The Arrival of the Immigrant: Inside the Barge Office at Ellis Island in 1898
📌 Explore the immigration process at the Barge Office in New York in 1898. Learn about the experiences of immigrants, especially Italians, as they arrived in the United States during the late 19th century.
The Arrival of the Immigrant – 1898
Overview and Relevance to Immigration History 🗽⚖️
“The Arrival of the Immigrant” from 1898 offers a vivid, detailed portrayal of the immigration experience at the Barge Office in New York, just before immigrants were processed and either admitted or detained. This article serves as a valuable resource for teachers, students, genealogists, historians, and anyone interested in immigration history, as it explores the emotions, processes, and challenges faced by immigrants arriving in the U.S. during this pivotal time in American history. By capturing both the physical conditions of the arrival process and the cultural nuances of the immigrants, it provides a rich historical context for those researching the experiences of immigrants in the late 19th century.
In the Barge Office Where Groups of Immigrants Are Made Up, Awaiting the Services of Guides. © 1914 Photographic Bureau of the New York Edison Company, The Edison Monthly, October 1914. GGA Image ID # 149df979e0
It is "steamship day" at the Barge Office, that turreted building of gray stone on the Battery's outer wall. Up the bay a few hours before, an ocean liner has been crawling in from some of the cities of far-distant Europe.
If he had been aboard that boat, the onlooker might have seen a strange sight or the people of the steerage as they felt they were at their journey's end and herded eagerly in their limited deck space to get one glimpse of what America was like.
These are the men and women, the children in arms and clinging to skirts, that the Barge Office receives; the motley, Ill-assorted crowd the Federal officers of Immigration sift and winnow with a skill you wonder at.
They have been brought, baggage, babies and all-many babies and little baggage, alas!-to these sheds of the Barge Office now taking the place of burned Ellis Island, in a broad-decked Government harbor boat, a mass of hundreds of the unwashed tugging at grimy bundles. A few cheap trunks proclaim the existence of " steerage aristocrats."
But there are few of these. The bulk and majority have little more than the clothes on their backs, hardly anything in their pockets. Yet, for this, they are not at all. The discomforts of the voyage, too, are forgotten. Are they not on the threshold of their hopes, and have they not already caught one sight of the land of gold-America-they heard discussed so eagerly over their countryside, in their village lanes, or their cities' alleyways?
So, they landed from the boat that had taken them off their ship, divided into groups that would, individual by individual, be passed through America's great Immigration mill; the newcomers stood or crouched patiently, hundreds at a time. The first lesson they had to learn was that of waiting, and this the people who are the offscourings of Europe learn readily. Instead, it is the one thing they already know.
A year at the Barge Office sees men and women of all nationalities, families from the remotest and smallest States of Europe, from localities even whose names are strange to the best-educated American. But one tide always overshadows the rest, one nation or race that is having its day and pours into New York from abroad in a stream that makes the other comings of little consequence. Thus, years ago, came over vast sections of Ireland and Germany; therefore, at times, have descended upon America the latter-day Norsemen; thus, in the eighteen-eighties, the flux from the Ghettoes, the Juden-strasses and the village streets of Russia, Russian Poland, and all of Jewish Western Europe. These tides have now approximately ceased. In their places come in droves, as fast as the steamers can carry them, men and women of Sunny Italy.
The Barge Office. The Immigrant's First View of The Metropolis Of New York. Metropolitan Magazine, February 1899. GGA Image ID # 14c0e4f3dc
It is not that there are no longer immigrants from other countries, but that Italy has recently leaped into first place in the immigration problem. The stream of Hebrew immigrants is flowing thinly now; scant is the number of Germans and Austrians who want America for a new fatherland. Italian is the immigrant of the hour. The boot that is Humbert's domain seems to be leaking, and if you, oh! man, who reads and studies, should stand in the Barge Office daily for a while, you would think that every Italian town and village, yes, and every hillside, was being deserted In the race for the dollars of America.
Set down in figures, this migration of the "Dago," as we have come to call him, and, which does not seem an inappropriate term as the raw product is seen at the Battery before he has "squeezed through," is really extraordinarily large. The following figures were compiled from the Immigration records for a speech made in Congress by Charles W. Fairbanks of Indiana last January.
For the seventy-two years ended 1892, out of nearly 15,000,000 immigrants, there were 4,700,000 Germans, 3,600,000 from Ireland, 2,500,000 English, 1,030,000 Norsemen and Swedes, and but 517,000 from Russia and Poland, 585,000 from Austria-Hungary, only 526,110 Italians. In 1803, out of 429,000 immigrants, 72,000, or one-sixth, were Italians. Italy, never of account before, stood second on the list behind Germany only, and but 6,000 souls in the rear.
