| ACROSS THE WIDE ATLANTIC |
The mid-19th century revolutionary years in Germany were
filled with great turmoil and resulted in a tremendous wave of
immigrants coming to America. Many did not want to leave
their home in Germany, but were left with no other options.
Some left broken hearted and others left with hearts full of
optimism and joy. They said goodbye to their loved ones and
all that was familiar, and sailed away from home on a long,
miserable voyage which was uncomfortable and even deadly.
filled with great turmoil and resulted in a tremendous wave of
immigrants coming to America. Many did not want to leave
their home in Germany, but were left with no other options.
Some left broken hearted and others left with hearts full of
optimism and joy. They said goodbye to their loved ones and
all that was familiar, and sailed away from home on a long,
miserable voyage which was uncomfortable and even deadly.
By 1834, annual German immigration to America already exceeded 17,000 people, and by 1837 it
had climbed to 24,000. Immigrants from Germany from 1845 to 1860 soared to 1,275,000.
had climbed to 24,000. Immigrants from Germany from 1845 to 1860 soared to 1,275,000.
In 1847, crowded "steerage" accommodations from Bremen to America started at $16.00, but even
this was a hefty sum to many emigrants. It is said that as they departed, most emigrants stood in
eerie silence on the deck of the ship watching their Fatherland slowly disappear.
this was a hefty sum to many emigrants. It is said that as they departed, most emigrants stood in
eerie silence on the deck of the ship watching their Fatherland slowly disappear.
Many of the vessels were "plague" ships, quarantined because of cholera or yellow fever, and up to
one in six Germans on such a ship died from the long voyage. It was not uncommon for immigrant
ships to arrive with an entire ship full of ill, dying or dead passengers, or for the passengers to die
while anchored in the harbor in quarantine. The odors aboard these immigrant ships were so foul that
people on land claimed they could smell them coming.
one in six Germans on such a ship died from the long voyage. It was not uncommon for immigrant
ships to arrive with an entire ship full of ill, dying or dead passengers, or for the passengers to die
while anchored in the harbor in quarantine. The odors aboard these immigrant ships were so foul that
people on land claimed they could smell them coming.
When Bremerhaven first opened, passengers would have to travel for miles down the Weser River
from Bremen to Bremerhaven on overcrowded river barges, a journey taking three days, until they
were brought to the side of their large sailing ship. The final stretch to the ship could only be
accomplished during the ebb tide, when water from the arm of the Weser flowed in the direction of
the North Sea. In the 1840s, a steam-powered tugboat towed barges to the mouth of the river,
shortening the journey to one day.
from Bremen to Bremerhaven on overcrowded river barges, a journey taking three days, until they
were brought to the side of their large sailing ship. The final stretch to the ship could only be
accomplished during the ebb tide, when water from the arm of the Weser flowed in the direction of
the North Sea. In the 1840s, a steam-powered tugboat towed barges to the mouth of the river,
shortening the journey to one day.
Although a massive re-routing of the Weser above Bremerhaven eventually solved the problem of
accumulating silt, Bremerhaven remained the busiest emigrant port in Germany and soon became the
embarkation point for most emigrants leaving Germany through Bremen. The city council of Bremen
passed ordinances in 1832 that required companies transporting emigrants to file passenger lists
containing emigrants' names, ages, occupations, and places of origin.
accumulating silt, Bremerhaven remained the busiest emigrant port in Germany and soon became the
embarkation point for most emigrants leaving Germany through Bremen. The city council of Bremen
passed ordinances in 1832 that required companies transporting emigrants to file passenger lists
containing emigrants' names, ages, occupations, and places of origin.
Between 1875 and 1909, the passenger lists dating from 1832 were destroyed by city archivists for lack of storage
space, and the lists covering emigration during the years 1910-1920 were destroyed during Allied bombing raids on
Bremen in World War II. On June 26, 1942, British attacked the heart of old Bremen City with one of their infamous
mega bombings called a "thousand bomber raid" which destroyed a large part of the city. Likewise, 97% of
Bremerhaven's buildings were also destroyed by intense bombing..
space, and the lists covering emigration during the years 1910-1920 were destroyed during Allied bombing raids on
Bremen in World War II. On June 26, 1942, British attacked the heart of old Bremen City with one of their infamous
mega bombings called a "thousand bomber raid" which destroyed a large part of the city. Likewise, 97% of
Bremerhaven's buildings were also destroyed by intense bombing..
