into hold. Evening deepens, lanterns are lit, and for a few moments we see dim figures of sailors doing their duty, then dawn arrives. A few early passengers climb up to the deck and as the sun rises the next morning, the first ray of light might catch some distant peaks. If there is no cyc, one can dim the lights or limit the number of lights to show that night has fallen, then gradually add more light for a sunrise.
Music No.
7b: Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
(choir)
LET NOT YOUR
HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID.
FOR I WILL BE ON
YOUR RIGHT HAND AND ON YOUR LEFT,
BE NOT AFRAID.
LET NOT YOUR
HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID.
MINE ANGELS ARE
ROUND ABOUT YOU, TO BEAR YOU UP.
BE NOT AFRAID.
BE OF GOOD
CHEER. DO NOT FEAR.
FOR I, THE LORD,
WILL STAND BY YOU.
THEN BE OF GOOD
CHEER. DO NOT FEAR.
FOR I, THE LORD,
AM BESIDE YOU.
LET NOT YOUR
HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID.
FOR ANGELS ARE
ROUND ABOUT YOU TO BEAR YOU UP,
BE NOT AFRAID.
MINE ANGELS ARE
ROUND ABOUT YOU TO BEAR YOU UP.
BE NOT AFRAID.[34]
Sailor: Land, ho! (hands
spyglass to Richardson)
Richardson: I see the
mountains of Valparaiso! We're almost
there.
The news spreads
among the passengers. The disheartened
attitude evaporates as they dream of fresh vegetables and clear water. Voices get louder. We hear them planning what they will do on dry land, ad lib.
Brannon and Glover rush to Capt.'s side.
Brannon: How much longer,
now?
Richardson: Just a matter
of time. The Harbor is in that
direction. With this strong wind,
we will walk on land in a matter of a
day or two.
Glover: Then let's
celebrate. What do you say to having—(thinks
hard)-- an extra
biscuit?
Richardson: A fine idea.
Glover and Richardson: (look
at Brannon for his OK)
Brannon: (somewhat
reluctant) Oh------, all right!
Music No.
8: Sea Biscuit (dance)
Music turns
playful as cooks and single women serve the rest. A brief dance ensues.
Lights: during dance, the sky begins to muddy as a
storm brews in the distance.
Sailor: (interrupting, pointing) Captain. Look there.
Richardson (grabs the spyglass)
Dance is
reaching its peak of elation.
Richardson: Storm![35]
The celebration
is dashed to a halt mid step.
Brannon: What do you mean,
storm?
Richardson: Get your
people below. There's a squall out
there, blocking the harbor. I'm
going to make a run at it, but the ride
may not be pleasant.
Brannon: (standing there, bewildered)
Glover: Come, Elder
Brannon. We need to move quickly. (shouting) Everyone! Time to
go below.
Crowd (not quite so
cooperative, move toward hatch)
Sailor: All hands on
deck!
Lights: keep lights off in stateroom
area of hold.
Sounds: wind wailing and rain falling, gradually
getting stronger. Crowd hurries to
hatch. On the deck of ship, sailors
working feverishly. Laura Goodwin is
carrying Isaac. As she attempts to
enter the hatch, he wiggles out of her arms and runs away. The lights are lowering. We barely see…
Laura: Isaac, come back
here! (she grabs him. Isaac is wiggling. She wrestles him
offstage, but is
awkward because of her protruding belly)
Sound: Roar of wind. Ship lurches—Sailors grab for holds to keep from getting tossed.
.
Laura: (offstage.. as she
attempts to climb down into hold, stumbles, )
Child: (offstage)
Mama!
Lights: Lightening.
Sound: Crack of thunder.
Hold is still
dark. Noises of the accident are
heard: Child crying.
Voice: What happened?
Child: Mama!
Passenger
“lights” a lantern. We see several
people huddled around the base of the stairs
where Laura is seen fallen, injured.
