Schooner Ebenezer, L. & S. Svendsen

The schooner Ebenezer was built in 1847 at the shipyard of Jacob Kielland & Søn in Stavanger, Norway, by shipbuilder Knud Kaisen. She measured approximately 199 tons and was built for the Stavanger merchant house L. & S. Svendsen, which owned the vessel from 1847 to 1865.

Between 1848 and 1853, the Ebenezer made five recorded voyages from Stavanger to New York carrying Norwegian emigrants. All five voyages were commanded by Captain H. C. Clausen, who reportedly remained master of the schooner for approximately ten years. Although relatively small compared with many of the sailing ships engaged in the emigrant trade, the Ebenezer became known for her excellent sailing qualities and remarkably fast Atlantic crossings. Contemporary newspaper reports frequently praised both her speed and Captain Clausen's seamanship and considerate treatment of his passengers.

In 1849, a Stavanger newspaper reported that the Ebenezer was the first vessel to be copper-sheathed locally in Stavanger. The work was carried out using copper from Trondheim and was reportedly completed in only two days. The schooner was also engaged in the regular transatlantic trade. An advertisement issued by L. & S. Svendsen announced the expected arrival of the Ebenezer from America with a cargo of colonial goods and American products, including rice, hops, cotton, wheat flour, syrup, sugar, turpentine, and lignum vitae. These goods were to be offered for sale in Stavanger.

Her emigrant voyages thus formed part of a wider commercial operation, in which the schooner carried passengers westward across the Atlantic and returned with imported merchandise for the Norwegian market.

The First Emigrant Voyage – 1848

The Ebenezer made her first recorded emigrant voyage from Stavanger to New York in the spring of 1848, the year after she was built. According to Stavanger Amtstidende og Adresseavis of 2 May 1848, the schooner was lying at Dusavik, an outport near Stavanger, preparing to sail for New York with 60 emigrants. Most of the passengers came from the surrounding districts of Finnøy, Rennesøy, and Strand.

The newspaper reported that the majority were unmarried men and women. Only four families were among the emigrants, two of which had children aged six years. The notice provides an interesting illustration of how emigrant vessels could leave the main harbour but remain at an outport before beginning their Atlantic crossing. On 10 August 1848, the owners, L. & S. Svendsen, published a notice reporting that the Ebenezer, commanded by Captain Clausen, had arrived at New York on 23 June, after a voyage of 54 days.

The owners had not yet received a letter from the captain, but they had obtained information from a letter written by one of the passengers, Peder Asbjørnsen Medhus. According to Medhus, many of the passengers had suffered from seasickness during periods of stormy weather and contrary winds. In favourable weather, however, conditions aboard had generally been satisfactory. All the passengers were reported to be in good health and good spirits upon arrival in New York. After remaining in the city for a few days, the emigrants continued their journey inland. By 27 June, they had reached Albany, from where Medhus had written his letter. The voyage also made a lasting impression on some of the passengers. Several years later, Norwegian emigrants who had travelled aboard the Ebenezer in 1848 were still expressing their appreciation of Captain Clausen's kindness and assistance during the crossing.

The Stormy Voyage of 1849

In the spring of 1849, the Ebenezer again prepared to sail from Stavanger to New York. A notice dated 26 March instructed passengers to present themselves ready for boarding on 23 April. They were to undergo several days of observation quarantine before departure.

The schooner was cleared for departure from Stavanger on 26 April, but a later newspaper account stated that she sailed on 1 May with favourable winds and fine weather. According to a contemporary report, the Ebenezer carried 75 emigrants, mainly from the Stavanger region, including Rennesøy, Finnøy, and Strand. Most were young adults between 20 and 30 years of age. The voyage proved considerably more difficult than the passengers might have expected. The favourable weather continued until 10 May, when the schooner had reached approximately 18–19 degrees west longitude. The wind then shifted to the west, bringing storms that forced the crew to reduce sail considerably.

On 21 and 22 May, the vessel encountered particularly violent weather. The newspaper described the conditions as approaching hurricane force.