During the years that have followed, the percentage of people from "the boot " has enormously increased. In 1804, 43,000 Italians came over, again one-sixth of the steerage arrivals. Italy is again the second country. In 1895 she passed Germany and was led only by Ireland, this being, for some reason, a massive year for people from the "ould sod." Italy has held undisputed leadership in the last two years, with 68,000 men and women in 1896 and 60,000 in 1897, the first year more than one-fifth, the latter year fully one-quarter.
These figures concern the entire Immigration Into the United States, and this only strengthens the point of the outpouring of modern Italy upon us. For the country, however, read New York City. It means much the same thing. However, a small, insignificant, inconsiderable fraction of the immigrants land at other ports. New York Is what the town laborer, the farmhand, always has in his mind. He may wander elsewhere after a short stay, or he may even pass through the city, but "New York " is his goal and the one geographical title besides " Amerlc " that rings over United Italy today.
Hungarian Peasants Passing Through the Barge Office. Metropolitan Magazine, February 1899. GGA Image ID # 14c0244f77
Some further curious statistics are to be found. It has been learned that the destination of 75 percent of the immigrants arriving here in 1807 was the North Atlantic States, 40 percent. New York State alone. Illinois, including Chicago (to which city it would be thought huge numbers would go), is credited with but 5 percent, and to Pennsylvania, there went but 14 percent. Take the Italians (nationalities are not separated In these figures) from the reports of expert observers among the Federal officials. It will be discovered that at least an even more significant percentage remain in and about New York for some weeks after their arrival.
Like the traditional "woman's work," the labor of the Federal officers at the Barge Office is never done. An ocean steamship lands six hundred a thousand souls upon them instantly. Half a dozen such steamers may heap human freight at their door for " examination " in one day. The arrival of two or three ships, large and small, is not an infrequent occurrence. All these entitles, shreds, and patches from foreign shores must be handled.
You and I, standing in the Barge Office surveying the scene with Thomas Fitchie, New York Commissioner of Immigration, or Edward F. McSweeney, Assistant Commissioner, an expert of much repute in the management of foreigners, see only the mass, we number these people that have crossed the sea merely by hundreds. In the masses, they delight our sense of the picturesque; they disgust our sense of smell. Yet, they gathered there in long lines, a cargo full of human life, in costumes that breathe forth the villages and cities of foreign lands, quaint in their bits of talk, with babies bright-eyed and children dirty but yet adorable, Italy comes to America has its charm -- and a strong one.
But all of this is in the mass. It is the part of the officials to examine each thread of this gay-tinted fabric. Each man, woman, and child, too, must pass in turn In review before the stern eyes, the searching questions of an Inspector.
With a consummate skill that official probes into each life, he sees only individuals in the vast crowd. The quaint picture is nothing to him; there is only the man, perhaps the woman, before his desk.
Thus, in the great room of the great shed where the immigrants await the test that decides upon their admission to the " land of gold," there come to be, after a while, no longer a confused congregation of human figures but men and women just like you and me, with their hopes and ambitions, their loves and "vain regrets." their little families and their futures-all this, indeed, in a minor sense, for the bulk of these people are of small intelligence. Still, none of these things are lacking. In its review, the government tries only to set apart the sheep from the goats.
Hon. Thomas J. Fitchie, United States Commissioner of Immigration, Port Of New York. Metropolitan Magazine, February 1899. GGA Image ID # 14c00a6d74
Italy Is lined up in these " pens " under this shed's roof, the " pens" being for the newly arrived aisles made by stout Iron railings; for the detained," those that have been examined and not admitted, the " rejected." and those who are to go before the Inquiry Board, spaces blocked off into rooms by durable iron netting from floor to ceiling. However, one shipload is handled at a time, and each immigrant has a card distinguished by a letter and a number. The number is his identification on the ship's manifest. The letter shows the aisle in which he is to stand while waiting.
Briefly, the inspection is a simple one. With health and a little money, a man, no matter how great his family, is considered a desirable Immigrant. The doors of the promised land fly open at a touch. Vigor and cash capital of about $30 will carry the foreigner and his household through the lines without trouble. The energy is evident to the doctors who scan each man, two or three watching the line in review, one for certain physical defects and another for conditions of health of another order.
Thus, a man is sometimes ordered abruptly and out of line. Another! Both doctors were right. This immigrant had an eye infection (the doctor noticed it by how he walked). This man's phthisis (the medical eye suspected It.) As to finance, the wanderer from abroad must hand his little hoard to the Inspector for counting. With the best of the Italians who come here, this consists of a few pitiful greasy bits of paper money, a coin or two, too few to even jingle.