Isaac: (comes from his
stateroom, pushes through crowd, examines his wife, then calls out)
Dr. Robbins! Quick. Laura's hurt and
she's gone into labor.[36]
Lantern light out in hold
Sound: storm howling for a few seconds.
Lantern lit on deck. Sailor is holding
it, swaying with the ships motion.
Richardson: (shouting) How can this be? There has never been such a storm on the
Pacific Ocean! It's as if the devil rages in the skies, driving us out of the
harbor
each time we try to enter. At this rate we'll be blown clear back to
the Horn.
Brannon: But if we can't
make it to Valparaiso, we die. The
water is all but gone.
Richardson: There is one
chance.
Brannon: Anything!
Richardson: Several
hundred miles away, there's an island.
Inhabited.
At least it used to be.
Brannon: And water?
Richardson: Plenty of it.
Brannon: Then do it![37]
Lights out.
Storm sounds
fade away
Set Change: Deck railing
removed. Table and benches, doors and
beds of hold removed.
They could be hidden behind the upstage curtains. The stairs to
the hold could have two planks attached over the face to serve as a gang plank
from which passengers can come down, then go up again. On stage some logs, a few suggestions of
plants, vines with vegetables fastened to kitchen trays or flat objects so they
can be set about at random and quickly.
See appendix.
Lights up on library.
Librarian: What a terrible thing to happen! After all they had gone through!
David:
I thought the biscuits crawling with maggots sounded bad enough, but to
face
starvation,
face dying from lack of water, while you stare at an ocean full of it?
Librarian: (nods in
agreement, emotionally stirred by the tragedy, shakes her head) Terrible
to think
about. And what about that woman, Laura
Goodwin, that fell down into the hold?
Isn’t she the one with all those children? I wonder what happened to her.
David:
One of these records must have included mention of that. (starts looking
again)
Librarian: The children would have been devastated (she is skimming records also).
The
little boy that she was holding, he was probably too young to understand.
But
the youngest girl—Nancy. (shakes her head in concern) She would know her
mother was
seriously injured.
David: (pulling out a
paper) I think I found
something. It says they made the island
in time
to save most of the passengers. (look at each other, relieved) But
Laura Goodwin
had internal injuries they couldn’t
treat. Realizing that she was dying,
she begged
them not to bury her at sea, clung
desperately to every breath. When land
was
spotted, she died.
On stage, group
of men carry Laura Goodwin in and set her down, others, carrying shovels
continue past her and off stage as the Goodwin children gather around their
mother’s remains, clinging to her clothes, ad lib their sorrow. Horners, Robbins, Stark, etc. huddle in
background as Brannon offers these words:
Brannon: Brothers and
Sisters. We gather here to mourn the
passing of our Sister, Laura
Goodwin. And although we will miss her, this parting is only
temporary. Our
bodies and spirits will be
reunited.
Jesus Christ
gives us comfort and peace at a time such as this, for He said, “I am the
resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet
shall he live.”[38] One day we will be united with loved ones.
Isaac: (pulling them gently away). Come along, children.
Pall bearers, pick up Laura and carry her off stage.
Nancy: No. We can’t leave Mama. She’ll be all alone here.
Isaac: She won’t be
lonely, my darling. Perhaps Mother will
stay for a moment to kiss
you each goodbye, but then she will go
up to heaven and wait for us to join her.
Isaac: (Pulling her into his arms) It isn't your
turn, Nancy. Mother has gone ahead to
get
our house in heaven ready for us, just like she always does.
Nancy: Like she always
does? And will she make us ginger cake,
up there?
Isaac: I wouldn't be
surprised. (he picks up the little Albert and takes Lucinda by the hand)
Music: plaintive theme of Laura’s song begins.
Elizabeth: (seeing that he
must manage so many children, comes for Nancy)
It's time to get back on the ship, my
dear.
