Restauration (ship) facts for kids
| History | |
|---|---|
| Launched | 1801 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Sloop |
| Tonnage | 39 tons |
| Length | 54 ft (16 m) |
| Beam | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
The Restauration was a small sailing ship called a sloop. It was built in 1801 in Hardanger, Norway. This ship became a very important symbol for Norwegian people who moved to America.
You might see the ship's name spelled in different ways, like Restoration or Restaurasjonen. Many people call it the "Norse Mayflower" because it carried some of the first organized groups of Norwegian immigrants to the United States.
Contents
A Historic Voyage to America
On July 4, 1825, the Restauration began a very important journey. It sailed from Stavanger, Norway, heading for the United States. There were 52 people on board, many of whom were Norwegian Quakers. Quakers are a religious group known for their peaceful beliefs. Some passengers might also have been part of the Haugean movement, a similar Lutheran group.
The group was led by a man named Cleng Peerson. After a three-month trip across the ocean, the Restauration arrived in New York City on October 9, 1825. This journey is described in a book called Amerika-boka (The America Book) by Ole Rynning.
A Small Problem and a Presidential Pardon
The Restauration was a small ship, only about 54 feet long. It carried more passengers than American law allowed for a ship of its size. Because of this, the ship's captain, L. O. Helland, was arrested. The ship was also in danger of being taken away, and there was a large fine.
However, the situation was solved by President John Quincy Adams. On November 15, he pardoned the captain. This meant the captain was released, the ship was freed, and the fine was canceled.
The people who made this historic voyage are often called the "Sloopers." After arriving in New York, they moved on to create their first settlement in Kendall, in Orleans County, New York.
Remembering the Restauration
The Restauration's journey is a big part of Norwegian-American history. Many events and items have honored this important ship.
Centennial Celebrations and Stamps
In 1925, exactly 100 years after the ship arrived, a special event called the Norse-American Centennial was held in Minnesota. This celebration remembered the 100th anniversary of the Restauration's arrival in New York City.
To mark this special occasion, the United States Postal Service issued two new postage stamps.
- The 2-cent stamp showed a ship that looked like the Restauration. This image was an artist's idea of what the ship probably looked like.
- The 5-cent stamp featured a Viking ship. This design came from a photograph of a replica ship called Viking. The Viking had sailed from Norway to Chicago for the Columbian Exposition of 1893. It was an exact copy of the ancient Gokstad ship, which is now displayed in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway.
Modern Tributes
In 1975, for the 150th anniversary of the Restauration's arrival, Cleng Peerson was featured on a Norwegian postage stamp. The date for Leif Erikson Day in the United States, October 9, was chosen to match the day the Restauration arrived in New York Harbor.
A new replica of the Restauration was built in Norway. It was launched in 2010 from a small shipyard at Finnøy in Ryfylke. Today, this replica ship is used for educational trips and special tours in Rogaland, Norway.
