This led to the passing of the first German law for the protection of emigrants on October 1, 1832. According to this regulation, shipping lines were obliged to present on demand documentary proof of the seaworthiness of their vessels. They were also forced to keep passenger lists as well as ensure that enough provisions were taken on board for 90 days. The crossing normally took between 60 and 70 days.
Adherence to this law was monitored initially by the "Inspectors of Shipping Agents" and later by the authority for emigration matters (Behörde für das Auswanderungswesen) set up in 1854. The law was reviewed several times and it also stipulated how much space there had to be on board per passenger, and also how big the berths had to be. It also forbade the placing of more than two tiers of berths on top of each other. Another provision of the ordinance was that businessmen were allowed to transport passengers only if they enjoyed "commercial freedom" as described in Bremen civic law and if they laid down a deposit of 5,000 talers.
Refercence:
Armgart, Arno. Bremen, Bremerhaven, New York : Geschichte der europäischen Auswanderung über die Bremischen Häfen = A history of European emigration through the ports of Bremen. Bremen 1991
Picture: Archive DSM