On 23 May, a heavy sea struck the schooner from the port bow, sweeping away the cookhouse, a boat, and nearly everything else on deck. The impact also caused other damage to the vessel. The crew subsequently adjusted the remaining sails and allowed the schooner to run before the wind and sea. The violent motion caused considerable disorder below deck, where passengers and their belongings were thrown about. Remarkably, the newspaper reported that nobody was injured. After approximately a day, when some order had been restored aboard, Captain Clausen again brought the vessel towards the wind, although the storm had not yet subsided.

On 3 June, the Ebenezer reached the Newfoundland Banks, where the weather improved and favourable winds returned for much of the remaining voyage. The newspaper particularly praised the schooner's sailing performance during the final part of the crossing. Between 10 and 11 June, she reportedly maintained a speed of approximately 11 knots over a period of 24 hours. 

According to a report published in Stavanger Amtstidende og Adresseavis on 13 July 1849, the Ebenezer reached New York on 13 June, after a voyage of 44 days. The surviving passenger list is dated 15 June, possibly reflecting the completion of arrival formalities. Despite the severe weather and damage sustained during the crossing, all the passengers were reported to have arrived in good health and spirits. On 15 June, the emigrants continued their journey inland by steamboat. According to the newspaper, the fare to Chicago was six dollars per person, including luggage. The report also emphasized the Ebenezer's speed compared with other Norwegian vessels. Captain Clausen had reached New York before several ships that had departed Norway earlier, including an emigrant vessel from Christiansand that arrived after a seven-week passage.

The Remarkably Fast Atlantic Crossing of 1850

In 1850, the Ebenezer completed what appears to have been her fastest recorded emigrant voyage. She departed Stavanger on 19 April, under Captain Clausen, and enjoyed almost uninterrupted favourable winds during the first part of the crossing. According to a detailed report published in Stavanger on 18 June, the schooner passed Fair Isle around midday on 21 April. The weather remained fine, with a favourable south-southeasterly wind. The newspaper noted that the vessel was able to carry considerable sail throughout the passage and overtook several ships travelling in the same direction.

On 4 May, those aboard observed a whale at close range. The following day, 5 May, the Ebenezer obtained soundings on the Newfoundland Banks, having crossed the greater part of the Atlantic in an exceptionally short time. While crossing the Banks, the schooner encountered thick fog, although the winds remained favourable. On the evening of 9 May, however, the weather changed. Strong westerly winds accompanied by rain delayed the remaining part of the voyage. 

The crossing was also marked by a tragic event. On the evening of 12 May, an eight-week-old child belonging to Jens Vixe died aboard the vessel. The following afternoon, the child was buried at sea in a specially prepared coffin, accompanied by prayers and the singing of hymns.

On the morning of 14 May, the Ebenezer took a pilot aboard, and with the assistance of a steam tug, reached New York that evening. The existing passenger arrival record is dated 15 May. The passage from Stavanger to New York had therefore taken approximately 25–26 days, an exceptionally fast crossing for a Norwegian emigrant sailing vessel of this period. Most of the passengers continued their journey inland on 16 May. Captain Clausen accompanied them as far as Albany, where a canal boat had been arranged for their onward journey to Buffalo. The newspaper also commented on the extensive passenger traffic along the Hudson River. One of the steamboats travelling between New York and Albany reportedly carried as many as 1,600 passengers, with three such vessels operating daily on the route. A notice issued by the owners in April 1850 indicated that they hoped to arrange another voyage to America later that year. It has not yet been established whether this additional voyage was carried out.

The Voyage of 1851 – A Passenger's Letter

The Ebenezer again departed Stavanger for New York in the spring of 1851. Among the emigrants was Zacharias Christophersen Wathne from the Lista district in southern Norway, who travelled with members of his family and relatives. In a letter dated New York, 1 June 1851, addressed to his brother Christoffer Svendson Watne at Borhaug, Zacharias described the crossing and the experiences of the passengers.

