Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1887 — HARDSHIPS OF EMIGRANTS. [ARTICLE]

HARDSHIPS OF EMIGRANTS.

Steerage Experience of the Seekers for Homes in a New Land. An Emigrant, Who 1* Now oh the County Bench In Mmnouri, Gives Interesting Detail* of His l»tfe Aboard Ship—Disregard of Health and Decency—lncidents of the .. Passage—Castle Garden Arrangements. Omaha Bee, * .* A gentleman from the northern part of Missouri, who was in Omaha two days last week, is a living, exemplification of the advantages which the land of the free and the home of the brave possesses for men of all nationalities. A few years ago this gentleman landed in this country, one of a number of tired and wretched immigrants. To day he is an Associate Justice of the county court a of prosperous Missouri county, in which he has made considerable money as well as many friends. In conversation with a representative of the Bee this gentleman, who, by way, is a very intelligent man, imparted some interesting information in regard to the habits, the trials and tribulations of the emigrants while en route to this country. “The scene on the pier previous to the departure of a vessel is an exciting one,” said he. “It is crowded with emigrants all in a confused and excited state reminding one of a frightened flock of sheep. The majority are perhaps English, Irish and German, though nearly all nations are represented. More than half the whole number of emigrants arrive in New York from Liver pool,a curious fact being that as many German emigrants come to America by way of Liverpool as those who sail in steamers direct from Hamburg and Bremen. These Germans are conveyed to Hull by water and thence across England by rail to Liverpool. A shipload of these seekers for homes is a curious sight. Many are neat in dress and cleanly in appearance and promising citizens. Each emigrant has a contract ticket which, in consideration of the current rate of fare, stipulates for his transportation to New York, together with a full supply of wholesome provisions, cooked and served by its stewards. The passenger is required to provide himself with bedding and cooking utensils. In my time the weekly allowance of food for adults was prescribed by the Government and ffrmted on the contract ticket. As I remember it, it was 21 quarts of water, 31 pounds of bread. 1 pound of wheaten flour, pounds of oatmeal, rice and peas, 2 pounds of potatoes, 1J pounds of beef, 1 pound of pork, 2 ounces of tea, 1 pound of sugar, and salt, pepper, mustard, vinegar, etc. The steerage stewards berth the emigrants, and they

are then marshaled on deck under the -sGcuti-BV-of a Govern ment inapctor who examines them for infectious diseases. “On nearly all vessels just before starting are found stowaways or some poor fellows who, enthused with the glowing descrpitions of the land beyond he sea and too poor to pay passage, are desperate enough to attempt to steal passage. In nearly all instances these are discovered when the ticks to are examined. and they are sent back to shore. Some of them will make the piteous tale that they have been robbed of their money while waiting for the vessel, or lost their tickets, but this is of no avail. After the steerage passengers are attended to, the cabin passengers come aboard and the vessel pushes out.” “What is the general treatment these people receive while at sea?” asked the reporter. “Well,” replied the Missourian, . “neither officers nor men seem to consider them worthy of respect. Occasionally you will find some ships’ officers who will treat them in a humane, tolerating manner.but as a rule they aretreat-" ed more like a drove of cattle. No difference is madq between the better or the worse-class, but all are treated alike. There is no classification; the single women and men are separated, but Poles, Germans, English, French, Italians and people of all -countries are throw together. A cleanly, thrifty woman is berthed next to a filthy one, and the same with neat-appearing, hardworking men, who are compelled to mingle 5 with the dirtiest of vagabonds. “The steerage is usually cold, dard and foul-smelling. It extends nearly the entire length of the vessel under the saloon deck and is cut up in‘gloomy apartments. In each one of these are fonr tiers of berths or bunks, two on each side. The lower tier is two feet from the deck and the upper tier is three feet from the roof. The steerage is about ten feet in height; in each tfer are probably six berths eighteen inches wide and six feet long and made of boards. These berths generally emit an unpleasant smell of chlorate of lime or carbolic acid.

“Officious ste wards are moving about indnlging in a coarse joke here and a growl at some unfortunate there. After the supper, and but few partake of the first one at sea, the tables arejraised to the roof and the steerage center space is clear. Some lamps are then lighted, but promptly extinguished at 9 o’clock. Three meals are served every day and fn Quality and quantity they are substantial. For breakfast at 8 o’clock emigrant nit, down to do justice to oatmeal porridge and molasses, hot breads coffes and salt fish. For dinner at 12 perhaps soup or broth, boiled meats, potatoes and bread. For supper at 6 tea and bread and batter with molasses.

