This short and rather vague notice dated Stavanger 7th of July 1825 was printed in Den Norske Rigstidende, and marks the beginning of organised emigration from Norway to America. The 'five farmer families' were in reality a group of 52 people including the crew. The 'ship purchased for the purpose', was the sloop Restauration with a capacity of 18,5 commerselester (an old, disused measurement 18,5 CL equals ca. 38 reg.tons). This remarkable voyage has placed Restauration in the annals of history as one of Norway's most renown vessels.

Commemorative medal, Sesquicentennial. Privately owned.

The saga of Restauration began in Hardanger about 24 years earlier when shipowner Theophilus Bowitz of Egersund ordered a 'jakt' in 1802. The contract of purchase was dated May 24th, 1802. The vessel was named Emanuel and measured as a 'jakt' its load carrying capacity was calculated to be 6 commerselester. In 1806 ownership was transferred to Theophilus' son Torger Reiersen Bowitz.

From 1803 to 1815 Emanuel traversed Norwegian coastal waters between Bergen and Halden, which at that time was called Frederichshald. Sometimes she called at the ports of Strømstad, Gothenburg and Copenhagen. Every spring the first passage from Egersund was to Bergen, often in ballast. The cargo loaded on board there was salted herring and other fish products for the markets in east Norway. On the return journey to Egersund she carried various foods and general cargo such as: salt, grain, hops, alcohol, roofing slate, tile stoves as well as other goods.

In 1816 Emanuel completed only a few short trips after which she is no longer mentioned. According to tradition she ran aground while entering the harbour at Egersund and was damaged. At this time Torger Reiersen Bowitz took over his fathers ship 'Haabet' and it is this vessel that is mentioned as making voyages until 1820. In the meantime Emanuel was repaired and enlarged and when restored became known as the 'sloop Restauration'. Measured as a sloop she was now calculated to be 18,5 commerselester by the customs officer at Egersund. She took up the same trade route that Emanuel had before being damaged. But now she went further afield to such ports as Hamburg and Stockholm.

Torger Reiersen began to experience hard times economically, and during the winter of 1825 Restauration was bought by emigrants in Stavanger. Johannes Jacobsen Stene is registered as the owner, however there were also some co-owners, six families are mentioned. In early May, Captain Peder Eriksen Meland of Egersund sailed Restauration to Stavanger. During the next hectic months the vessel was prepared for the voyage across the Atlantic. There is some uncertainty regarding the date of departure, however the migrants claimed that Restauration left the harbour on July 4th .

Lars Olsen Helland was captain and Peder Eriksen Meland mate. The long voyage to America had begun. It was an adventurous journey that has been talked about and the story retold countless times. Here is a short version: After crossing the North Sea Restauration made a short call at a little harbour near Lizard Point at the southernmost tip of England. The plan was to make use of the easterly trade-winds further south. About four weeks later Restauration called at the port of Funchal on Madeira where she lay for several days. Here they replenished their supplies. When off the West Indian Islands the ship encountered strong storms 'on four consecutive Fridays'. Then wandered about the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico before sailing North.

Finally on the morning of October 9th the Restauration sailed into the port of New York. The ship had been at sea for 98 days.But their problems were not over. For a vessel of her size the Restauration had far more passengers on board than were allowed by American law. This resulted in a severe fine, confiscation of the ship and the arrest of the captain. The situation was solved in the best possible manner when President John Quincy Adams himself on the 15th of November pardoned the captain, released him and the ship and rescinded the fine. Restauration was then sold and what became of her is unknown.

Gunleif Seldal