Some immigrants had been tempted by misleading recruitment ads and dishonest speculators, only to
find out once they arrived that they had been duped and were now penniless, homeless and at the
mercy of the elements and of strangers. In 1846, 6,000 Germans naively arrived in America in
January and found that the provisions that they had been promised before hand were nowhere to be
had. Dysentery and cholera took their toll, and 4,500 of the 6,000 starved to death or died of disease
during a grueling 200 mile walk from Indianola to New Braunfels, Texas.
find out once they arrived that they had been duped and were now penniless, homeless and at the
mercy of the elements and of strangers. In 1846, 6,000 Germans naively arrived in America in
January and found that the provisions that they had been promised before hand were nowhere to be
had. Dysentery and cholera took their toll, and 4,500 of the 6,000 starved to death or died of disease
during a grueling 200 mile walk from Indianola to New Braunfels, Texas.
If they were going to the midwest, most likely have next gone to Columbia, Pennsylvania and taken
an uncomfortable canal boat pulled by horses to Harrisburg ( see 'Canals' ). From there, the boat
went through various adventures as it was put on a train, lifted over mountains by cables, dragged
through dark tunnels and narrow passes, then put back in a canal again until it was possible to board
a steamship for a quick ride to Pittsburgh and the western regions of the state where an even more
tedious trip lay ahead by land and inland water.
an uncomfortable canal boat pulled by horses to Harrisburg ( see 'Canals' ). From there, the boat
went through various adventures as it was put on a train, lifted over mountains by cables, dragged
through dark tunnels and narrow passes, then put back in a canal again until it was possible to board
a steamship for a quick ride to Pittsburgh and the western regions of the state where an even more
tedious trip lay ahead by land and inland water.
Bremen, on the banks of the river Weser that flows into the North
Sea, was founded in the 9th century and was an important and lovely
member of the Hanseatic League. When silt on the Weser began to
reduce access to Bremen's docks, Bremen's mayor purchased land
30 miles away near the mouth of the river from Hannover in 1825 for
use as a new port. The new harbor of Bremerhaven received its first
customer in 1830, the American schooner Draper
Sea, was founded in the 9th century and was an important and lovely
member of the Hanseatic League. When silt on the Weser began to
reduce access to Bremen's docks, Bremen's mayor purchased land
30 miles away near the mouth of the river from Hannover in 1825 for
use as a new port. The new harbor of Bremerhaven received its first
customer in 1830, the American schooner Draper
For those headed for the Port of Baltimore, another voyage awaited them on the Chesapeake Bay
until they could stand on dry ground. Then, anchoring overnight, the next day would still be spent on
water until they arrived near the port toward evening and anchored again. There, they were assayed
any taxes or duties on items they brought into the country, and quarantined until a doctor's
examination. Finally off ship, some booked into one of the many Gasthoffs catering to newly arrived
Germans, and many spent lengthy periods in them until they found permanent lodging or moved on.
Others who had made prior arrangements continued on their way.
until they could stand on dry ground. Then, anchoring overnight, the next day would still be spent on
water until they arrived near the port toward evening and anchored again. There, they were assayed
any taxes or duties on items they brought into the country, and quarantined until a doctor's
examination. Finally off ship, some booked into one of the many Gasthoffs catering to newly arrived
Germans, and many spent lengthy periods in them until they found permanent lodging or moved on.
Others who had made prior arrangements continued on their way.
In could take weeks, even months, to finally reach their new homes. For those landing in New York
City before 1855, there was no immigrant processing center as of yet. The shipping company
presented its passenger list to Customs, and the immigrants made a Customs declaration and simply
went on their way. They were suddenly confronted with an alien civilization, crowds of people they
could not understand and, if they did not have family or connections ready to receive and assist
them, they were quickly overwhelmed by culture shock, fatigue and were again at the mercy of
robbers and the unscrupulous. Those landing in ports of the deep south had no less of a struggle.
They not only had to cope with an unfamiliar climate, they encountered less of their former
countrymen to communicate with and socialize with.
City before 1855, there was no immigrant processing center as of yet. The shipping company
presented its passenger list to Customs, and the immigrants made a Customs declaration and simply
went on their way. They were suddenly confronted with an alien civilization, crowds of people they
could not understand and, if they did not have family or connections ready to receive and assist
them, they were quickly overwhelmed by culture shock, fatigue and were again at the mercy of
robbers and the unscrupulous. Those landing in ports of the deep south had no less of a struggle.
