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Chapter 8 The Voyage The following two websites describe the typical sail and steam ship journeys from Scandinavian countries to the United States that our ancestors experienced. While they describe the departures from Norway, the Sweden routes were similar. Migration from Northern Europe to America via the Port of Hull, 1848-1888 The Transatlantic Crossing, Norwegian emigrants on the Atlantic Photos of the feeder ship and the two types of Trans-Atlantic ships are shown below. A comparison of them is important to understand how the travel from Sweden improved over two decades. When John emigrated in 1868, the major difference between the North Sea feeder ship and the Trans-Atlantic sail-steam ship was merely one of size. They were both mainly dependent on the wind, and the ride was rough. Crossing the Atlantic took from two to four weeks. These sail-steamships of the late 1860's were eventually replaced with better ships. Twenty-five years later, the Carl Petersson family arrived at Ellis Island. The six-day voyage was not only two to three times faster, it was much smoother and safer. Carl had traveled alone on two earlier occasions to the United States and was processed at Castle Garden. He now was returning permanently with his family. On September 26, 1894, the White Star Line ship MAJESTIC arrived at Ellis Island after departure from Liverpool, England. Page 0396 of the manifest listed Carl and his family (bracketed together) occupying space in the aft part of the ship, with 7 pieces of luggage whose native country was Sweden and whose destination was Chicago. Note: It was very common to only record the first names of the children." Isic" is misspelled, and should be Isak. The "Nil" comment for Ester's occupation meant she was over 12 and unemployed. The Majestic was built in 1889 and was one of the first new ships on White Star's transatlantic route in almost 15 years. She was used exclusively by the White Star Line on this run. She once held the Blue Riband for a westbound Liverpool - New York crossing of 5 days, 18 hours and 8 minutes, at an average speed of just over 20 knots. The rates for 1st cabin were en $90-$150, 2nd cabin was $40-$45, and steerage was $10. One of her 'claims to fame' was that she was one of Captain Edward John Smith's previous commands. He would later become the captain of the Titanic. 
Figure 1. North Sea Feeder Ship 
Figure 2. North Sea Steamship 
Figure 3. The Majestic 
Figure 4. The Majestic's Manifest |
