LIVERPOOL, England — In a curious repeat of history, the Sea Trek 2001 ship Sorlandet, observing the 19th century European migration of LDS converts, landed at the Prince's Pier Head, adjacent to the Prince's Dock along Liverpool's busy waterfront. It was at Prince's Dock in 1837 where Heber C. Kimball leapt the several remaining feet to shore, so anxious was he to be the Church's first missionary to set foot in England.
As the tall ship Sorlandet began to approach sight of the port of Liverpool, most of the 45 Sea Trek participants on board came up onto the foredeck to catch their first hazy glimpse of the port and the land from which many of their ancestors had emigrated.
It was a touching moment. Vicky Snow of Salt Lake City regarded the area where her great-great-grandmother had left England forever.
"It's amazing to be here," she said. "To see where they sailed from makes me feel more part of my family."
Even before the ships arrived, the Sea Trek event attracted substantial television, radio and newspaper coverage. On the way into Liverpool, a tug came out loaded with television camera teams, radio reporters, and other journalists to interview Sea Trek participants with ancestors from Lancashire, or having departed for America through the port of Liverpool.
The day before, tour leader and instructor, S. Michael Wilcox, had been interviewed in a ship-to-shore live broadcast for a Sunday religious program. Several of the women aboard had brought period costumes that they wore standing on the breezy foredeck, at the request of photographers and cameramen. For about an hour, as the ship drew nearer to Liverpool, reporters were interviewing passengers at almost every corner of the vessel.
The Sorlandet, accompanied by the Mir, another of the ships participating in Sea Trek, arrived into an atmosphere surrounded by 19th century trappings. To the south of where the ship moored is the Albert Dock, a restored bonded warehouse complex built in 1847 and opened by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. For many years these impressive red-bricked buildings lay derelict but have now been restored to provide a first-class visitor attraction centered around the Merseyside Maritime Museum. A branch of London's Tate Gallery, as well as restaurants, mall shops, and a Beatles museum are also housed around the Albert Dock.
Several nearby docks are used to display old ships or artifacts relating to the maritime theme. The Victorian atmosphere has been carefully preserved, and it was the ideal location to house, even if only overnight, the tall ship Sorlandet.
Waiting dockside to greet the ship's company was the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Gerry Scott, and his wife the Lady Mayoress, Ann Scott, along with U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), a Church member who, with his family, is taking part in the events, and Sea Trek chairman William K. Sadleir.
The Lord Mayor extended the hospitality of Liverpool to the senator and many civic dignitaries and LDS leaders in a luncheon at Liverpool's majestic town hall. Later the Lord Mayor was invited to unveil a specially commissioned 10-foot bronze statue commemorating the spirit of the emigrants, by artists Mark DeGraffenried and Neil Haddlock. Mark DeGraffenried, who sculpted the statue, was on hand for the unveiling.
After those ceremonies were completed, the "red carpet" treatment continued as the Merseyside Maritime Museum hosted a reception and dinner for Church members and civic and community leaders, including clergy of other faiths. The dinner was sponsored by Sen. Smith as a way of thanking the City of Liverpool for the support it has given to departing LDS emigrants of several nationalities over the years since the first emigrant company departed on board the appropriately named Britannia, on June 5,1840.
The celebration of arrival began with the customary "Rock the Dock," one of several activities that took place in the half-mile riverside area between the Crown Plaza Hotel at Prince's Dock to the north and the Albert Dock to the south.
In front of a temporary stage at Prince's Pier Head, where the "Ferry Across the Mersey" plies back and forth across the famous river, families settled down to picnic on the grass while several musical groups were playing, almost non-stop, for more than 12 hours. As well as local groups, Sea Trek's T-minus Friday and Enoch Train played to enthusiastic crowds.
Throughout the day thousands toured the Sea Trek exhibition tent to see the emigration displays. Many of them were also able to gain a hands-on family history experience at one of the several internet-connected computers, assisted by local LDS volunteers.
Church members Peter and Beth Trebilcock of the Chorley 1st Ward, Preston England Stake, were out enjoying the sunshine and the music. Sister Trebilcock was in Liverpool to sing as part of the choir performing the "Saints on the Seas" Oratorio.
Both were impressed by the quality of the day's events. "It's great," said Brother Trebilcock, "The Albert Dock, tall ships, the music, and the family history suite are all a wonderful crowd-puller. It's nice and lively, there's everything for the family, even food."
James Monk, stake public affairs leader for the Liverpool stake, had been involved in directing the stake's preparations for the Sea Trek event over the preceding year. He was in his element, and working at the information kiosk, "It's been just frantic," he said, in between dealing with inquiries from the public. He was due to sail to Portsmouth on Tuesday, on the fully-rigged ship Mir.
Avril Saunders of the Stretfield Ward, Manchester England Stake, was touring the event. "We've specially arranged the sunshine for today, that's not usual for Liverpool," she joked. "It's just a gorgeous day. Families have been able to have a nice, happy day."
The music continued throughout the day and the fireworks display, ignited from a barge in the River Mersey and visible across the dock area, was accompanied by dramatic music, rising to a crescendo with the last, amazing cloud-bursts of sparkles, falling gently into the water below. A wonderful day had descended to its close and visitors began to make their way home, tired but impressed by all they had seen.