1868-08-14-Emerald Isle

A Compilation of General Voyage Notes

… On August 11th the ship arrived at the entrance of New York harbor and 30 of the sick were taken ashore on Staten Island. The following day (August 12th) eight other sick people were landed, and finally, after being held in quarantine three days, the rest of the emigrants were landed at Castle Garden, August 14th. On the same day a steamer conveyed the emigrants a few miles up the Hudson River, where they found shelter in a warehouse for a couple of days, while their baggage was being weighed. While staying there a boy belonging to the company died. On the 17th the journey was resumed by railway from New York …

Autobiography and Diary of Christian Nielsen Lund

Lund, Christian Nielsen. Autobiography and diary (Ms 1900), pp 11-13.

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At the dawn of day on August 11th we beheld for the first time the shores of America. As we sailed into the beautiful harbor of New York where could be seen on either side the lovely villages and mansions on the hillsides peeping through the green foliage and pleasure steamers crossing and recrossing. We were charmed with the grandeur of the scene.

After having endured a long and very unpleasant voyage I was so overjoyed in seeing land, I went to a secluded place and offered my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for his kind care over us in leading us safely to see the land hallowed by him to bring forth his work in the [p.11] latter days.

On Friday, August 14th, we landed in Castle Garden and started the same evening by rail for the West. While on the ocean, a Sister Anna Maria Jenson [Jensen] from Odense, a poetess and afterwards my mother-in-law, presented me with the following verses composed by herself. [THE VERSES ARE IN DANISH AND NOT TRANSLATED]

We now journeyed on by rail …

Journal of Hans Jensen Hals

Journal History, September 25, 1868, pp. 7-19,21 (CHL) Journal of Hans Jensen Hals.

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Tuesday, 11--To our great joy and delight we saw land in the morning, and later a tug boat met us to take us in. This inspired the passengers with life and new hope. We buried the two children who had died the previous day in the sea. I made a visit through the ship in the interest of cleanliness and wrote letters. We passed Sandy Hook, soon after which the doctor and quarantine officers came on board. Upwards of 30 of our sick passengers were take on shore in a steamer and placed in hospital. The first mate who got mad and picked a quarrel with the captain was arrested and confined to his own room.

Wednesday, 12--Doctor and officers again boarded the ship and examined the passengers, to ascertain if there was any contagious diseases on board. The doctor took eight persons with him to shore and placed them in the hospital. I also landed with him, and then took a steamer for New York, where I found Elder Hiram B. Clawson, the emigration agent, William C. Staines and Heber John Richards, to whom I gave a report of my company, and I took lodging at a hotel.

Thursday, 13--I went to the bank with drafts and drew $26,777.25 in greenbacks and $1,000 in gold, after which I took passage on a steamer back to the quarantine landing, whence a boat took me to the Emerald Isle. Soon after I came on board anchor was lifted and a tug boat took the vessel in to the city wharf. Here I landed together with the captain and the doctor and put up at the Stevens Hotel.

Friday, 14--I went to Castle Garden and received the emigrants who were landed from the Emerald Isle. After passing through the general routine at the landing offices, we boarded two steamboats which took us a couple of miles up the river to a large shed by the railway station, where we commenced to weigh the baggage and make other preparations for the overland journey. [p.17]

Saturday, 15--We continued the weighing of goods. A child died and was sent into the town for burial. It was a very busy day for us, and we used a railroad car for an office, where four of the brethren assisted me with the business affairs of the company. In the evening the train left with the emigrants for the west. I remained behind to finish the business together with Brother Scholdebrand [John Skolderand].

Sunday, 16--Worked hard at my office in the railway car.

Monday, 17--We left New York by rail and traveled to Suspension Bridge.

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Reminiscences and Journal of Hans Jorgenson

Jorgenson, Hans. Reminiscences and journal (Ms 7330), pp. 79-82, 84.

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About daybreak on the 11th of August, 1868, we to our great joy saw the land for which we so long a time had been longing. Having now been on the deadly ship 7 weeks and 3 days, we all felt to thank God our deliverer that he had spared our lives and permitted us to see the land of which we had so great hopes and anticipations. We were quarantined 3 days outside of New York and on the 14th we were permitted to put our feet on American soil.

On the 15th 10 o'clock in the evening, we left New York per rail via Albany & Niagara. The train stopped there and we had a splendid view of the great waterfall and I walked over the great suspension bridge on the 17th.

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