Nancy: (sobbing) Oh, Elizabeth. I want my
Mama![39]
Music No. 9: This I Know
Elizabeth (sings):
THINK OF HOW YOUR DEAR MOTHER
FELL ASLEEP LAST NIGHT.
NO MORE PAIN AND
SORROW AS SHE REACHED FOR THE LIGHT.
THERE SHE MET
THE SAVIOR AND HIS LOVE FILLED THE AIR
AS HE WELCOMED
HER HOME AGAIN. SHE’LL BE WAITING
THERE.[40]
Nancy: But, doesn't she
want to come back to see us? I'm afraid she'll forget me.
Elizabeth: She won't ever
forget you. She'll know when you need
her and she'll be there.
In time, you will
understand.
(sings)
FAMILIES ARE FOREVER. GOD HAD TOLD ME SO.
YOU WILL NEVER
WALK ALONE. THIS I KNOW.[41]
Nancy: But I need Mama now.
Elizabeth: Then let’s be
quiet together, so we can hear.
Laura: (dressed in white,
enters during the child's request and sings, as she takes
Nancy into her
arms. Nancy is not aware and is facing
Elizabeth, but then gazes
upward, with a
look of hope on her face.)
FAMILIES ARE FOREVER. GOD HAS MADE IT SO.
Elizabeth (takes Nancy and
draws her back to the ship)
Laura (reaches out to touch
her daughter gently on the head, then begins to withdraw,
As she continues
to sing):
I WILL ALWAYS WALK WITH YOU.
Elizabeth and Laura: THIS
I KNOW. THIS I KNOW.
Lights out. Island
scenery removed.
Lights up on Library History section.
David: (pointing out
sections on his paper) Even though arrival at the island brought such a
sorrowful event, it meant that the
remaining passengers were spared. They
were able
to rest, bathe, and wash their clothes.
Librarian (gasping):
I hadn’t thought of their clothes.
Imagine being on a ship without a
laundry? Oooo!
David: I suppose they
hauled in seawater in barrels and washed them on the ship.
Librarian: Wouldn’t that
make their clothes salty?
David: That’s probably
true! (gives gesture of disgust) That fresh water on the
island must have been a welcome
relief. I see here (picking up his
paper) the
island had been cultivated for farming. Planted, then abandoned.
Librarian: (reaches for
the page, then looks it over) So,
they rested a week, then set sail for
the Sandwich Islands. The hold was bulging with fresh vegetables,
fruit, meat, and
clear spring water. The warm weather and smooth ocean made the
journey to Oahu
pleasant. That’s good! (she
holds up the map, puzzling over the trip, points to the
island, then to Hawaii) Hmm, I wonder how far that is?
David: I’m working on that
(has been scribbling on a piece of paper while she was reading)
Look!
They made history. I think it
might be the longest continuous sea journey ever recorded-- for a ship carrying
religious refugees, anyway. As I figure
it, (points to his scribbles) 24,000 miles of rolling waves.
Librarian: That’s further
than the Mayflower went, that’s for sure.
David: (meanwhile
looking for other documents, comes up with something) Wow!
Here’s
something unexpected. While they were on their voyage, the United
States declared
war on Mexico. That meant by heading for California, they might be sailing right
into an armed conflict![42]
Librarian: For people
escaping from the United States, they would not be considered
friendly to either side, would
they? The Mexicans would take one look
at the
Brooklyn and think it was Americans
coming to fight. The United States
military
might consider them hostile.
David: Let’s see when they
arrived in California. That should tell
us…(searching) Here it
is--July 31, 1846.
Librarian: (who was also searching) The war with Mexico was from 1846 to
1848. They
arrived right in the middle of it.
Both: (look at each
other, alarmed)
Lights out on Library, up on ship’s deck.
Sailor: (standing at
railing with spyglass.) Captain!
Look. There it goes again.
Harbor seals or sea lions Hard to tell which. San Francisco Bay has got to be out in
that fog somewhere.
Richardson: (takes glass, has a look) Yes, I see something jumping.
