Henry A. Dixon's Prophetic Assurance of Safety during the Arizona Collision

On November 7, 1879, at approximately 8:45 p.m., the SS Arizona—a Guion Line steamship traveling at 16 knots—struck an immense iceberg while 240 to 250 miles east of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The force of the impact buckled the bow and stove in the bulkhead, leaving 200 tons of ice on the forecastle and causing severe damage that extended below the water line the length of the keel. Four thousand gallons of water flooded the bulkhead, and anchors were torn from their chains. Elder Henry A. Dixon, who was preparing for evening prayers when the collision occurred, joined other Elders in exercising their priesthood, praying fervently for calm seas, the safety of all on board, and that the vessel would reach its destination. Despite widespread panic among passengers—some of whom prepared lifeboats or guarded their belongings—Dixon received a spiritual assurance of safety. He comforted passengers by promising, in the name of the Lord, that no lives would be lost and the ship would remain afloat. He and his companions continued to pray throughout the night, rebuking the winds and waves while the ship limped toward St. John’s at eight or nine knots. The vessel arrived in the harbor on November 9, where it was met by thousands of spectators. Reports later circulated that the ship's owner, Mr. Guion, had been told of the accident and expressed confidence in the vessel's safety specifically because of the presence of Latter-day Saint Elders on board, noting that in forty years of carrying them, no ship had ever been lost. Temporary repairs were performed in St. John’s before the vessel returned to Scotland.