Jaredite’s Journey by Sea
By Captain Richard Rothery, Ret.
Richard Rothery is a retired sea captain from Australia. Richard has agreed to share with you his thoughts about the journey and barges of the Jaredites. Richard, a member of the Church has spent over 40 years at sea. We are sure you will enjoy this fresh look at the Jaredites. Thank you Richard for sharing your thoughts with us.
The Nephi Project presents a Sea Captain’s insights of the Jaredites’ journey to the New World. The article that follows was written by Richard Rothery.
As a forward to my paper on transoceanic migration in general and in particular to the Jaredite voyage… We should fully understand that this contribution covers most of the essentials for a successful outcome of the voyage and will be understood fully only by those with a good understanding of all technical aspects of maritime voyaging, certainly not by our average member who should look for qualified assurance. Therefore, I suggest that a second opinion should be gained from one whose qualifications and experience are equal to if not better than my own .
I have read many papers touching on this subject and all prove disappointing as the writers, though well intentioned practicing scholars, are /were not qualified technically in marine sciences.
Biography…. For your information and re-assurance my experience totals 40 plus years sea service, starting from a boy in sailing skiffs, through a tough cadetship in the merchant marine, then exams for 2nd Mate to sail as 3rd Mate, then more sea service, then more exams for 1st Mate to sail as 2nd Mate, then more sea service, then final exams for Master mariner F.G.. As standard practice I had another six years sea service as 1st Mate before my first appointment as Master. Later on I sailed as second mate of a brigantine for two months, just for the added experience.
My maternal 2nd great grandfather was a purser in the Royal Navy for fifty years, five of those years as purser/secretary to his friend Admiral Lord Nelson. My father, two brothers and I all achieved foreign going Master, as high as one can go, qualified to command any foreign going vessel, so it was really a family tradition.
My experience covers most types of vessel, tin canoe, skiff, racing yacht, passenger/cargo, bulk carriers to 120,000 tons, oil tankers, Ro-Ro’s, coastal and overseas, to Singapore, Japan, Pacific islands, Canada, USA, South America, UK. To sea August 1944, so I had one year carrying military supplies in WW2. During my service at sea several typhoons in North Pacific/Japan, one cyclone off NW Australia and southern ocean storms all provided me with excellent experience in avoiding pitfalls by planning and action in accordance with the laws of meteorology and navigation. Ship handling in difficult situations brings much satisfaction. I obtained pilotage exemption certificates involving a thorough knowledge for the ports of Darwin, Newcastle, Sydney, Botany Bay, Port Kembla, Westernport, Burnie and Melbourne. So, in all those ports I brought my own ship in and out, fault free. Ship construction cargo stowage and stability was a favourite study of mine and is of prime importance for both safety and comfort, particularly here in the case of the Jaredites. I would even suggest that, with the same Master of all in charge, these specifications to varying degrees depending on necessity, might have applied to Noah’s ark and the ship Nephi built, the ultimate purpose of each being much the same.
My conversion to the Church back in 1958 came about because of questions which were finally answered quickly and logically by the missionaries and a feeling of testimony through the Holy Ghost when Moroni 10:4 gave me the assurance I was heading in the right direction. Reading Ether, I could see that questions regarding the construction and design of the barges and all facets of the Jaredite voyage required a technical understanding not appreciated by the lay person. However, because my profession required constant 24/7 concentration, and my time at home 24/7 family, it was not until retirement that I really put my mind to the subject of proving that the book of Mormon is logically fact… nothing far fetched. I knew it had to be; but was still a little elated when my calculations and designs proved positive. As I am probably one of very few if not the only person in the Church with the necessary qualifications to understand what we read in Ether about the barges and the voyage, I now want to let the world know that it could only be there by revelation and is therefore just another of hundreds of reasons the Church and Gospel are true and we are safely in His care so long as we do what is right.
