Tracing the worldly travels of


through her well-kept archive of
nautical journals and memoirs
in the year 1853
Sarah Nitchie Howland
 SARAH SAILS Slide Sarah accompanied her husband



on a 10-month voyage
around the world
in 1853 Captain
Williams Howland They traveled with their intelligent and inquisitive 2-year old son Willie Slide Determined I am to keep a journal and when I have once fairly commenced I know it will be a pleasure – the very act of scribbling of thoughts, feelings and occurrences. Also it will be most pleasant to review at some future day – if I may be so happy as to see it – and then, if my Willie lives and I can in any way make this interesting, what a treasure it will be for him to look back upon and know somewhat of the doings and thoughts of his parents and self in younger days. Sarah kept a beautifully written Journal
of the entire journey
in which she wrote nearly every day
not only about life at sea
and the exotic places they visited
during interesting times
but also sharing her views on
social, political and religious
issues of the day
 Captain Howland
commanded
THE SEA SERPENT An extreme clipper
One of the fastest of its day Slide New York
around Cape Horn
to San Francisco
across the Pacific Ocean
to Hong Kong, Macao & Canton
across the Indian Ocean
around the Cape of Good Hope
a stop in St. Helena
and back to New York AROUND THE WORLD

IN 313 DAYS! The journey began in
New York Harbor
February 12, 1853
The Gold Rush...dirt roads...
lively entertainment...
old Missions...duels...
and a Chinese Exhibition!
First Stop ...
SAN FRANCISCO June 1-12, 1853 SARAH read at least 50 books...wrote letters home...
mended clothes...and kept a JOURNAL!
OVER 200 DAYS AT SEA

WILLIE loved playing on deck and reading with his mom
SARAH & WILLIAMS often took 2 hour evening strolls on deck JULY 23-31, 1853
They spent a week with friends in Hong Kong

Beautiful gardens...
formal dinner parties...
and lovely walks by the sea
Then had their own home for a month in MACAO... AUGUST 1-SEPTEMBER 5, 1853 Commodore Matthew Perry
Naval Officer
Opening of Japan
Bayard Taylor
Author &
Diplomat The Howlands met
many interesting people
in Macao Gideon Nye
Merchant &
Philanthropist Dr. Peter Parker
Physician &
Missionary

 SEPTEMBER 6-9, 1853
They spent a few days in Canton before setting sail for the long trip home ST HELENA
NOVEMBER 14, 1853 The Sea Serpent made a day stop
at this remote volcanic isle in the middle of the south Atlantic
where Napoleon was exiled for
6 years until his death

They visited
Napoleon's residence
Longwood House
as well as his first tomb DECEMBER 20, 1853 The Sea Serpent arrived home
just in time for
Christmas! BACK TO NEW YORK Slide Read SARAH'S JOURNAL
to learn more about
Sarah, Williams & Willie
Places They Visited
People They Met
Life at Sea
and
The Mid-1800's THE JOURNEY BEGAN
FEBRUARY 12TH 2021

Journal Entries were entered on the days Sarah wrote
along with the information pertinent to that day

THE JOURNEY ENDED
DECEMBER 20TH 2021

THE WEBSITE IS NOW COMPLETE !
 Meet the Howlands arrow_downward

MEET THE HOWLANDS

Sarah Nitchie Howland

Sailing all around the world with her family yet longing for a home they can call their own.

Captain Williams Howland

An A1 Seaman and Navigator and a Gentleman of much dignity, who usually wore kid gloves when he came on deck.

Little Willie Howland

Only 2 years of age, inquisitive and intelligent, Willie has lived more of his life at sea than on shore.

FOLLOW THEIR JOURNEY

The Sea Serpent

This extreme clipper was a slender, rakish, handsome looking craft and it was one of the fastest of its day!

The Route

The 313 day journey took them

from New York to San Francisco

then the Far East…

the long way!

The largest city and busiest port in the United States

New York

VISIT

Gold Rush Days, Duels, and Lively Entertainment…the true Wild West!

San Francisco

VISIT

Little Willie had his first play date!

Hong Kong

VISIT

Beautiful Homes & Gardens…Elegant Dinner Parties…and Walks by the Sea!

Macao

VISIT

China Trade in the midst of Opium Wars and Rebellions

Canton

VISIT

The remote island on which Napoleon was exiled and died

St. Helena

VISIT

WITH 200 DAYS AT SEA –

HOW DID THEY PASS THE TIME ?

Reading

Sarah read over 50 books in a variety of genres

What did she read?

Pastimes

They played some of the same games we play today!

What did they play?

Writing

They wrote letters home and hoped to receive some in return!

WHOM DID THEY MEET?

Commodore Matthew Perry

The Commodore and his men were in Macao awaiting the Japanese response to  their request to open Japan for trade with the United States.

Dr. Peter Parker

American physician and missionary who introduced Western medical techniques into Qing Dynasty China.

Bayard Taylor

World traveler, famous author and distinguished diplomat, Bayard Taylor joined the Sea Serpent in Macao for the voyage home.

Gideon Nye

An American diplomat, writer and merchant in the East India and China trade, known both for his art collection and for his books on China.

What was happening in the year 1853 ??? A LOT!!!

The Gold Rush…

Opium Wars…

Table Moving…

and a Comet!!!

Find Out More

A STORY FOR THE AGES

Sarah’s beautiful words vividly describe

 long days at sea, the exotic places they visited, the interesting people they met,

and her innermost feelings about the social, political and religious issues of the day

Read Sarah’s Journal