Saints on the Seas: A Maritime History of Mormon Migration, 1830-1890

A Maritime History of Mormon Migration, 1830-1890

Author: Conway B. Sonne Series: University of Utah Publications in the American West

The maritime tradition is important to the history of proselytizing and migration in the Mormons. Small groups of energetic, dedicated, and resourceful missionaries traveled to every continent. Based on extensive research, this book chronicles the voyages of American, British, German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, and French ships.

Product Unavailable

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

Description

The maritime tradition is particularly important to the history of proselytizing and migration in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons. Small groups of energetic, dedicated, and resourceful missionaries traveled to every continent, and as a result of their activities, some 85,000 converts emigrated and helped colonize the American West. Based on extensive research, Saints on the Seaschronicles the voyages of approximately 300 American, British, German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, and French ships involved in the emigration.

Drawing on both federal and foreign government documents, as well as Mormon Church archives, newspapers, journals, personal letters, and other primary source materials, Conway Sonne presents a detailed picture of this arduous migration. Numerous appendixes present a wealth of information, including statistics on vessels, number of passengers, and passage times, as well as data on ship captains, and maritime disasters. Saints on the Seas is a unique source of material for historians, maritime buffs, and genealogists.

Critic Reviews

“Infused with the sort of salty detail that makes sea migration come alive." ”

"A wealth of information."
--Rough Draft
"Among the book's strengths are its fine writing, extensive research, and appendices that provide more data than the average reader could ever dream of wanting to know about the ships and their devout passengers."
--Utah Historical Quarterly
"Infused with the sort of salty detail that makes sea migration come alive."
--Transcript Bulletin

About the Author

Conway B. Sonne is a trustee of the National Maritime Museum Association, former financial officer of Standard Oil, and the author of Ships, Saints, and Mariners (University of Utah Press, 1987).