Any Journey, whether by land, sea or air, just as our journey through mortality, requires careful planning to be successfully accomplished. Whether as mariners, airline pilots or astronauts, we need to know and implement the natural laws by which we can successfully accomplish the journey.
As we read the Book of Mormon, we are told in Ether 1:33-37, that Jared and his family and friends ‘came forth’ ‘from the great tower at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people’. ‘… the brother of Jared being a large and mighty man, and a man highly favoured of the Lord…’ when prompted by Jared, called upon the Lord. The Lord had compassion upon him, his brother and friends, and did not confound their language.
Verse 38 says Jared prompted his brother to enquire of the Lord whether they would be driven out of the land and that perhaps they could be taken to a land which is choice above all the earth and that by their faith they might receive it for their inheritance.
The Lord said in verse 41 , ‘Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every kind and thy families; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy friends and their families and the friends of Jared and their families.’ And in verse 42.. ‘and when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth.’ ‘And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.’ This is just another demonstration of the practical effectiveness of prayerful faith.
At the valley of Nimrod the Lord commanded them to ‘go forth into the wilderness where there never had man been.’ The wilderness area of that land lies to the south and west, so they would be virtually doubling back and heading down toward present day Oman, and perhaps, thus avoiding being caught by any villains out for their blood.
Obviously, Ether 2: 6, 7., are describing the journey to the promised land in it’s entirety. First they travel in the wilderness, then build barges and travel in them across (the) many waters (oceans and seas being many waters. ) (see also 1 Nephi 17:5 , ‘irreantum’ meaning ‘many waters’), being directed continually by the hand of the Lord. I interpret verse 7 as indicating they were not to stop and settle after crossing any sea but continue on to the land of promise. There would have been great temptation to remain permanently at any one of the stopovers where they replenished stocks of fodder for the animals.
This feed would be in the form of bales of dried grasses. Most of the food stocks for the people would consist of sun dried fruit, sun dried meat, grains and also honey, supplemented by fresh fish caught every day through the ‘hole in the bottom’. Sashimi is a delicacy and a favourite of mine. Fresh fruit and vegetables may also be obtained at the frequent stopovers on the voyage.
Abundant supplies of fresh water, up to about 10000 gallons, would be obtained by rain upon the deck, after rinsing the salt away, draining into the side tanks through stoppable valves. Replenished every time it rained and washed the deck clean.
These side tanks are not only important for storing water. They also add to the overall strength of the vessel. The winging out of weights and raising the centre of gravity by filling the tanks is very important to moderate the rolling period thus dramatically improving the comfort of those on board and helping to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessel. All similar to the principles behind a metronome.
Ether 2:13-15 says they eventually came to the great sea where they would build their barges. They named the place Moriancumer. They dwelt there in tents upon the seashore four years. Then the Lord came to the brother of Jared and talked with him for the space of three hours and chastened him because he had not remembered to call upon the name of the Lord for some time. The brother of Jared repented of the evil he had done. The Lord forgave him and his brethren of their sins but reminded him that His spirit would not always strive with man and if you sin until fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
In verse 16 they are told to get to work and build the barges, to the Lords instructions, ’after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built.’ Barges have always been used around Babylon on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers transporting cargoes. These, in particular, were small barges, light like a fowl, upon the water.
Verse 17 says they were exceedingly tight like a dish, top bottom and sides, peaked at the ends to provide more buoyancy lift there in big waves, the length of a tree (about 70ft) and a door which when shut was tight like a dish. This door would best be located in the bow to provide easy access when the bow is beached while the stern is held out in deep water by the anchors streamed out astern on each quarter and by which they can heave off into deep water upon departure. Like military landing craft. When loaded up the barges are trimmed by the stern. In other words drawing about 2 ft forward and 4 feet aft. This helps them maintain the stern to the weather by providing more windage forward. If all the barges are so trimmed they are less likely to damage each other if they close up to each other at sea.
In verse 18, the brother of Jared reports back to the Lord that he has done all that; but in verse 19 says there is no light inside the barges and ‘we cannot breath’ that air when all is closed up.