A day spent watching these lines of peasants and people experiencing poverty in Mediterranean cities wears quickly along. It is really the offscourings of King Humbert's domain that Are passing before your eyes. No skilled working people these, few even that, though in this country of opportunities, will ever rise above their present plans. Nearly all are of the fashion content to stay poor and care for labor and the lowest places.
Hon. Edward F. McSweeney, Deputy Commissioner. Metropolitan Magazine, February 1899. GGA Image ID # 14c019b239
Many have no intention of remaining for more than a few years. Five hundred dollars, a thousand at most, laid aside, Italy again, and a life of idleness beneath the vines of some tiny house in a village. Five hundred dollars is a fortune to an Italian peasant. Meanwhile, during their days here, they keep sending their earnings abroad. The authorities here figured that the Incredible amount of $25,000,000 to $30.000,000 is sent to Italy each year by the Italians of New York alone.
And yet, seen here, on the threshold of America, these men and women of Italy are strangely fascinating. Under all their poverty, uncouthness, and illiteracy, they bring with them the aroma of the hills and old towns of South Europe, the romantic charm of the people of the Mediterranean shores. They are mainly from the regions of Naples and Genoa, some from Sicily, others from Calabria.
Nearly all were farm laborers, for the country regions are now sending their hordes over in ships; it is the genuine peasant who is coming.
The men will work as common laborers, mainly in stone quarries and excavations. The boys will do odd jobs, such as carrying water in factories. The women will find employment as cigar makers or tailors, and the girls will do housework, even down to the very smallest. Such is the future of these Italians who stand watching and waiting at the bar of America for permission to enter.
The Board of Inquiry. The Men Who Pass Upon the Eligibility of Immigrants to Become Americans. Metropolitan Magazine, February 1899. GGA Image ID # 14c0091008
She stands before Inspector Angiolina Felicetta with $12.15 in her little purse. She has come to join her husband, who, afterward found, is waiting for her in the crowd outside. He has come ahead to test America. All is seemingly propitious; the girl's wife has come over to join him. She is but seventeen, a slip of a Neapolitan. A clumsy-fitting frock of green and yellow stripes sets badly on her girlish figure. The white cotton lace on it is torn and soiled. She wears carpet slippers, and on her head, a gay Gazzetta di testa (handkerchief) is coquettishly entwined. Angiolina, according to American Canons, is dirty. In Italy, you would Kodak her at once, and fresh off the steamship, she has not lost her Old-World charm.
With the green and yellow stripes, she wears a gorgeous pink ribbon around her neck and a yellow and green basket in her hand—her entire wardrobe.
Francesco—his last name does not come to mind—a strapping young fellow, so capable-looking that he was passed with but $6 in his pocket, was a costume study in himself. He wore a pink shirt, a blue necktie, a dark blue suit, and carried a gray shawl. And he was but a suitable type of the men along the line. Gayness in costume invariably marked them. With the women in their peasant garb, gayness never fails. With the brightness of their gowns, their strange slippers, the Gazzetta di testa, the scale, or the neckerchief, the picture in review is never-ending and is panoramic in its features.
The Bambini, the babies, swathed in long bands (fascia), are an integral part of the scene, with the aid of an Inspectress, the pretty young Italian girl mother being cajoled. The writer unrolled one of these babies from its numerous wrappings. Long stripes of some Italian fabric, yards of it, were wound about the child. Neck to feet, it was covered. Four separate wrappings are all bound to this baby. When rolled up its toilet completely, it was one stiff mass; a board could be no more rigid. On a hot Summer's day, the Inspectors were mopping the sweat from their brows. And the baby, a modern mummy, lay on its mother's knee and smiled.
Outside in the park and in a special room, the Italians of New York continually await their friends. Express wagons stand for the bundles, bags, and the immigrants themselves. At the meetings, there is much joy. This is for the admitted. In the meantime, in the "pens," the "detained" wait, eat, and sleep. It is unusual to see the mealing, especially of the children. The steamship companies pay for that.
Cromwell Childe, "The Arrival of the Immigrant," in The New York Times, 14 August 1898, pp. 30-31.
Key Points and Engaging Content 📝
The Immigrant Experience at the Barge Office 🚢
The article paints a striking picture of the immigrant journey as thousands arrive in New York Harbor, herded into the Barge Office to be processed. The sights, sounds, and emotions of these new arrivals are described vividly, bringing to life the overwhelming sense of hope and anticipation they felt upon reaching America.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: In the Barge Office where Groups of Immigrants Are Made Up, Awaiting the Services of Guides – This image captures the chaotic yet hopeful atmosphere of the Barge Office, where immigrants wait their turn to be processed.
