Ellis
Island
While still aboard the ship, first and second-class passengers were asked questions about their reasons for coming to America. They were also given a short exam. Those passengers were able to get off the ship at a dock in Manhattan without stopping at the Ellis Island Immigration Center. The entry to America for third-class passengers was much different. It was difficult and scary for them to enter America through the Ellis Island Immigration Center. Many could not speak English which made the time on the island harder for them.
While still aboard the ship, first and second-class passengers were asked questions about their reasons for coming to America. They were also given a short exam. Those passengers were able to get off the ship at a dock in Manhattan without stopping at the Ellis Island Immigration Center. The entry to America for third-class passengers was much different. It was difficult and scary for them to enter America through the Ellis Island Immigration Center. Many could not speak English which made the time on the island harder for them.
The large ships that crossed the Atlantic were too big to dock at Ellis Island. So ferryboats, small boats or barges carried the third-class passengers to Ellis Island. Sometimes they would have to wait days before getting on the small ships to take them to the island.