Brannon: That's a
wonder. The mist is as thick as a
winter's robe.[43]
Sailor: Not out that
way. It appears to be thinning.
Crowd: (noises of
excitement, pointing, etc.)
Richardson: (continues
without pause) When we saw those gulls yesterday, everyone got
so excited, I don't think they even went
to bed.
Sailor: Who can blame
them. I'll be glad to feel land under
my feet again. Six months
is a long, long time.
2nd Sailor: (approaches
rapidly, interrupting) Captain, there appears to be a warship in the
bay.
Crowd: (reacts
fearfully to sighting of warship).
Sound: Warship salutes with cannons.
Brannon: What do those
shots mean? Trouble?
Richardson: (relieved)
No, sir. It's a welcome. That’s a U.S. ship. (turning to a sailor)
Sound an answer, ensign.
Sailors (raise muskets)
Richardson: On my
mark. Ready.....Fire![44]
Crowd begins to cheer and wave.
John, (hugging Elizabeth):
Welcome to California! We’ve
made it!
Elizabeth: At last!
Crowd (ad lib their happiness)
Passengers leave
the stage and return again with crates or luggage; deck railing is removed. The stage becomes dry land. The stairs into the hold could be covered
with two boards to create a gang plank down which the passengers can descend.
David: Well, that finishes the story of the
Brooklyn voyage. There’s plenty of
information
here for my report.
(starts stacking up the papers, getting ready to go home) Thank
you for helping me.
I should pay you for your time (pulls a $20 bill from his pocket).
Librarian: (refusing the money) No! My pleasure. I enjoyed it.
David: (keeps the bill in his hand) It
certainly makes me feel differently toward the
pioneers.
How did they find the courage to endure? I don’t know if I
could do that.
Librarian: Fortunately, we don’t have to. Ours is a different time. But I see a lesson in this
for all of us.
Do you realize that their story holds the secret to successful
life? They knew how to find the
strength to do what was needed.
David: They believed, they endured, and kept on
going until they did what they intended.
David: I agree.
(thoughtful for a moment, letting it sink in, then picks up his
papers to
leave) Well, I’d better get going. (offering the bill once again) Are you sure you
won’t take this?
Librarian: I’m certain.
David: (looking at it thoughtfully) Huh!
(looks to
her, pointing to the bill) You know, it says it all right here.
Librarian: It does?
(reads) Oh,--you mean, “In God We Trust.”
David: (nods in agreement) That’s it!
Lights out on Library, up on stage.
Scene
15: The Peninsula of Yerba Buena
Music No. 10: YERBA BUENA (dance)
(A hoe-down rhythm starts up
and callers are lit. They begin their square-dance "call"
passengers express in dance
motions what the callers describe.)
THAT OLD SHIP, IT EMPTIED
FAST.
CARGO FROM THE HOLD WAS
PASSED.
ALL OUR FOLK, THEY CAME
PREPARED
TO BUILD A TOWN. THEY REALLY CARED. [45]
REFRAIN: (dance
music for the unloading)
SOME PAPER AND A PRINTING
PRESS,
DRY GOODS FOR A LOVELY
DRESS.
FARMING TOOLS--A FORK AND
HOE.
SEEDS TO MAKE A GARDEN GROW.
REFRAIN: (Some enact a planting scene,
some use the fabric to dance)
OUR CHILDREN, THEY MUST READ
AND WRITE.
SEE THE SCHOOL BOOKS. WHAT A SIGHT!
HEBREW, MATH, ASTRONOMY.
EDUCATED THEY WILL BE!
REFRAIN: (children and youth grab
books and dance)
BLACKSMITHS, CARPENTERS AND
COOKS
CHANGE THE WAY THIS HAMLET
LOOKS.
A CHURCH, A SCHOOL, A
BUSINESS TOO,
AND BRAND NEW HOUSES, QUITE
A FEW.