They not only had to cope with an unfamiliar climate, they encountered less of their former
countrymen to communicate with and socialize with.
Bremen was one of the better ports to ship from. As early as 1832, Bremen tried to improve the
quality of life for emigrants and establish a reputation as the most favorable place from which to
emigrate. The Bremen Senate set up rules regarding sea-worthiness of the ships departing from her
harbors, minimum space requirements and enough adequate provisions for three months at sea. They
required that a doctor be on board each voyage and mandated sanitary inspections. They further
required passenger lists be supplied to Bremen authorities by the ship owners for each voyage and
that any emigrant not admitted into the United States by American authorities would be transported
back to Germany at the ship owner's expense. This made Bremen a leader in the emigration trade for
all of central Europe, and the Bremen shipping industry was prospering by consequently importing
American goods to Germany, tobacco and flour from Baltimore and tobacco, cotton and sugar from
New Orleans. The port of Hamburg didn't begin to improve conditions for emigrants until 1851.
quality of life for emigrants and establish a reputation as the most favorable place from which to
emigrate. The Bremen Senate set up rules regarding sea-worthiness of the ships departing from her
harbors, minimum space requirements and enough adequate provisions for three months at sea. They
required that a doctor be on board each voyage and mandated sanitary inspections. They further
required passenger lists be supplied to Bremen authorities by the ship owners for each voyage and
that any emigrant not admitted into the United States by American authorities would be transported
back to Germany at the ship owner's expense. This made Bremen a leader in the emigration trade for
all of central Europe, and the Bremen shipping industry was prospering by consequently importing
American goods to Germany, tobacco and flour from Baltimore and tobacco, cotton and sugar from
New Orleans. The port of Hamburg didn't begin to improve conditions for emigrants until 1851.
Bremerhaven was the major port of departure for German immigrants to America during this period,
and would become port to 7 million emigrants leaving Europe between 1832 and 1874.
and would become port to 7 million emigrants leaving Europe between 1832 and 1874.
The first leg of an emigrant's journey would have been the trip to
Bremen itself, by train, coach or on foot. Many had never even set
foot out of their small villages before, and just making this step itself
was a life-changing experience. Once in Bremen, most would stay at
an inn and take in the sights, such as the famous tall statue of Roland
the Giant, left. Created in 1404, the Roland statue in the Bremen
market place symbolizes freedom and justice. It commemorates the
death of Roland who was killed by Muslim and Basque forces
attacking the rear-guard of Charlemagne's army.
Bremen itself, by train, coach or on foot. Many had never even set
foot out of their small villages before, and just making this step itself
was a life-changing experience. Once in Bremen, most would stay at
an inn and take in the sights, such as the famous tall statue of Roland
the Giant, left. Created in 1404, the Roland statue in the Bremen
market place symbolizes freedom and justice. It commemorates the
death of Roland who was killed by Muslim and Basque forces
attacking the rear-guard of Charlemagne's army.
It was not until 1862 that a rail connection between
Bremen and Bremerhaven was completed, making
the trip easier. Once in Bremerhaven, many
emigrants prayed for their safety in the port city's
beautiful old churches until they set sail. Their
passage was often paid for with their life savings,
and there was no turning back at this point.
Bremen and Bremerhaven was completed, making
the trip easier. Once in Bremerhaven, many
emigrants prayed for their safety in the port city's
beautiful old churches until they set sail. Their
passage was often paid for with their life savings,
and there was no turning back at this point.
With differing degrees of sadness, joy, fear and optimism, they
faced several weeks at sea from Bremen to America, barring any
emergencies or accidents. Once they left land, they sailed into the
North Sea and on to the English Channel, then out into the
Ocean. Finally, many long weeks after the Bremen departure and
halfway around the world, America would be before their eyes.
Despite this grueling adventure, more and more made the trip.
faced several weeks at sea from Bremen to America, barring any
emergencies or accidents. Once they left land, they sailed into the
North Sea and on to the English Channel, then out into the
Ocean. Finally, many long weeks after the Bremen departure and
halfway around the world, America would be before their eyes.
Despite this grueling adventure, more and more made the trip.
