What must an immigrant have felt when entering New York Harbor?

I think it must have been a mixture of sadness for the country and loved ones left behind, fear at the new experience, and joy at finally being in America after the long trip. I have been wondering the same thing recently. In a couple of months I'm taking a group of my students to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on a field trip.

Hi Sweets, This is fiction... How I can imagine myself feeling... The ship has finally arived. I can see the island and will be stepping on my new country very soon. I am so fortunate to have made it here alive. I will say a prayer for the souls lost during the journey and thanks for my survival. I am afraid. I do not know what this land holds for me.Will I find lodging,food,friends? I am excited. Here is a new adventure and an new chance for a better life.I can work hard and send money home and they will be proud of me. I am so happy I could cry easily so I will steel myself.I do hope noone says a kind word to me right this minute! I am sad. I wonder if I will ever be able to see my family,friends,my mother country again. This was a hard journey.Will I ever again earn enough money to do it again.And will I dare put my life in the hands of the sea again? The few valueable things my family had are gone so I can have this chance. So much at stake. Can I ever repay my family. I will send them every spare penny! So many new things to see. I can't wait to get started at the new job I have been promised.I will do my very best.They will be glad they have hired me.I will work from sunrise to sunset and after to thank them for giving me this chance. I hope I will be safe. Are Americans kind? How will I be treated? They are calling us to get into the small boats to go to Ellis Island. I am shivering! ....... Hope that helps! Kisses to the twins Big Hug to you Doll

I heard stories similar to that of people coming to America with only a few dollars in their pocket, and when they came to America they came for a better life. When they saw New York they saw it as "a light at the end of the tunnel".

What they most likely felt was relief. Most people today picture those ships as yesteryear's equivalent of a cruiseliner... nope, not even. They slept on wood platforms in the lower decks. They weren't allowed on the upper decks where they would get in the way of the rigging and the crew. When storms hit, the there was no fresh air or light. The "chamber pots" could not be emptied either. Seasick (or just sick) passengers vomited where they sat, and the filth stayed in place until the storm was over.

Hi, here is a link for Ellis Island and if you have enough information about your great grandfather you can bring up his passenger records, that would be nice to include in their project. http://www.ellisisland.org/

while i am not american (canadian here) i am a history fanatic and am very interested in the history of NYC especially during that time frame (late 1800 - ww1) i imagine that fear would have been the biggest thing - especially if they didnt speak english...even then, there were a lot of dishonest souls looking to make a buck, and no doubht the ship ride and even the experience at ellis island werent the most pleasent... and probably excitement - any new beginning comes with a lot of fear and at the same time, excitement... good luck!