According to his account, the schooner sailed from Stavanger on Sunday, 27 April, and reached New York on Sunday, 1 June, after a voyage of five weeks. The surviving arrival record gives 2 June. The passengers enjoyed favourable winds during approximately the first two weeks. The vessel subsequently encountered storms and contrary winds for several days before conditions improved. Zacharias described how the passengers suffered varying degrees of seasickness. Some recovered within a few days, while others remained ill for much of the voyage. He also recalled an encounter with eight large icebergs near the eastern Newfoundland Banks. The passengers estimated that some might have been approximately 200 feet high, although none passed closer than about a mile from the vessel. Despite these experiences, Zacharias described the voyage as pleasant and expressed gratitude that everyone in his party had arrived safely. He was particularly complimentary about Captain Clausen, describing him as a capable seaman who was friendly, accommodating, and attentive to his passengers.

The emigrants intended to continue their journey inland on 4 June, with the next stage reportedly costing approximately four dollars per person. The letter provides a valuable first-hand account of conditions aboard the Ebenezer and the experiences of Norwegian emigrants crossing the Atlantic in the early 1850s. The English translation of the letter was made by Rev. C. Albert Wattner and was supplied to David L. Johnson in 1995 by his relative Ruth Niermeyer, née Johnson. David subsequently made the letter available to Norway Heritage, with acknowledgement to Ruth and Russell Niermeyer for their contribution to preserving this family document. The full translated letter is reproduced below.

COPY OF LETTER WRITTEN BY ZACHARIAS WATNER ( OR WATHNE) OR (WATNE) TRANSLATED FROM NORWEGIAN BY C. ALBERT WATTNER (REV.) OF Anderson Ave. Closter, N.J.:

June 1, 1851

Christoffer Svendson Watne

We came happily to New York the first of June this year. We had a pleasant trip to America. Our dear Savior was merciful and kept us from all danger and harm. We got a good breeze as we left from Stavanger, which lasted about 14 days, but then we got storm and contrary wind a couple of days, and good weather again and the wind variable so that it went fast with the trip. We were aboard 5 weeks on the trip. Sunday, April 27th we sailed from Stavanger and Sunday, June 1st, we arrived in New York. With the seasickness it went fairly well. Jan Hendrig became entirely well in a few days. With Christopher it lasted 8 - 10 days before he became entirely well. Malene did not get well until we arrived. She was sick off and on, but now is well, and all are well and active. The sail trip went off well without danger, but a very strange thing I must tell you: The time we came to the eastern Newfoundland Banks we saw 8 great Icebergs. They seemed like off the foresale boom(?). We calculated they could be about 200 feet high. That you may not believe, but we think so. Yet none of them was nearer, than one mile (Norwegian or sea mile) from us. We are living, God be praised, all well and in good health.

Wednesday, June 4, we shall in God's name continue the trip inland. The price is about 4 dollars for each person. All is well on board. Captain Clausen is a good man, he is a good sailor, friendly and accommodating. Now I have no more to write except best wishes from me and my children. With love from us to father, mother, and "søskend" (brothers and sister) and also to Grandma Borhaug, (Mobre and Moster) (Mother's brother and mother's sister).

Our Lord and Savior's grace be with us and all of you.

Gabriel and Malene wish to be remembered to Reinert and all "søskend." etc. etc.

Zacharias Christophersen Wathne

The Final Recorded Emigrant Voyage – 1853

The Ebenezer made her fifth and last recorded emigrant voyage from Stavanger to New York in 1853. She departed Stavanger on 18 April, again under the command of Captain H. C. Clausen, and arrived at New York on 29 May. The surviving passenger list contains the names of 85 emigrants. Although this was the schooner's last documented voyage carrying Norwegian emigrants, her activities during the remainder of 1853 provide a remarkable addition to her history.

A Dramatic Rescue at Sea – July 1853

On 7 July 1853, the Ebenezer, under Captain H. C. Clausen, encountered an American vessel sailing from New York to Liverpool and displaying signals of distress. Clausen immediately altered course to render assistance. As the schooner approached, it became apparent that the American vessel was on fire. Captain Clausen ordered his boats lowered and began rescuing the men aboard the burning ship. Within a few hours, the American vessel had burned down to the waterline, but its captain and crew were safely taken aboard the Norwegian schooner. To accommodate the survivors, Clausen was obliged to throw 43 barrels of tar overboard. He subsequently had to compensate the owner of the cargo for the loss, amounting to £30 15 shillings. The rescued sailors were taken safely to Liverpool. During the rescue, the Ebenezer's carpenter, Torger Pedersen, suffered a serious injury when he broke his arm. According to a contemporary account, there were concerns that he might never fully recover the use of it. The incident attracted the attention of the United States government.

