SS Weimar health inspection cards

Maria (Ratzlaff) Penner was a child on the trip aboard the SS Weimar across the Atlantic.  She remembered many people being sea-sick on the ship.  Susanna Ratzlaff became ill too, and it fell to Maria to watch after the younger children.  Baby Susanna, not even a year old yet, had to be weaned from mother’s milk but managed to survive.

Karoline wandered hand in hand with Andreas as they explored the ship.  Maria remembered a tall chimney at one end of the SS Weimar.  She intended to climb the chimney in the event that the ship would begin to sink.  An announcer periodically made announcements over a loudspeaker, perhaps in German, to keep the passengers apprised of their progress.  As the ship passed through the English Channel, the announcement was made that the British Isles could be seen.  When an iceberg appeared in the north, the announcement was made that it could be seen off the right side of the ship.

The ship’s medical staff examined the passengers daily for illness.  Andreas and Susanna’s daily examination cards were punched every day when they passed the inspection.  The cards indicate that they were both vaccinated in Bremen, Germany, before the ocean voyage began and passengers were to keep the cards to avoid quarantine upon arrival in America.  Andreas and Susanna both received 14 punches; one for each day aboard the ship.

Andreas' inspection card, front and back:

Susanna's inspection card, front and back: