In the month of July, 1903, Ernest shipped as steward on board the steamer "Augusta," bound for Hamburg, taking his wife along for the benefit of her health. Contrary to his original intention he decided to leave her at Hamburg. On the passage back to England the vessel ran upon the rocks known as the Velvet Patch, near Marsden Rock. She was floated at high water of the next tide, with the assistance of three tugs, and succeeded in making her way to the Tyne, where she was put in the dry dock at South Shields. Then it was found, that forty two plates had to come out of her bottom, and that her stern post, rudder post and propeller were gone. Although no lives were lost, Ernest felt thankful that he had left his wife in Hamburg. After the ship was repaired she sailed for Hamburg again. On arrival there the Spirit prompted Ernest to go ashore and call upon some of the Saints. On descending the rope ladder to go ashore by boat, he had one of the narrowest escapes of his life, and concluded that Satan was trying to prevent him. The ladder had been newly tarred, and his foot slipped from it as a consequence. He fell a distance of about twelve feet and saved himself by clutching the last rung of the ladder with two fingers. Had it not been for that, he would have fallen between the ship and the lighter and been driven by the tide underneath one or the other of the vessels. After landing, and while walking the street, he met one of the local Saints, Brother Pollock, and learned from him that he was going to visit some of the Saints as a Teacher. On invitation, Ernest accompanied him to the home of Brother Blecher, his companion Teacher, who, however, was not at home, being employed working overtime. Ernest was then invited to take Brother Blecher's place as a Teacher, and the two called upon a blind brother named Eitner to accompany them. The question then arose as to where they should go, and Brother Eitner said he had heard of a sister being very ill, but he didn't know where she lived. Ernest suggested that they depend upon the Lord in searching for her, and the three set out on the quest, without any idea which direction they should take. After proceeding some distance, Ernest stopped and said he felt sure they had passed the place they were searching for, and they retraced their steps for a short distance, when he stopped and inquired of a young man who was standing by a terrace if such a person, (mentioning the sister's name) lived there, and was told that she did. They entered, and found the sick sister trying to write a letter to one of the Elders, requesting that he come and administer to her, she being in a very feeble condition, and also in want of food. Ernest administered to her, promised that she should recover and soon be able to attend her meetings, and the three supplied her with money to relieve her wants.