ABSTRACT
Ocean voyages in the eighteenth century tried the hardiest souls. Storms, disease, filth, cramped quarters, poor diet, marauding pirates, enemy sailors drove passengers and crewmen alike to disaster, if not to the grave. Both Adamses suffered with seasickness in a violent storm that sent furniture and casks reeling, soaking everything on board. Adams' affection for the Navy set him to scrutinizing the ship with all her defects. She was over-metaled, had too many guns for her tonnage. She had no pistols, no good glasses. Adams would not begrudge Franklin these amusements, he said, if he had simply been able to receive Franklin's attention and advice for a little while each day. However, Franklin seemed willing to spare only a few minutes, if that, often delaying several days before affixing his signature to papers that Adams and Lee had completed. Still the doctor rarely refused to sign, Adams granted.