In verse 20 the Lord tells him to make a hole in the top for air and also in the bottom and if water comes in, in stormy weather, stop the holes that you don’t perish in the flood. This indicates the stormy weather would not last long enough for the air to foul too much. In fact the worst of most tropical storms is usually past in about twelve to eighteen hours from my experience.
Verse 24 suggests to some people that these craft were like submarines. Does ‘light like a fowl upon the water’ sound like a submarine? No.. However in typhoon conditions the seas would be breaking right over these barges causing those within to think they were under the water.
In chapter 3, the brother of Jared prepares 16 small stones molten and clear like glass, then expressing his faith, asks the Lord to touch the stones with his finger that they may give light within the barges.
In verse 6 the Lord actually touches the stones with his finger. The brother of Jared, through his faith, sees the finger and falls down before the Lord with fear. The stones are used, two to each barge, to give light therein.
Using my knowledge of ship building and ship stability I have drawn a sketch of the barge providing for all the specifications given in the Book of Mormon and suited to the conditions expected on such a voyage. These vessels will provide the occupants with the optimum of safety, comfort and convenience. The dimensions of each barge are important.. length about 70 ft, breadth about 18 ft, depth about 12 ft giving an inside height of about 10ft, inside breadth about 14ft.. The side tanks are about 2 ft wide by 10 ft deep by 40ft length. Total capacity about 10000 gals.. quite adequate for their health and hygiene needs and providing good stability for a smooth ride. Animal capacity equivalent to about twenty sheep or goats and about ten people. Stock feed storage for about two months max with rationing.
So fresh air is circulated throughout and plenty of fresh water for all their needs. A couple of holes in the top for air intake forward and egress aft over the livestock space. The hole in the bottom is situated close by the livestock. It has sides like a well extending up to above the outside water level. The hole in the bottom is an important aspect of maintaining the freshness of the air inside, in that any animal or human waste must be immediately disposed of down the hole to dissipate into the sea.
A good supply of fish can be caught by net or spear or line through this hole so the people should never go hungry. Only in calmer conditions would the people safely go out onto the upper deck with adequate supervision and nets hung over side in case of accident.. Below deck they would need to be assigned daily chores to maintain hygiene and to give them exercise and entertainment, thus avoiding boredom and maintaining good health and morale. Together with the dried food provisions etc the cuisine could be quite enticing. Provision must be made for securely closing the holes (hatches) top and bottom in the event of heavy seas crashing aboard as in a typhoon. Ether 2:20.
Most people expect all vessels must have sails or some means of propulsion. In this peculiar case that is unnecessary. Yes, most vessels at that time would have sails, and experienced seamen to control and handle them; but only when they have geographical knowledge and therefore courses to steer towards pre-determined waypoints.
Sails without experienced seamen are a definite hazard at the onset of sudden line squalls. If not doused in time they can cause major damage to rigging and often do capsize the vessel. I can assure you that is true from personal experience and from reports of yachtsmen getting into trouble on long ocean voyages where their yachts do sometimes turn turtle. The ocean currents give adequate speed over the ground to make their destination in the time stated. i.e. 344 days.. Ether 6:11. Why wouldn’t this theory also apply to Lehi’s ship and Noahs ark. They also knew not where they were headed but simply followed the Master’s inspiration. Yes, they would need a rudder to help maintain stern to weather, without broaching, as the winds and currents carried them along as upon a conveyor. This rudder would be essential if the drogue streamed astern breaks up until a fresh one can be streamed. No experienced seamen. They would have to be provided with oars and maybe a small sail on a demountable mast with which to leave or enter a harbour and anchors forward and aft to use when mooring bow in to a beach to afford the means of hauling away from the beach into deep water for departure. Oars, mast and sail etc must be securely stowed below deck as the vessel would occasionally be ‘buried in the depths of the sea because of the mountain waves’. (Ether 6:6).. But; like a bottle drifting on the currents, once these barges were at sea their safety was entirely in the hands of the Lord. 24-7. (Ether 6:4).. The Master would ensure they didn’t hit any rocks or snags along the way. Being His plan He will cause the wind to blow them in the right directions around the various land masses. (Proverbs 3:5,6.) Ether 6:5 states that the Lord caused a wind to blow across the seas towards the promised land. Sea currents are caused by the prevailing wind which is seasonal as around Asia and the sub continent. For this reason their departure would have to be around the commencement of the SW monsoon across the gulf of Arabia, August. The currents from Oman, around India, down the Malacca strait, up the China coast, past Japan, across the North Pacific and down the west coast. Average current speed over the ground of about 1.25 knots. The distance over that route to Guatemala is roughly 13800 miles. Barge speed through the water is about ½ knot being pushed by the wind. 13800mls @ 1 ¾ kts = 344 days. Calculations are approximate only given the many variables, but close enough to bear out the truth.
