Chicago, Milwaukee or Sheboygan. After the railroad link from New York to Chicago
was complete by 1852, immigrants could also choose the speedier but more costly
iron horse.
Fares
Transatlantic fares were relatively cheap at the time of the Great Migration and they
became even cheaper after the Civil War.36 Fares varied, of course, with demand, sea
son of the year, and destination (New York was cheapest and New Orleans most
The Maasdam [2] of the NASM at the Koningshaven in Rotterdam, circa 1890. She was capable to accommo
date 90 first class passengers, 52 second class passengers and 694 'between decks' passengers Gemeentelijke
Archiefdienst Rotterdam).
expensive because the trip there was ten to twenty days longer). In the 1840s,
Rotterdam to New York fares averaged $14 35) for a third class ticket in steerage,
the infamous 'between decks' (tussendeks).11 Fares were comparable at other conti
nental ports. Liverpool was the lowest at $12, but the fare from Rotterdam was $4 and
the trip by ship and rail took ten more days. In addition, emigrants had to provide their
own food during the voyage (about $8 per person), and pay the transport and lodging
costs to reach their European departure port, where occasional delays in sailings
might add to the expense. It took three to four days, for example, to reach Rotterdam
from Groningen and the fare was 1.25. Once in Rotterdam, shipping companies allo
wed ticketed passengers to live free on the ship until sailing.
Upon arrival in America many newcomers faced an inland trip of several weeks
before reaching their final destination. In the 1840s the Hudson River steamer to
Albany cost 25 cents and the Erie Canal fare was $7-8. A Lake Erie steamer from
Buffalo to Detroit cost $4, with an additional $5-6 fare to traverse lakes Huron and
26
ZEEUWSE EMIGRATIE NAAR AMERIKA 1840-1920
