‘THERE IS TO BE A MEDICAL INSPECTION OF PASSENGERS AND CREW before we are allowed to sail into New York harbour,’ announced Mr Dwyer as the Lady Jane dropped anchor near Staten Island. ‘Anyone found with fever or contagion will be removed from the ship to Staten Island’s Marine Hospital – a quarantine station. It is the law here.’
The passengers grew nervous and uneasy as a smaller ship docked beside them and an official inspector came on board.
‘I heard that if a large number of passengers shows any sign of fever, the ship itself could be quarantined for thirty days,’ Johnny Meagher had told them grimly.
‘Thirty days!’
Mary’s heart sank at the thought of having to spend another month in these conditions. Surely people would not be so cruel to them when their journey’s end was so tantalizingly close.
She watched silently as two men, unable to hide their disgust at the foul conditions, moved quickly among the passengers while another sat grim-faced at a long rough table. A sailor stood beside him with the ship’s manifesto, as he called people forward.
The medical inspector’s expression was serious as he examined each person from head to toe. Eyes, nose, ears and throat. Feeling their neck, looking under their arms, and examining their skin carefully, looking for tell-tale typhus pustules and ship fever spots.
Poor Mrs Murphy, Mary thought. The inspector, who had already been informed of Michael’s death, examined her, her husband and two younger sons. He pronounced gravely that they all were infected and were to be taken to the hospital. A young wife, who had lain in her bunk, sweating and tossing and turning since last week, was also lifted off the ship, accompanied by her upset husband.
Mary and John stepped forward slowly when their names were called. She worried for all the children, but mostly for Annie who looked wretched. She gave her daughter’s cheeks a quick pinch to try to give her some colour.
‘I see you already have lost a son,’ the medical officer stated matter-of-factly, as he began to examine the children.
‘Yes, sir.’ John nodded, trying to disguise the concern on his face as the man began to examine Annie.
The poor child was terrified of him, her eyes welling with tears.
‘I am well, sir,’ said Tim, standing straight and strong when his turn came.
Nora, Jude and Sarah were all nervous and quiet as the inspector made them cough and stick out their tongues.
Then it was Mary’s turn. She blushed at the filth and odour of her skin and clothes as the man ran his fingers over her neck, shoulders and legs, and studied her throat and mouth, examining her as you would an animal at the market. He then called John forward and repeated the exercise all over again.
‘Mr and Mrs Sullivan, I have to admit that I have concerns about your youngest child, Annie. She seems very weak.’
‘Sir, she’s had the seasickness since we left Cork,’ Mary tried to explain. ‘She has kept little down and has just lain in her bunk the whole journey, only eating like a little mouse.’
‘Aye, so that is it,’ he said, writing on the list. ‘Mrs Sullivan, my advice is that once you land, your child will need good care and nourishment if she is to be well again.’
He gestured for them to move away as another passenger’s name was called.
Mary’s legs nearly went from under her with relief as she grabbed hold of Annie in her arms and hugged her tightly.
Ten passengers in all were removed to the hospital from the ship, along with a seaman who had been ill and unable to do his duties the past few days. Fortune had smiled on the rest of them and the captain was given permission to continue their journey.
The Lady Jane sailed slowly through Upper Bay to the wharfs and piers of New York where the rough Atlantic Ocean met the mouth of the broad Hudson River. A strange mixture of excitement, nervousness and emotion overwhelmed Mary as she, John and the children caught their first glimpse of the country that would be their new home.
‘Look, Mam, just look it!’ declared Tim, his eyes shining as they took in the city with its tall structures and streets all crowded together, the roads and warehouses, the horses and carriages. ‘It’s huge.’
New York. The name tripped off their tongues and John gripped Mary’s hand tightly as they approached the wharf where they would anchor.
The buildings, people and horses were getting closer and closer. The children began jumping up and down, giddy with excitement as at last they reached land.