REFRAIN: (enact construction as part
of dance, every with exaggerated politeness.)
BECAUSE THEY PRAYED TO GOD
ABOVE.
HE SENT strength THROUGH HIS GREAT LOVE.
BUILD A TOWN, THEY HAD TO
DO.
PERSERVERENCE GOT THEM
THROUGH,
REFRAIN: dancers finish up the scene with
jubilation
AT THE END OF EACH LONG DAY
THE PIONEERS WOULD PAUSE TO
PRAY
AS THEY BUILT OR TILLED THE
SOD,
EACH ONE TURNED A HEART TO
GOD.
(dancers take their places to form final stage picture.)
Passengers and antiphonal
choir sing[46]:
Hear
us, Heavenly Father, as we kneel in prayer,
Through
trials and afflictions we know that thou are there.
When
winds and waves beset us, when life seems dark and bleak,
We
humbly kneel before Thee; Thy mercy we do seek.
When
dark the night, we seek thy might,
For
darkness flees thy light.
Men: Trials may beset us. Enemies defraud.
Stand
with faith unshaken, for Jesus is our God, our God.
Women: Our faith will grow. Thy blessings flow.
In
reverence, awed, we serve our God, our God.
AND HE WILL BE OUR GOD, OUR
GOD.
The End
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SHIP BROOKLYN PASSENGER LIST
* Died at sea (12) + Born at sea (2) [ ] Age at time of voyage
ADDISON, Isaac. [36], wife Eliza [33], children: daughter.
ALDRICH, Silas* [43], wife Prudence Clark [43], children: Jasper, Nancy Laura [17] (married 1st Alondus BUCKLAND,
2nd James BUCKLAND.)
ATHERTON, William [32], wife Emily [27].
AUSTIN, Julius Augustus Caesar [36], wife Octavia Ann Lane [32], children: Louisa Maria [7], Edwin Nelson [5],.
Newton Francis [2].
BIRD, Elizabeth Wallace [1 mo]. (traveled with Stark, father went overland)
BRANNAN, Samuel [27], wife Anna Eliza Corwin [24], child: Samuel, Jr. [2 mo].
BUCKLAND, Hannah Daggett [43], sons: Aldonus de Lafayette [20], James Daggett [18].
BULLEN, Newell [37], wife Clarissa Judkins Atkinson [35], children: Francis Andrew [8], Hershel [6], Cincinnatus [3].
BURR, Nathan [58], wife Chloe Clark [50], sons: Amasa [34].
BURR, Charles Clark [29] (son of Nathan & Chloe), wife Sarah Sloat [24], children: Charles Elias Washington*,
John Atlantic+.
CADE, Jonathan [64], wife Suzannah [58].
CLARK, William Swires, sister Sophie Patterson CLARK [22].
COOMBS, Abraham [41], wife Olive Curtis [26], children: Katherine [12], Marion Charles [5], Helen Mars [3].
CORWIN, Frances M. [42] (Mother-in-law of Samuel BRANNAN.)
EAGAR, Lucy Buell [42], children: John [23], Mary [18], Thomas [16], Arabelle [13], William [10].
ENSIGN, Elias*, wife Jerusha [36], children: Eliza*, John, Warren [18].
EVANS, William [34], wife Hannah Benner [34], children: Amanda [12], Jonathan Benner [8], Parley Pratt [6],
William H. [4]
FARNSWORTH, Alphonso. (Uncle of Laura Farnsworth SKINNER.)
FISHER, Joseph R. [24], sister Mary Ann FISHER [23].
FOWLER, Jerusha [27], children: Thomas [8], George [6], John Jr. [4], baby son*.
GLOVER, William [33], wife Jane Cowan [29], children: Jane [8], Katherine [4], Joseph Smith [1].
GOODWIN, Isaac [35], wife Laura Hotchkiss* [33], children: Emerette [13], Isaac Hotchkiss [11], Lewis Hotchkiss [9],
Edwin Abijah [6], Nancy Ellen [4], Lucinda Ludelia [3], Albert Story [1].
