I’ve been absorbed all week in a project that has become more interesting than I ever imagined.
My great great grandfather and grandmother came to America from Switzerland with eleven children in 1853. This was before Ellis Island. Steamer ships were just beginning to be used. Their crossing was on a packet ship called the Roger Stewart.
The Roger Stewart was built of oak and hackmatack or balsam poplar. Almost all the labor was by hand. The carpenters had but few tools besides the broad ax, saw, adz and pod auger. The ship smith, with the help of his strikers, worked his own iron. She measured 180 x 37 x 18 and could carry 425 passengers.
A packet ship carried packets of mail along with immigrants. There were a few first class cabins, but most immigrants were housed in the steerage, which was below the main deck. On good days, they opened the latches and had fair ventilation. If there was a storm, they closed the hatches and the poor people below were required to ride out the storm in the stale and most likely rancid conditions.
Food consisted of salt meat, herring, potatoes, rice, dried peas and bread. Passengers were required to bring their own food and cooking utensils.
Sea sickness was a constant battle. I found songs and poems written about it. In the whole, this ship was not too big and I am sure it rocked in the waves a great deal.
Between 1847 and 1853, fifty-nine packet ships were lost with all on board. And by the 1850s one of every six steerage passengers either died or became dangerously sick while at sea.
All thirteen of my forbears made it, including a six month baby. I am giving a power point presentation with emphasis on Anna Marie, the mother and wife, at the reunion a week from this Sunday. I am stressed about doing a good job. There will be many relatives there.
