Eliza Ross wrote a 26-page daily diary for her child (or children) while traveling from Boston, Massachusetts, to Ipswich, England, on the Havilah from August 21, 1875-October 13, 1875. She commented on weather patterns, meals, aquatic animals, the ship's crew, and visits to the shore. The journal is written on loose pages.
Most entries focus on Ross's daily experiences and activities, and she often mentioned the meals she ate on the ship and (later) on shore. At sea and in port, Ross observed birds, fish, and dolphins, and she commented on the scenery during the Havilah's travels along Britain's southern shore. On one occasion, several men onboard caught a hawk (September 19, 1875). Ross discussed some aspects of the crew's daily routine, characterized the captain as a disciplinarian (September 29, 1875), and reported her "conclusion that a woman is no use at sea" (August 26, 1875). When the Havilah arrived at the Isles of Scilly, Ross and her traveling companion, George, telegraphed her mother to inform her of their safe arrival. Ross described the Isles of Scilly, though she did not visit the shore (September 27, 1875-September 28, 1875), and her shore excursions near Falmouth (September 29, 1875-October 1, 1875) and Ipswich (October 4, 1875-October 13, 1875).
Eliza Ross sailed from Boston, Massachusetts, to Ipswich, England, by way of the Isles of Scilly and Falmouth, England, in the fall of 1875. The Havilah, a sailing ship, left Boston on August 31, 1875, and arrived at the Isles of Scilly on September 27. After lying at anchor at Falmouth, England, from September 29-October 1, the ship sailed for Ipswich, where it arrived around October 5. Ross left the ship on October 13, 1875. Her traveling companion was a man named George. Eliza Ross had at least one child.