GRIFFITHS, Jonathan [32], wife Sarah [32], sons: Jackson, Marshall.
HAMILTON, Mary [56]. (Mother-in-law of Quartus SPARKS).
HASKELL, Ashbell Green [48].
HAYES, Jacob [52].
HICKS, Joseph [36].
HORNER, John Meirs [25], wife Elizabeth Imlay [20] (not LDS).
HYATT, Elisha [30], wife Matilda [35], son: Caleb. or John {16].
IRA (IREA), Cyrus [22].
JAMISON, John Reed Clark [4]. (Son of Hannah Tucker REED.)
JONES, Isabella [38].
JOYCE, John [24], wife Caroline Augusta Perkins [21], child: Augusta [1].
KEMBLE, Edward C. [19].
KITTLEMAN, John [50], wife Sarah [38], sons: Thomas [27], George, William (see below).
KITTLEMAN, William [39], wife Eliza Hindman [34], children: Elizabeth Jane [14], Mary Ann , James, George,
Sarah [4 mo] & twin Hannah [4 mo].
KNOWLES, Richard [58], wife Sarah Rostirn [54], children: Thomas, Caroline, Sarah.
LADD (alias Johnson), Samuel [27]. (Major)
LANE, Emeline Armanda [21], (youngest sister of Octavia Austin).
LEIGH, Isaac [27], wife Achsah [24], son: Albert.
LIGHT, James [36], wife Mary Jane [26], daughter: Mary Elizabeth.
LINCOLN, Seth.
LOVETT, Angeline M. [19]. (Married Thomas KITTLEMAN.)
MARSHALL, Earl [47], wife Letitia Dorsey [47].
MARSTON, Edward, wife Sarah Still (daughter of George STILL.)
McCUE, Patrick [55], wife Esther [43], sons: James B. [15], Solomon B. [6], Amos W. [3], William K. [1].
MEDER, Moses A. [42], wife Sarah D. Blod [40], duaghter: Angeline [13].
MOSES, Ambrose Todd [51], wife Lydia Ensign [46], children: Norman S. [15], Pheobe Maria [14],
Ann Frances [12], Clarissa Cordelia [7].
MOWREY (Morey), Barton [47], wife Ruth Walkup [47], sons: Origan [21], Eugene Rhanaldo [18].
MURRAY, Mary [36].
NARRAMORE, Edwin*, wife Mercy M. [45?], children: one son*, Edwin, Jr. (Disembarked in Hawaii.)
NICHOLS, Joseph [31], wife Jerusha Bull [27], sons: Enos [2], Joseph* [2 mo].
NUTTING, Lucy Jane [20].
OAKLEY, Howard.
PELL, Elijah Ward [40], wife Mattie or Seba {45], daughters: Hettie, Geraldine.
PETCH (Petz), Robert [50], wife Mary [42], children: SalLibrarian [11], Richard [6].
PHILLIPS, John [33].
POOLE, Mary Crammer [57], children: Robert William, Elizabeth Margaret Frances [24], Peter John [23], Hester Elvira.
REED (Read), Christianna Gregory [45], children: Hannah Tucker Jamison [24], Mary Ellen, John H. [17],
Christianna Rachel [15].
ROBBINS, Charles [31], (brother to Isaac and John).
ROBBINS, Isaac Rogers [41], wife Mary Ann Shinn Burtis [35], children: Joseph Reeves [12], Wesley Burtis [5],
Margaret Burtis [2].
ROBBINS, John Rogers (Dr.) [36], wife Phebe Ann Wright [34], children: Charles Burtis [11], George Edward* [6],
John Franklin* [1],
Georgiana Pacific+.
ROLLINS (Rowland), James Henry [55], children: Isaac [17], Jane (wife of Thomas TOMKINS.0
SAVAGE, Susan Eliza [20].
