William Fotheringham and brethren's protection during a perilous sea voyage

In late 1861, William Fotheringham and several companions, including Henry A. Dixon and John Talbot, traveled to South Africa. The voyage from England to Table Bay proved to be an exceptionally perilous 99-day journey. Fotheringham reported that they were frequently beset by severe gales, noting that the intensity of the elements was such that the captain was once compelled to turn the ship back out to sea to avoid being driven onto the shore and wrecked. During these trials, Fotheringham recorded his conviction that the 'Prince and power of the air' were actively opposing their mission and passage. Despite the extreme turbulence—which Fotheringham noted was worse than any tossing he had experienced in his significant time at sea—he testified that he remained sustained by the Spirit, which provided the brethren with the necessary wisdom and strength to endure the ordeal until their safe arrival in December 1861.

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

We arrived at Table Bay on the 16th of December, after a passage of 99 days, which was a very tedious and perilous one. We encountered several severe gales. It seemed as if the Prince and power of the air were determined to prevent us from getting to this country. I have sailed considerable, but such a tossing I never experienced before. We had to keep tolerably close to our cell in a gale, in order to avoid being washed into the lee scuppers and drenched by the broken seas which came on board. At one time the captain was obliged to turn the ship back and run before the wind, to avoid being driven on shore and wrecked. We were, however, sustained by the Spirit of the Lord, which gave us wisdom and strength to endure the trials of the voyage, and we arrived in safety.