Under the circumstances, I can see no other route possible and it complies with the ancient trading routes. At that speed, the voyage would take approximately 344 days just as Ether 6: 11 states. Not counting stopovers. If I was a relatively uneducated farm boy writing a novel about such a voyage in 1827, how could I possibly guess such a voyage to have taken 344 days except by divine revelation? Nobody, at that time, had such knowledge of the ocean currents of the world.
To scoop fresh air down into the vessel to freshen and cool the atmosphere within, the cover on the forward hatch would be hinged on the forward side so the raised cover will form a scoop for the wind to enter. Another hole above the livestock aft where the fouled air would be ejected would have it’s cover hinged on the aft side to let the stale air out. This together with the trim by the stern (producing more windage forward) and together with the drogue, would maintain a stern to the wind and waves orientation, thus affording the greatest degree of safety and comfort for the people within. A wicker or canvas drogue would be towed on a bight of rope from the stern, fastened on each quarter. These are commonly referred to as sea anchors by the sailing and fishing fraternity and are part of the required equipment for ship’s lifeboats specifically to prevent broaching as they drift. A rudder in case the drogue breaks up would be advisable until a replacement drogue could be streamed just as with lifeboats.
Transoceanic migrations and trading have been taking place for thousands of years as indicated by the many foreign artifacts being found on the various continents. Those adventurers and traders gained their skills and knowledge from long experience and skills handed down by elders plus a few mistakes. They didn’t simply rely on the popularly classic so called land bridge to access America from Asia. Most people today are afraid of sea travel. They don’t trust it because they lack the knowledge; but curious little boys growing up by the sea have a strong desire to know what lies over that horizon and soon learn how to manage themselves at sea in accordance with the natural laws of the weather and oceans which are immutable and well known to professional mariners trading or fishing. I feel much safer out there confronting a typhoon and knowing precisely what must be done in accordance with the laws of meteorology, physics and seamanship than trying to second guess my opposition on the nations roads. And being carried along in comfort by barge is far better than riding a camel or slogging over mountains with a heavy pack on your back. These people called upon the Lord to safely deliver them to a land of promise and because of their continued faith and hope, diligence and prayer He promised and did deliver. Those of us who faithfully and diligently work hard to provide for ourselves and our families and observe the covenants, laws and ordinances of the Gospel are safely in the hands of the Master of all. He is bound when we do what he says and he put us here to learn from our mistakes in the school of life. D&C 82:10.
The successful transoceanic migrations of the Jaredites and others as depicted in the Book of Mormon scriptures are simply some of the hundreds of undeniable proofs of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through the prophet Joseph Smith in these latter days. If any shadow of doubt still exists, simply apply the advice of another prophet as given in Moroni 10: 3-5. of the Book of Mormon. That same advice was given by James 1: 5-7 in the Bible, and the answer to sincere prayers is revelation. That is the reason for our testimony, our confidence, our happiness and our ongoing self funded missionary work to help others while trying to practice faith hope and charity in all our activities. It’s all plain fact and logic.
Proposed Jaredite Barge