SCOTT, James [34].
SIRRINE, George Warren [27], ( brother of John, married Emeline Amanda LANE.).
SIRRINE, John [34], wife Nancy Smith [26], son: George J. [1], (went for health, not LDS).
SKINNER, Horace Austin [28], wife Laura Ann Farnsworth [26], son: James Horace [4].
SMITH, Orin [40], wife Mary Ann or Amy Ann Dodd Hopkins [35], children: Henry M. [14], Eliza or Ellen M. Hopkins[10],
Amelia A [9], Emily M. Hopkins [7], Frank or Francis [3], Orrin Hopkins [6 mo] (died in Hawaii where disembarked).
SMITH, Robert [33], wife Catherine Clark [28], children: Daniel Clark [2], Hyrum Joseph [1], Mary Catherine.
SNOW, Selnora [22], (Married William Glover.).
SPARKS, Quartus Strong [25], wife Mary Holland Hamilton [24], son: Quartus Strong, Jr. [8 mo].
STARK, Daniel [25], wife Ann Cook [24], son John Daniel [4 mo].
STILL, George [65], wife Mary [41], daughters: Laura, Julia, Sarah.
STIVERS, Simeon [20]. (Nephew of Earl & Letitia MARSHALL.)
STOUT, William [30], wife Mary Ann [18], child: Malone ?.
STRINGFELLOW, Jesse A. [22].
TOMPKINS, Thomas [29], wife Jane Rollins [26], children: Amanda [4], Jane Elizabeth [3].
VON PFISTER, Edward (not LDS).
WARD, Frank. (not LDS).
WARNER, Caroline E. [34], (husband went overland), children: Myron, Sarah [6], Henry J. [2].
WINNER, George King H. [39], wife Mary Ann [37], children: Elizabeth [17], Mary Ann [17] (twin), Louise [15],
Emmagene, Dembra [7], Moroni [3], Israel J.* [1], Sarah* [4 mo].
CREW OF THE SHIP BROOKLYN
Abel W. Richardson Master and part owner
J. W. Richardson Mate (Red-headed nephew of Captain Richardson.)
James W. Haskell 2nd Mate
William Smith Steward (black)
Joseph Newbury Cook (black)
Lewis A. Wilmot Seaman
James Nichols Seaman
Curtis Child Seaman
John E. Mills Seaman
Albert Stewart Seaman
John Thomas Carpenter
William Mays Seaman
Daniel Clark Seaman
Thomas Clausin Seaman
Charles Johnson Seaman
Martin S. Penfield Seaman
Benjamin R. Austin Seaman
[1] California Saints, Cowan and Homer, 1995, p. 39.
[2] ---info to be found
[3] Illinois Historical Markers, www.
[4] Erastus Snow, Life of a Missionary and Pioneer, Andrew Karl Larson, 1971, p. 63.
[5] Doyle L. Green, “John M. Horner, California’s First Farmer,” The Improvement Era, April 1951, p. 244
[6] D&C 101:16;”The Times in Which We Live,” Oct. Conference 2001 Hinkley; 1 Kings 19:12; D&C 85:6; 1 Nephi 10:17
[7] Titus 1:2; Moses 1:39; 2 Nephi 2:16, 27; “Weightier Matters,” BYU Devotional, Dallin Oaks, 9 Feb 1999.
[8] http://www.jwha.info/mmff/exorder.htm
[9] For examples see History of Church, VII p. 486-488
[10] Read History of the Church 7:520-22; Times and Seasons 1 Dec 1845; “Some Went by Water” by Audrey Gertsch, p 1-2; “Voyage of the Brooklyn,” Lorin K. Hansen, p. 47.
[11] OrigLibrarianlly in New York Messenger 1845, Times and Seasons 6 (1 Feb. 1846) 1112-14; also California Saints, Richard O. Cowan and William E. Homer, Religious Studies Center, BYU, 1996, p. 24.
