Halfway to America: The Tragic Sinking of the William Nelson

"Halfway to America" is a historical account of 19th century immigration that accurately shares its hardships and in this case – tragedies. Poor emigrants who sailed to America in the 1860s usually made the trip in the steerage deck – where the conditions were quite unpleasant for a month-long voyage. This historical book shares the story of Heinrich Dirkes and his son Johannes. While traveling from Antwerp, Netherlands, to New York in 1865, the ship William Nelson caught fire when buckets of hot tar spilled. Tragic and horrifying, this undoubtedly will remain a devastation throughout history. This book highlights the details of the shipwreck and elaborates on its social and political ripple effects throughout history.
Nearly all of the emigrants were poor, and were making the trip for a better life in America. Also on board were 30 crew members including the captain, plus about 30 passengers traveling in cabin rooms that cost much more than steerage. Once the American Consulate in Havre, France learned of the tragedy, it quickly set about limiting the liability of the ship owner and the captain. The Swiss government in particular was outraged at the lack of accountability in the US because only 16 of its citizens survived from the 176 on board.
Embark on a journey into American history and learn the tragic details of the burning of the ship William Nelson. This is a must-read for historians, educators, and those who are looking to learn more about American history and their ancestry.