However substantial the food may be, | the manner in which it is served is tin-' cleanly. Beef and soap are placed on the table in rusty-looking tins and then a scramble takes place, dirty fingers often being need instead of forks. On a pleasant summer day trie emigrants have quite a merry time on decs. Some of the Italians bring out their harps and violins and a concert takes place. Aside from this these people a muse themselves at cards, checkers and other games, and after a time they become partially accustomed to their filthy prison: the majority make the best of it and enjoy themselves to a degree.” “How is the emigrant cared for during a storm?” queried the reporter. “That’s just where he reaches the height of his misery,” answered the exemigrant. “I shall never forget the sufferings we all endured during a severe storm on my passage. When the storm came up the hatches were battened down, the ports screwed in their places and the companionways closed. During all the time the sea is on deck perhaps one thousand people were confined to the steerage, on this occasion, for nearly three days. The atmosphere became close and in twenty-four hours was loaded with impurities; meals were irregularly served and the fodd barely cooked. I shall never forget the exhibition of terror on the pare of soma of the emigrants, and their- terror became contagious as their shireks grew louder; and their prayers more frequent. After the storm had subsided, and the steerage was open, the sailor would not go in to clean up for six hours and then they had to pe supplied with an extra allowance of grog. I remember on this trip an incident which a sailor told me was not an unusual one. One of the Italians in the steerage had not washed himself since he had been on board, and af 1 er the storm he refused to leave his bunk, but clung to it in all its filth, and with his characi. ;in tic indolence. On the captain’s order bo was brought on deck and thoroughly cleaned with a hose, after which he returned apparently feeling no better for his clean up, but lam certain the balance of us rested easier.

When the steamer arrives at Quarantine a towboat conveys the doctor on board and he inspects the immigrants. If there are no cases of infectious disease the steamer proceeds to the city, and shortly another steamboat appears with the boarding officer of the Emigration Commissioners. This official ascertains the number of passengers on board and listens to complaints. “Soon the trees of tie Battery Park come in sight, the steamer’s pulse ceases, several barges are towed alongside, and the immigrants with their baggage are transferred to these. The same excitement is here manifest as at the outset of the voyage. The poor immigrants are browbeaten and driven about like the same old sheep, and as soon as the barges 'are loaded a small steamer takes them in tow and they are landed with their load of human freight at Castle Garden. “The barges loaded with immigrants are Boon moored o the wharf, and the Custom- House officers examine the baggage; old chests, barrels and bundles are packed together and the officers begin the work of examination.” “Do these people have much property?” “Some of the immigrants have no baggage whatever, and it is safe to say that SIOO is the average amount of cash held by one person, with perhaps SSO additional in property.

“When the baggage has been ‘passed’ by the inspectors, it is checked and sent to a room prepared for its reception. The immigrants are examined by a medical officer, who ascertains that no paupers or criminals are among them and that no person afflicted with contagious or infections diseases have escaped the doctor at Quarantine. The immigrants are then ushered into the rotunda,a high-roofed circular building, into which ventilation and lights are admitted by a dome seventy-five feet high. The floor is divided into small inclosures containing a postoffice, telegraph office, money exchange and restaurant. As the crowd files in each passenger is detained for a moment at the registration desk, where his name, age,, nationality,destination, the vessel’s name and date of arrival are carefully recorded ana preserved. ' “When the registration is complete a clerk announces the names of the passengers who.have friends waiting for them, or for whom letters, telegrams or ramlttances have been received, and delivery is made to the pereons answering. Other passengers who wish to communicate with acquaintances or relatives are referred to clerks who speak and write their language, and their messages are transmittedTrom the telegraph desk or by mail. The railroad company have agents in the building and the passengers who wish to leave the city are shown to the ticket offices, while their baagage is rechecked and conveyed to the train or depot. Those who want rest are permitted to remain in the rotuned, where a bowl of coffee, tea or milk and a small loaf of bread are supplied to them for 10 cents. If they choose they can go to one of the hoarding-housep licensed by theTlommissioners. There is also a labor burean, which is of much aid to the newcomers. “Many years ago tne groat majority of immigrants were so poor that they

could not prepay their passage. They accepted advances and were bonded to the ship owners, who derived enormous profits. Charles Reads has a vivid dear rip ton of the immigrant traffic at this period in his “Wandering Heir.” When a vessel arrived at Philadelphia or New York, the steerage passengers weie sold at public auction to the highest bidder.. The country people either came themselves to purchase, or sent agents. Parents sold their children, that they might remain free themselves, and families were scattered never to be reunited. Old people and widows did not sell well; while healthy parents with healthy children, and youths of both sSxes, found a ready market. When one or both parents died on the voyage the expenses of the whole family were summed up and charged to the survivor. Adults had to serve from three to six years, and children until they became of age. Runaways had to serve one week for each day, one month for each week and six months for each month of their absence. The immigrants were called ‘intended servants,’ but in effect they were slaves.

* ‘The last sales of immigrants took place I think in- Philadelphia during the years 1818 or 181 t. The Government then interfered with the traffic and encouraged the immigration of a superior class of people. J3ut the accommodations for immigrants remained shamefully defective, and nearly twenty out of every one hundred passengers died at sea of fever or starvation. The steerage decks were usually about five feet high, without ventilation or light, and in this space the hunks were ranged in two or three tiers.

“The health of the passengers was further impaired by another evil which up to a very recent date prevailed on board emigrant vessels. The immigrants were to provide and *cook their own food. Many embarked without any provisions, or an insufficient quantity, and others found no opportunity to cook what they had. On the upper deck of the vessel were two small ‘galleys,’ about five feet wide and four feet deep, each supplied with a grate, and these were the only arrangements made for cocking the food for several hundred persons.

.thousands never lived to see their destination. Out of about 98,000 laborers sent from Ireland to Canada After the famine of 1848, nearly 25,000 perished in consequence of the poor rations and defective ventilation of the ships. Later still, in 1888, on one vessel alone —the Liebnitz, from Hamburg—over one hundred passengers died out of 500. “The mortality on vessels bringing immigrants to New York to-day will perhaps not exceed 1$ per cent., and in some instances is no greater than £ per cent.”