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From a diary of the journey we learn that the emigrants of 1849 did not escape the hardships suffered on the ocean voyage by those who had preceded them in 1847.
The following extracts from the diary, which is too long to give in full, will give present day readers some idea of the sacrifices made and the hardships suffered by the brave men and women who were ready to give up all the comforts and associations of their native land, in order to secure civil and religious liberty for themselves and their children.
John Hospers, the writer of the diary, was born at Amsterdam on the 30th of August, 1801. He taught school from an early age until he emigrated with his family and scores of other Hollanders to the state of Iowa. In the winter of 1848-49 Mr. Hospers, A. C. Kuyper and J. Maasdam united to act as a committee to promote a second exodus to North America. Kuyper had Rotterdam and vicinity, Maasdam took Utrecht and North Holland, and Hospers had charge of South Holland, North Brabant and Gelderland.
"Saturday, May 5. -- At 3:30 this morning the 'Franziska' set sail. The voyagers were summoned early to appear on deck, and there at the captain's request I read to them the ship's regulations for the preservation of order and cleanliness. We sailed with an east wind, slowly at first, but we soon lost sight of Holland. The wind grew stronger and we sailed three or four hours in one hour. At about 11 o'clock p. m. we could see the lights of England and France. Very few people free from seasickness.
"Wednesday, May 16. Making good headway. There is much preaching from God's word. Religious exercises every day as proposed are sometimes hindered by the wind and cold rains. To the prevailing seasickness one person has fallen a victim; a two-year-old child died last night at 11 o'clock. First, Maaike van Gorp.
"Friday, May 18. At 4 o'clock in the morning died Cornelius Louwe, second, of Goeree, 34 years of age. At 7 o'clock the passengers come out on deck; the first mate fastens the child's body to a canvas sack filled with stones and places the corpse on a board, which lies with one end resting on a cask and the other extending overboard. The captain stands at one end near the cask, reads solemnly in high German, then commands the seamen who stand on opposite sides of the board to let the corpse slide into the water. All stand with uncovered heads. At the captain's word Maasdam announces the singing of Psalm 103:8 and 9. The solemnity is impressive. Storm in the evening; much commotion in the ship.
"Saturday, May 19. Strong west wind. Mighty waves, one of which comes to make us a visit in the ship. The captain notifies me to let the body of C. Louwe overboard at half-past two o'clock, and asks me for a prayer book. After consultation with Maasdam and Kuyper we suggest to the captain that he read the 90th Psalm at the ceremony. The captain asks me to do so after the corpse is let down into the sea. The people are gathered on deck; the seamen are lined up on both sides of the plank which bears the body; the captain reads high German; and then the corpse is delivered to the waves. Hospers then reads Psalm 90, and announces the singing of Psalm 89:19. Storm from the northwest.
"Saturday, May 20. Northwest storm. Numerous waves enter the ship; the rolling and pitching is violent; everything rumbles and jolts and tosses and breaks. Prayer meeting in two groups. Great dejection reigns. Nothing can be cooked --only cold things to drink. Never in our life a more wretched Sunday. The