The Tidal Wave of Italian Immigration 🇮🇹
A central theme is the rise of Italian immigration during the late 19th century, which, by 1898, overtook earlier waves of Irish, German, and Jewish immigrants. The article reveals how Italy became the dominant source of immigrants, with the vast majority heading directly to New York City in search of economic opportunity.
📌 Noteworthy Insight: The author highlights the shift in immigration patterns, with Italy surpassing Germany in the number of emigrants, an interesting historical development. The figures are provided in a clear, statistical format, showing the surge in Italian immigration, making this a key resource for anyone studying immigration trends.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: Hungarian Peasants Passing Through the Barge Office – A powerful visual of the diversity of immigrants arriving at the Barge Office, highlighting both the variety of nationalities and the unfortunate poverty of many.
The Diversity and Poverty of the Immigrants 👕💰
The article delves into the immigrant’s attire, illustrating their poorer background. The image of immigrants dressed in ragged clothing with little more than a few dollars in their pockets paints a picture of desperation and determination.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: The Barge Office. The Immigrant's First View of The Metropolis of New York – This image illustrates the overwhelming first view immigrants had of New York, making it an important cultural document, showing their initial awe and anticipation.
The Medical and Financial Scrutiny 🩺💵
Upon arrival, immigrants were subjected to medical examinations and financial checks. The article gives a detailed account of the rigorous scrutiny they faced: from checking for physical defects to verifying whether they had enough money to avoid being a burden on the state.
📌 Noteworthy Insight: The $30 threshold for admission was an important factor, as it determined the immigrant’s eligibility. If they lacked money, they could be sent back, which sheds light on the economic barriers to immigration and the struggle of the poor.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: The Board of Inquiry. The Men Who Pass Upon the Eligibility of Immigrants to Become Americans – This image portrays the immigration board’s role, as inspectors determined who would be allowed to stay and who would be detained.
The Sense of Community and Hope 🌎❤️
Despite the rigorous process, there is a strong sense of community among the immigrants. The joyful reunions depicted as immigrants are reunited with their loved ones underscore the resilience and hope that defined their experiences.
The author also discusses the influence of Italian culture, with vibrant descriptions of the clothing and behaviors of the immigrants, which adds a humanizing element to the story. The article doesn’t just focus on the logistics of immigration but also the cultural richness immigrants brought with them.
Immigration as a Social Issue 💼⚖️
The article highlights the social complexities of immigration, touching on the tensions between native-born Americans and newcomers. The stereotyping of Italian immigrants, referred to as “Dagos,” is also discussed, providing a historical perspective on immigrant prejudice.
📌 Noteworthy Insight: The article reflects on the economic conditions of the time, illustrating how immigrants were often blamed for taking jobs and driving down wages, offering a nuanced look at immigrant relations in late 19th-century America.
The Role of the Immigration Officials 🕵️♂️💼
Immigration officials at the Barge Office are portrayed as having a dual role: one of ensuring security and order, but also one of understanding and assisting immigrants in their new lives in America. The article shows that despite their stringent duties, officials like Thomas Fitchie and Edward McSweeney were often deeply involved in the human side of immigration, helping immigrants through the process.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: Hon. Thomas J. Fitchie, United States Commissioner of Immigration, Port of New York – This image of Thomas Fitchie highlights the personal side of immigration control, showing the individuals behind the bureaucratic process.
Educational and Historical Value 🎓📜
📌 For Teachers and Students: This article provides an excellent primary source for understanding the immigrant experience at the Barge Office in the late 19th century. It can be used to discuss cultural assimilation, immigration policy, and the human experience during a period of intense European migration.
📌 For Genealogists: Genealogists will find this article valuable for understanding the context in which their ancestors might have arrived at Ellis Island. The details of the immigration process, including how immigrants were examined and processed, can help trace family stories and enrich genealogical research.
📌 For Historians: Historians will appreciate the detailed account of the immigrant experience and the economic, political, and cultural issues surrounding late 19th-century immigration. The statistical insights into the growth of Italian immigration are particularly valuable for understanding the shift in migration patterns during this time.
Suggested Improvements and Considerations ✨
While the article provides a thorough description of the immigration process and immigrant experiences, incorporating firsthand accounts or interviews from immigrants could offer even deeper insights into the emotional and personal aspects of the process.
This article remains a critical historical document for anyone studying immigration history, the Italian-American experience, or the social dynamics of the late 19th century. It provides essential context for understanding the immigrant journey to America and is invaluable for educators, genealogists, historians, and anyone interested in the evolution of immigration policy and cultural exchange.
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