voyage
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Montreal Gazette, Monday, August 14, 1893
THE ICELANDERS ARRIVE
Five Hundred Hardy Northerners Come to Canada
The
Beaver Line steamship S.S. Lake Huron, Captain Carey, arrived in
port on Saturday afternoon with passengers and a general cargo. She
sailed from Liverpool on July 29, with 21 cabin, 29 intermediate, and
70 steerage passengers, besides a general cargo for Quebec, Montreal
and the West. Instead of coming straight to Montreal the Lake Huron
made for Seyðisfjördur, Iceland, to receive 500
Icelanders who
intend to settle in the Canadian Northwest. The Lake Huron steamed into
Seyðisfjördur bay at noon on August 1, and being the
first
vessel to arrive in that part of the country for a great number of
years was the object of much interest to the Icelanders. As the vessel
was anchored in the bay for 32 hours the officers went ashore for a
walk and they say that although the Icelanders have some very nice
houses the principal buildings are the sheriff's office, the post
office, a newspaper office, and a saloon. The editor of the Austri (the
Sun), a four sheet journal published bi-monthly, visited the ship and
was so impressed with what he saw on board the vessel that he intends
publishing a special number.
The
authorities of Iceland are strongly adverse to immigration and Mr.
Christophersson, of Manitoba, has had considerable trouble in gathering
together the 500 Icelanders. The steamer Wiltshire, which had been
chartered by the Beaver Line to cruise up and down the country
collecting the party, arrived alongside the Lake Huron on August 2
and
she continued her journey at 9 o'clock the same evening.
Fine
weather prevailed up to August 7 when fog set in detaining the
vessel for four hours. Passed Belle Isle at 1.10 p.m. on the 8th. The
first icebergs were passed about 100 miles east of Belle Isle, which
continued up to Point Amour. Fine clear weather and variable winds were
experienced in the Gulf. Passed Heath Point (Anticosti Isld.) at 1 p.m.
on the 9th, Father Point at 2 p.m. on the 10th, arriving at Quebec at
8.25 a.m. on the 11th, when the Quebec and Western cargo was
discharged, as the whole of the steerage passengers were disembarked.
During
the trip one of the Icelanders died in child birth and was
buried at sea, the funeral service being most impressive, the whole of
the Icelanders singing hymns as the remains were committed to the deep.
(Margrét Jónsdóttir wife of
John
Hrappstead, died August 6, 1893.) On Tuesday night a very
successful concert was held aboard which was much appreciated, and the
Liverpool Seamen's orphanage benefited by a good sum. Before leaving
the ship to proceed to their destinations the Icelanders marked their
appreciation of the kindness shown them by presenting Captain Carey and
his officers with the following pleasing testimonial, which had 500
signatures, and which speaks for itself:
"We
have great pleasure in presenting the following testimonial to the
Beaver Line company. Their steamer Lake Huron left Liverpool for
Iceland where the emigrants embarked on Wednesday, August 9, at
Seyðisfördur. We are a large party, numbering 525
people, men,
women and children, accompanied by the Government agent from Manitoba.
From the moment of our arrival on board we have received every kindness
possible from all on board. Our accommodation has been very good, and
kept properly cleaned and well ventilated. Our food has been abundant,
well cooked, well served, and we had three good meals every day. The
captain, doctor and chief steward, accompanied by Mr. Christophersson,
the agent, made an inspection of our quarters every morning at 10.30
a.m., when everything had to be in good order. We particularly wish to
thank the doctor for his kind efforts and courtesy. We are sorry, and
deeply regret the death of one of our number in child-birth, in spite
of his skill and attention. We also desire to thank Captain Carey for
his kind thoughtfulness and care with which the funeral arrangements
were managed. In conclusion, we give our best wishes to the captain and
his staff, all round, desiring them every success, and we are sure our
friends remaining in Iceland, intending to emigrate, will be well cared
for and thoroughly pleased if they travel by the Beaver line. Our
journey from Iceland to Quebec has occupied a little over eight days."
THE
ICELANDERS GO WEST
The
transportation of the 525 Icelandic immigrants who were brought
direct from Iceland to Quebec by the steamship Lake Huron was done by
the Canadian Pacific railway. The two specials with those immigrants on
board arrived up from Quebec at St. Martin junction (near Montreal) at
about 2 a.m. on Saturday last, the usual delay for refreshments,
rearranging of trains, etc., being allowed, and a fresh start was made
about 3 a.m. The party was carefully looked after by the C.P.R.
people. A sufficiency of colonist car accommodation and extra
attendance was provided, and in fact everything was done by the
officials of the railway to render the trip as comfortable as possible
for the new-comers. It has been truly said that a good reception makes
a lasting impression. Mr. Christophersson, who was in charge of the
party, expressed himself as well pleased with the accommodation and
treatment of himself and party by the officers and men of the Lake
Huron during the voyage. They go direct to Winnipeg, thence to the
Icelandic settlement in Manitoba. They are a suitable class of
immigrants, the large majority being agriculturalists. They are
intelligent, robust and appeared to be in the enjoyment of good health
and spirits. Mr. L. A. Verrigch, the Beaver line travelling immigrant
agent, accompanied the party from Quebec to Montreal, and Mr. A.
Regimbal, of the Montreal immigration staff, was in attendance on
behalf of the Dominion Government.
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