In 1854, the American chargé d'affaires in Stockholm informed the Norwegian authorities that the President of the United States, acting upon the recommendation of Secretary of State William L. Marcy, had decided to recognize the courage and humanitarian actions of Captain Clausen and Torger Pedersen. Clausen was awarded a gold chronometer with a chain and 31 British sovereigns, while Pedersen received a gold watch with a chain and 200 American dollars in gold. The watches bore commemorative inscriptions recording the event. In the diplomatic correspondence accompanying the awards, the American representative expressed the President's high appreciation of the men's courage and humanity, describing their conduct as bringing honour to both their profession and their country.

The rescue took place only a few weeks after the Ebenezer had arrived in New York on 29 May 1853. It is therefore likely that the incident occurred during her return voyage across the Atlantic. The official recognition from the American government adds another dimension to Captain Clausen's reputation, which had already been established through the favourable accounts of Norwegian emigrants who had travelled aboard his vessel.

Captain Clausen's Reputation Among Emigrants

Captain H. C. Clausen appears to have earned an unusually favourable reputation among the Norwegian emigrants who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Ebenezer. An interesting testimony was written from Milwaukee in December 1851 by M. Ul. Olsen and subsequently published in a Norwegian newspaper.

Olsen recalled meeting emigrants who had arrived aboard the Ebenezer in 1848. He was struck by their unanimous praise for Captain Clausen, particularly his kindness, assistance, and concern for their welfare throughout the journey. Initially, Olsen wondered whether such enthusiastic praise might have been exaggerated. During the following three summers, however, he made a point of questioning newly arrived emigrants who had travelled with Clausen. According to Olsen, their accounts were consistently favourable. He also reported that experienced seamen and navigators who had travelled as passengers praised Clausen's professional abilities. Olsen regarded the combination of a capable and considerate captain and a particularly fast-sailing vessel as a considerable advantage for emigrants undertaking the Atlantic crossing.

His letter went beyond personal praise and openly recommended the Ebenezer to prospective emigrants from western and northern Norway. Those wishing to arrange passage were advised to contact the owners, L. & S. Svendsen of Stavanger. The testimony is particularly interesting because it suggests that Captain Clausen's reputation was not based on a single successful voyage but on consistently favourable reports from passengers over several years. The rescue of the American sailors in July 1853, and the subsequent recognition from the United States government, further illustrates the qualities for which Clausen was remembered.

Later History and Historical Significance

The Ebenezer remained under the ownership of L. & S. Svendsen until 1865, although her subsequent history has not yet been fully documented. Her five recorded emigrant voyages between 1848 and 1853 are represented by surviving passenger lists containing a total of 378 names. The departure and arrival  dates are based on contemporary newspaper reports, personal correspondence, and surviving passenger records. Differences of one or more days may reflect the distinction between clearance, departure from harbour, arrival, and the completion of official formalities.

The Ebenezer occupies an interesting place in the early history of Norwegian emigration to America. Her relatively modest size, exceptional sailing performance, and the unusually favourable reputation of Captain Clausen made her a notable vessel during a period when emigrants still depended almost entirely on sailing ships for the Atlantic crossing. The surviving newspaper reports and personal correspondence provide an unusually detailed picture of her voyages. They describe everything from violent Atlantic storms, remarkable sailing performances, and the burial of a child at sea to the everyday experiences of emigrants travelling to a new life in America. Together with the account of the dramatic rescue in 1853, these sources also preserve the history of a Norwegian shipmaster whose seamanship and concern for others received recognition on both sides of the Atlantic.

Sources:

[Stavanger Amtstidende og Adresseavis, 2. May 1848] [Stavanger Amtstidende og Adresseavis, 11. August 1848][Stavanger Amtstidende og Adresseavis, 4. April 1849][Bergens Stiftstidende, 6. May 1849][Stavanger Amtstidende og Adresseavis, 13. July 1849][Jarlsberg og Larviks Amtstidende, 26. June 1850][Stavanger Amtstidende og Adresseavis, 14. Feb. 1852][Christiania-Posten, 2. June 1854]