Rough Seas

"The sea was a little rough. The waves would wash in over the decks at times, so all passengers were ordered below and all shutters were closed. One room for everybody, young, old, big or little. The shutter by the steps was still open, so I took Lars and sat on some sacks of sawdust that stood there, because the air was already getting warm and stuffy down there. But soon a little water would splash down the steps and so this shutter was closed too, leaving the room void of any ventilation. What a night! I shall not try to describe it--rather forget it. Only those who sailed under such conditions in a storm know what we went through."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.