Voyage from Europe to Boston
Maximilian’s expedition began with a 48-day voyage from Europe to America. Maximilian, Bodmer, and Driedoppel departed from the Dutch port of Helvoet on the brig Janus. Always at the mercy of the weather, the sail-powered ship was frequently subjected to violent storms, then becalmed by windless days.
June 4, 1832
Weather even fiercer. The big foresail is ripped into shreds during the night. In the morning a new one is spread; the crew completes this task around noon; therefore breakfast and lunch come together. Salt meat, cheese, and coffee. The food on this ship is altogether very poor. Everything very dirty. Rough, high sea; rain squalls and strong wind. In the evening the clouds part somewhat, and the wind shifts to the north and becomes gentler and more favorable to us. All the sails are set, and we proceed swiftly onward throughout the night. At noon, longitude of 23°57′.