In a box across the ocean for the American dream (5 photos)

The road from Germany to the USA cost 120 marks more than a hundred years ago (cheapest ticket). The German Johann Beck could not afford such an amount. pocket, but he so wanted to be in America that he had to get out.





Beck found out that, it turns out, you can send yourself a cargo less than half the cost of the cheapest ticket. German made a special drawer with a handle inside so that it can open and close cover by yourself. Then he gave the order that it be on the right day transferred to the ship "Palatia". It happened in 1901.



Bek took with him 12 cans of condensed milk, 10 liters of water, bread, sausage, 36 chocolate bars, a box of dates and a little whiskey. 16 days he spent in his box in the ship's hold and successfully reached coveted America. He later recounted his unusual experience:

For the first two days, I slept almost all the time. One me distracted - the noise of rats. I heard them run through the load like their claws scratched the wood of the packing boxes. They ran through my box and tried to get inside, probably smelling food. I was afraid to make noise scare them away, because I didn't want any of the sailors to hear me.





The German did not think about some of the difficulties that lay in wait for him on a way. In that part of the ship where he "lived" it was much colder than he assumed. And the journey did not last 14 days, as it was stated, but 16, as the travel time has increased due to the storm. Shortly before the end travel, he realized that his reserves were running out, and the coast was not visible.

Probably on the thirteenth day I realized that I did not not a drop of water left. I was tempted to crawl out of my box and knock on the deck right above me to ask for help, but I said to himself: "No. If you knock, they will catch you and send you back to Germany. Now you are almost in America. A little patience".

I don’t want to think about how the traveler relieved himself of natural need ...



When the ship arrived in the US, weak and dehydrated, Beck climbed out of the box and began to beg the shocked sailors to give him some water. He was handed over to the doctors and Johann soon came to his senses. But him decisiveness did not melt the hearts of the immigration department - a man detained him to pay a ten-dollar fine. But news of this the original way of traveling has become very popular and the owners Hotel Neumuller & Schaeffer made a fine for Beck.

The hotel was allowed to accept Johann as a new employee. Beck shared with journalists his plans: to work and save money until it becomes possible to officially apply for citizenship. And as soon as this happy moment comes, he plans bring here your beloved, who remained in Germany (I would like to believe that in the cabin, not in the box).



Johann Beck became a one-day sensation, the media quickly forgot about him. Therefore, there is no reliable data on how the story ended. newfound Diogenes and how he arranged his life in America. I want to believe that all his plans came true, and the bride came to her creative lover.