native fast and testimony meeting with the
Missionaries laboring in the Islands.
Some of the natives spoke in their native
language, which was very musical, and some in English. Some of the Saints from the ship
also bore their testimonies and the Spirit of the Lord was felt by all present. Soon after
sailing from the Hawaiian Islands, July 1 1846, a lad was discovered aboard, a stowaway
soldier deserted from the U S Army. He came in very handy in training the men in the use
of the musket and sword while the women were busy making uniforms from the denim.
Ship Brooklyn Reaches California
Upon reaching the Golden Gate Harbor, Captain
Richardson ordered all passengers to go down into the hold for fear of being caught with
armaments of war. After passing the Gate they were permitted to come on deck and put on
their uniforms, and the hold was unlocked, and Brannan passed out to each man a musket and
so many rounds of ammunition. They were then ready to enter in combat with the Mexicans.
Brannan's ambition was to be the hero in being the first one to hoist the American Flag on
the Western shores. Sailing along the placid waters of the Bay, passing the little town of
Yerba Buena, they saw the Stars and Stripes waving in the breeze. A moment later a Warship
came along side, from which a young officer came aboard the Brooklyn deck and saluted the
crowd of excited Mormons, "Ladies and Gentlemen", he said, "I have the
honor to inform you that you are now in the United States of America".
After a moment of silence a joyful cheer broke
forth. Captain John B Montgomery and the Warship Portsmouth had cheated Samuel Brannan of
his dream. But to the Mormons on the Brooklyn, who had sought peace, not war, there came a
conscious sigh of relief and satisfaction. Their haven was reached; their voyage had
ended. They were the first California settlers under the American Flag. Daniel records on
August 3, 1846, they began unloading the cargo of the Ship Brooklyn, and they stored the
household goods owned by some of the saints going westward overland to California.
The housing situation was a great problem, and
the foggy clouds gave the place a dismal greeting. Some found shelter from the chilling
winds in a small adobe on