“Agreed, lass. It will be done quickly. Now tell me what to do with the dead, and does everything need to be burned?” He demands, drawing her from the room.
They spend the rest of the day, going over protocols and listening to her suggestions. Victor speaks to some of the men regarding structural changes they can make. Summer is not used to so many people relying on her for their health and wellness. It is a heavy burden to carry, and she is once again grateful to have Victor at her side.
Through it all Victor and Danny stay with her, lending a hand to lift and move things or offering suggestions and protecting her. Summer is sipping on her tea with Mary, Sean’s wife and going over the protocol with some of the women when Sean turns to Victor.
“You are one lucky lad to be marrying the likes of her. Ya do right by her or I will take her from you.” Sean states and stomps off. Danny stands behind him grinning from ear to ear.
“Why is it that everyone keeps telling me that?” Victor snorts. “As if I don't know she is special.” He watches her laughing with some of the women, and his pride in her grows.
Sean stops to talk with her and takes Summer to the side. “If you ever need anything, lass, you have only to ask?”
“Truly?” She looks back at Victor, who is talking to one of Sean’s men and she whispers in Sean’s ear. He looks shocked for a second but quickly recovers.
“I know exactly what you need. I will have it delivered to your home tomorrow.” Her relief is evident as she smiles at him. They return home exhausted but thankful to have had the opportunity to help. Victor and Summer promise Sean they will return to look over the changes he has made. In the meantime, she decides to talk to the hospital administrators about helping the immigrants. This situation must change. Summer orders a hot bath and has her clothes bagged up. She instructs Victor and Danny to do the same. Sanitation is the key to not bringing home any sickness. Summer sleeps that night and dreams of people rushing from ships onto the streets of New York.
Chapter 36
A whistle blows on the ship signaling their arrival through the fog. Excitement rolls through the passengers crowded on the deck. “Ain’t that the grandest sight you’ve ever witnessed,” One woman whispers to her children. Alex has to agree. A tug comes through the fog to guide them to port. As they dock the long process of departing begins. Being visitors to the country Alex and Seth are not required to go through quite the ordeal the immigrants must endure.
The first person to enter the ship is an officer from the boarding department. He runs the quarantine station, and every vessel is boarded by an officer where he determines the number of passengers, deaths, births, and amount of sickness on board. He also will examine the vessel for cleanliness and ascertain how many, and what types of translators will be needed to make the process smoother.
“Is it always like this?” Seth asks the Captain.
“Yes. The passengers are lined up to be inspected for sickness. Those that pass the exam will be allowed to depart and are moved to Castle Garden, for entrance processing.”
Alex watches as the passengers are inspected by multiple agents from the boarding department. Behind them on the boarding ramp are officers from the Metropolitan Police Force. They will transfer the passengers and oversee the quarantine of those who will be sent to the hospitals or quarantine station, depending on the sickness.
“The police will be the ones to inform the blind, crippled or ‘lunatics’ and any who have been flagged as a potential problem that they will not be permitted entry into the United States.”
“That's harsh, isn't it? I mean what harm could a blind or crippled person pose?” Seth demands.
“Look around boys, we have multiple ships with hundreds of people immigrating daily. They can’t possibly afford to take care of all of them, it is a requirement that they be able to fend for themselves and not become dependent on the states.” The captain excuses himself to go oversee the rest of the procedures.
“Makes me ever so grateful that we are merely visiting.” Seth snaps.
“I can’t wait to get off this damn ship,” Alex agrees.
A scream of terror rips across the deck, and their attention is drawn to a woman and child. The child is being taken from the mother who is screaming in German. He is burning up with fever and will be sent to the hospital. She will be given the option to go with him to the hospital, but neither will be entering the country today. Star Island is the quarantine station. Most that transfer to the island don't survive.
Finally, after hours of this process, they are allowed to step off of the boarding ramp. Seth and Alex have endured a physical to make sure they aren't sick and been tagged like animals with a brass luggage tag. This tag matches the number or letter on their respective cases.
The piers are crowded and noisy as they are guided towards the Castle Garden entrance. Alex is reminded of cattle being driven into contained areas. They are scrutinized, questioned, poked and prodded until they have satisfied the requirements allowing them to enter the country. Then herded into a large open area called the “Rotunda.”
The rotunda is simply a large circular space with separate booths for the multiple languages. This is the registration department
