A. H. Cannon's Divine Preservation During Violent Sea Storm

“In the year 1881 I was requested by the president of the Swiss and German Mission to accompany a small number of emigrating German Saints from Hamburg to Liverpool, at which latter place arrangements were to be made for the further journey, there being no returning Elder who could speak the language. We embarked one beautiful evening in a vessel that was loaded with a considerable cargo of export products, and comparatively little room was left for the accommodation of passengers. After some time, however, all were comfortably located, and the journey began. By the next morning a violent storm was in progress, and all the passengers were sick. As the day wore on there was no sign of abatement of the storm, but it rather increased in violence. The ship began to take in water, and one of the masts was broken off, leaving the vessel in a very unmanageable condition. The captain, a man of fifty years' experience at sea, declared it to be the most violent storm he had ever witnessed. The wealthy passengers were in despair, and many of them were crying and praying in their agony. I felt as calm as my sea-sickness would permit, and was confident that we would safely reach our destination. I so assured my fellow-travelers, but they only looked at me with questioning eyes. I told them vessels containing Mormons never sank. They hoped not, but shook their heads doubtfully. The Saints were the only complacent passengers aboard. We were tossed about for several days, but finally reached our destination in safety, and I have often thought of the contrast between the faith of the Saints and the fear of those who knew not God.”

— Abraham H. Cannon, Millennial Star 57:14