For those who could afford to travel first or even second class, an emigrant ship was not too bad,
but steerage was horrible, with some ships taking 750 or more passengers. A child under eight was
counted as half an adult, with half rations, and infants were not counted at all. The ships would be so
crowded that people sometimes had to sleep in the gangways, and when this space filled, shacks
were thrown up on the top deck where they were exposed to the elements. The ship's quarters below
the upper deck was made of rough sawn lumber fastened together forming compartments, each one
holding four people. One couldn't sit upright in the upper compartment, or berth, which was located
at the sides, with trunks and baggage filling the center of the dark, windowless hold. One reached the
upper deck by a steep ship's ladder.
but steerage was horrible, with some ships taking 750 or more passengers. A child under eight was
counted as half an adult, with half rations, and infants were not counted at all. The ships would be so
crowded that people sometimes had to sleep in the gangways, and when this space filled, shacks
were thrown up on the top deck where they were exposed to the elements. The ship's quarters below
the upper deck was made of rough sawn lumber fastened together forming compartments, each one
holding four people. One couldn't sit upright in the upper compartment, or berth, which was located
at the sides, with trunks and baggage filling the center of the dark, windowless hold. One reached the
upper deck by a steep ship's ladder.
The ports of Europe were already strained and the immigrant ships of the 1840s could barely handle
the sheer numbers of people seeking refuge on foreign shores, the approximate size of an immigrant
ship being only 124 x 20 x 15 feet. Some sailed on a "bark", a three- masted vessel with foremast
and mainmast square rigged and the third mast fore and aft rigged, and others left on a "brig" having
two square-rigged masts, fore and main.
the sheer numbers of people seeking refuge on foreign shores, the approximate size of an immigrant
ship being only 124 x 20 x 15 feet. Some sailed on a "bark", a three- masted vessel with foremast
and mainmast square rigged and the third mast fore and aft rigged, and others left on a "brig" having
two square-rigged masts, fore and main.
It is estimated that about 1,100,000 people, or 2.5 per cent of the population of Germany emigrated
between 1849 and 1854 taking their fortunes with them, worth at least 300,000,000 Thaler or
900,000,000 gold marks.
between 1849 and 1854 taking their fortunes with them, worth at least 300,000,000 Thaler or
900,000,000 gold marks.
There were very few laws governing safety, feeding, or cleanliness, and storms were frequent and
often fatal. Ship fires were common, as were other accidents and collisions, and passengers, some
with many children, were crammed into steerage, often sharing an uncomfortable wooden bunk with
two or three other passengers for weeks. If there were toilets, they were usually up on deck and hard
to reach for the young, old, ill and everyone else in stormy weather. The usual facility in steerage
consisted of a few buckets with privacy screens. Cooking grates were set up on deck for steerage
passengers who had to take turns using them in order to prepare a meal and they had to provide their
own food. Diseases and illnesses spread quickly. The legislation governing slave ships from Africa
was often more humane that the legislation governing these emigration ships. The same ships
carrying in excess of 700 emigrants would only have been allowed by law to carry 490 slaves.
often fatal. Ship fires were common, as were other accidents and collisions, and passengers, some
with many children, were crammed into steerage, often sharing an uncomfortable wooden bunk with
two or three other passengers for weeks. If there were toilets, they were usually up on deck and hard
to reach for the young, old, ill and everyone else in stormy weather. The usual facility in steerage
consisted of a few buckets with privacy screens. Cooking grates were set up on deck for steerage
passengers who had to take turns using them in order to prepare a meal and they had to provide their
own food. Diseases and illnesses spread quickly. The legislation governing slave ships from Africa
was often more humane that the legislation governing these emigration ships. The same ships
carrying in excess of 700 emigrants would only have been allowed by law to carry 490 slaves.
Between 1860 and 1890, over 2.8 million German-born immigrants
lived in the United States, mostly in the "German triangle," whose 3
points were Cincinnati, St Louis and Milwaukee. It actually stretched
from Albany westward along the Erie Canal to Buffalo and farther
westward through Detroit to St. Paul and the Dakotas, then south to
Nebraska and Kansas, back to Missouri, and eastward along the Ohio
River to Baltimore. The emigrant memorial in Bremerhaven
lived in the United States, mostly in the "German triangle," whose 3
points were Cincinnati, St Louis and Milwaukee. It actually stretched
from Albany westward along the Erie Canal to Buffalo and farther
westward through Detroit to St. Paul and the Dakotas, then south to
Nebraska and Kansas, back to Missouri, and eastward along the Ohio
River to Baltimore. The emigrant memorial in Bremerhaven