Note: For serious researchers only.  Very hard to read, as is the original.

Route as traced via Google Maps.

Audio excerpts from the entire letter (mp3 format) Voiceover by Nancy Burnett (burnetnc@oneonta.edu), Communication Arts Department, SUNY College at Oneonta.

1851 Letter from Harvey Seaman to parents in Delancey, Delaware County, NY describing a trip by sail from NY to California via Cape Horn.

Excerpts from page 7:

"The next day the winds moderated down to a gentle breeze, and before night we were on the Great Pacific..."

"We by this time had all become pretty well acquainted, and tricks of various kinds were played off on different ones..."

"Yet as long as the wind continued favourable we kept up good cheer, but when in Lat 14 North we met with our original fate, head winds, they continued for four weeks, during which time a more weary worne set of mortals, you never saw. We were allowanced on water, Hard bread, and Salt beef was our principal food..."

"There is another thing at sea, evry doing except within the circle of your vision is as a blank. I was desirous to hear of the affairs of the world, to know how friends were at home, for in these times, great changes and revolutions, are but the works of a little space...."