[12] Conway B. Sonne, Ships, Saints, and Mariners, SLC, University of Utah Press 1987 p. 32: The ship was 125 x 28 feet. Picture of ship, Cowan and Homer, p. 35.
[13] For further details, read Cowan and Homer, p. 28-29; History of Church VII pp 578-591, Hansen, p. 48.
[14] Information on passengers read Carter 1960 (listed by family). See also The Brooklyn Association; Jack Marshall patjack@inreach.com.
[15] Cowan and Homer, p. 25, Gertsch, p. 4.
[16] Cowan and Homer, p. 23
[17] Passenger Lists: The Friend, 1 July 1846, Honolulu, HI Vol. IV No. XIII; also Hansen, pp. 69-72.
[18] See “John M. Horner…Californias First Farmer” Doyle L. Green, editor, Improvement Era, April 1951, p. 245; Hansen, p. 49.
[19] Cowan and Homer, pp. 29-30; see also Times and Seasons, 15 Feb 1846; Goodwin Family History, “The Brooklyn”, p. 160.
[20] Description of sailors and passengers during storm provided by Robert Aitchison, Santa Rosa, CA, who sailed on square riggers for a number of years.
[21] The Mormons in California, William Glover, Los Angeles, Glen Dawson, 1954, pp. 13-14; Cowan and Homer, pp. 30-31.
[22] Glover, p. 14; Hansen pp. 52-53.
[23] Text by William Cowper, music by William B. Bradbury (Hymn 285, Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985).
[24] California Mormons by Sail and Trail, Annaleone D. Patton, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 1961, p. 8.
[25] “How Firm a Foundation,” included in the first hymn collection of the church, attributed to Robert Keen; based on Isaiah 41:10; 43:1-2; Hebrews 13:5. See also Helaman 5:12 and Stories of our Mormon Hymns, Spencer Cornwall, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 1963, p. 78-80.
[26] This incident was reported by letter to the New York Journal of Commerce 26 Aug 1846. Whereas the passenger who prayed with Richardson was unidentified, we allowed John Horner to represent that person.
[27] For details of deaths and births on Brooklyn, see http://www.shipbrooklyn.org; Patten, p. 8.
[28] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 107, 196; Further Reading: “Salvation of Children” in Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie, Salt Lake City, Bookcraft 1966.
[29] Hansen, p. 53; Patten, p. 8, Job 1:21.
[30] Hansen, p. 57.
[31] 2 Nephi 2:26-30; 10:23; Alma 13:3; Helaman 14:31; Moses 4:3; Matthew 5:45; D&C 101:35-38; Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 161.
[32] Crocheron’s account written 1888, quoted by Hansen, p. 58.
[33] Account of Augusta Joyce Crocheron, quoted in Carter, p. 506.
[34] D&C 84:88; 68:6; John 14:27; Mark 5:35-36
[35] Cowan and Homer, p. 34;
[36] Goodwin Family History, p. 162.
[37] Details of Storm near Valparaiso: Hansen, p. 58.
[38] David R. Crockett, "The Voyage of the Brooklyn," www.indirect.com/www/crockett/brooklyn.html., John 11:25; further reading: McConkie, p. 637.
[39] Crocheron quoted by Hansen, p. 59.
[40] John 14:2; 2 Nephi 9:41, Luke 23:43.
[41] , “The Family,” Henry B. Eyring, Liahona, Oct. 1998, 12; “Families are Forever,” David B. Haight, Friday Afternoon Session, General Conference, October 1, 1976; “The Spirit Giveth Life,” Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1985.
[42] Cowan and Homer, p. 36.
[43] Augusta Joyce Crocheron account printed in Carter, p. 506.
[44] Cowan and Homer, p. 53;
[45] Times and Seasons, 15 February, 1846.
[46] Adney Y. Komatsu, “After Much Tribulation Come the Blessings,” Ensign, November 1979, p. 68.