Scandinavian Saints' preservation at sea

In November 1854, a company of Scandinavian Latter-day Saints departed Copenhagen bound for Liverpool on the steamer Cimbria to join the migration to America. During the voyage across the North Sea, the company encountered repeated, severe gales and tempestuous weather, forcing the vessel to turn back to harbor three separate times. The conditions at sea were hazardous, resulting in broken bulwarks and other damage to the ship. P. O. Hansen, reporting on the ordeal, observed that the adversary of their work, acting as 'prince of the power of the air,' sought to hinder their emigration. Despite these intense trials, the Saints remained preserved from all disaster. After enduring these circumstances for a month, they finally arrived in England, where they boarded the ship James Nesmith to continue their journey. Hansen noted that the Saints maintained excellent faith and patience throughout the experience, eventually leaving the port for their voyage to America with 'cheering prospects.'

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

We have obtained power but in part over the winds and waves; the great adversary of our work, knowing our purpose to facilitate the emigration of the Saints to the uttermost, and being himself prince of the power of the air, found this his most effectual, perhaps only, way to hinder, though he could not thwart, our operations. We thankfully acknowledge the merciful hand of God in preserving His people from all disaster during these untoward circumstances. The company of Saints from Scandinavia, numbering 335 souls, under the presidency of Elder P. O. Hansen, left Copenhagen on the 22nd of November, on the steamer Cimbria, for Liverpool. They encountered such severe weather in the North Sea, that they were obliged to put back to harbor three times. The vessel was much damaged, the bulwarks being broken, and other injuries sustained. They were a month on the passage, but were preserved from all disaster, and arrived in England in safety, where they embarked on the ship James Nesmith, for New Orleans, with cheering prospects.