Miraculous preservation of the S.S. Arizona after colliding with an iceberg
Published October 5, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Contributed by
Millennial Star Research
On November 7, 1879, at approximately 8:45 p.m., the Guion Line steamship S.S. Arizona struck an immense iceberg while traveling at about 16 knots from New York to Liverpool. The collision severely damaged the bow, stoving in the bulkhead; roughly 200 tons of ice landed on the ship, anchors and chains were broken, and a large hole near or below the waterline let water flood the damaged area. Two or three sailors were briefly trapped in the ice. The ship’s seven compartments were reported as helping prevent it from sinking. Latter-day Saint passenger and missionary Henry A. Dixon described the iceberg as a bluish-white cloud about 50 feet high and the collision as a shocking sight. Amid passenger panic, Dixon gathered the elders aboard—including Wm. H. Coray, John L. Jones, and Jos. Vickers—to pray for the vessel’s safety, a calm sea, and wisdom. Dixon also went on deck during the night to pray and rebuke the winds and waves. The ship and those aboard were preserved.
In Their Own Words
“Aboard the S. S. Arizona . Friday November 7, 1879. About 8:45 p.m. engine stopped and we felt a sudden shock, we were about having our evening prayers. Before we could do so we rushed on deck thinking we had struck a vessel, when lo and behold we had struck an immense iceberg. We were going at the rate of 16 knots an hour. The force was so great as to completely stove in our bulkhead or bow, leaving about 200 tons of ice on the forecastle bulkhead. Broke both anchors, one chain was tested to hold 12 tons. Shocking site to behold. A very large hole in her, just above the water edge. Four thousand gallons of water in the bulkhead. Two or three sailors buried in ice in the forecastle, some time before they could get out. One hurt very badly. It was a clear night, the iceberg looked similar to a bluish-white cloud looming up about 50 feet. An awful, grand sight. The boats were ordered to be loosed from the davids ready if needed. Considerable excitement on board. A Presbyterian minister with satchel in hand was ready to look to No. 1. Some of the women were terribly excited. We were from 240 to 250 miles from St. John's, Newfoundland. Steaming eight or nine knots an hour, notwithstanding her situation. The Arizona steamship of the Guion Line, is built in seven compartments. Went below to our cabins, prayed frequently according to the order of the priesthood, for a calm sea and no wind, as this is apparently our salvation temporarily. During the night we went on deck and while alone, rebuked the winds and waves. We have a calm sea. Prayers answered. Also prayed for a vessel to come to our rescue, if necessary, and wisdom to be given to the captain, and prince of power and air to have no control, at this time. Committed ourselves to God. In talking to some of the passengers, I promised no lives should be lost or ship either, in the name of the Lord.”
— Henry A. Dixon, journal entry
Sources & References
The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 18 November 1889 (Vol. 51, No. 46). https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1889-11-18_51_46 (account extracted verbatim from the issue's Internet Archive OCR text; research confidence: high) Additional sources (periodical research): Taylor, Clarence D. … The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, 24 November 1879 (Vol. 41, No. 47). https://archive.org/details/per_utah-and-the-mormons_the-latter-day-saints-millennial-star_1879-11-24_41_47 (account extracted verbatim from the issue's Internet Archive OCR text; research confidence: high) Additional sources (periodical research): Clarence D. Taylor, …
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