DIARY OF JAN C. BOEKEMA
9 June - 21 June 1954
What follows is a translation of what my Dad wrote during our emigration trip from Holland to Canada. Dad had his own peculiar style and I tried to stick to it as much as possible.
The diary was written in a small booklet of 10 x 16.5 cm. and had 41 pages.
The Waterman was built in 1945 by Oregon SB. Portland, was then known as LA GRANDE VICTORY and was meant as freightship for the American army. Became property of the Netherlands in 1947 and was owned by the "Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Lloyd" from 1947 until 1961 under the name as the WATERMAN. First used for transportation of troops between Holland and Indonesia, then transformed into an emigrationship like the GROOTE BEER and the ZUIDERKRUIS. Was owned from 1961 until 1963 by "NV Scheepvaart Mij Trans Oceaan" of the Hague and owned, under the name of MARGARITA, in 1963 by Latis John S. Griekenland. Sold as scrap to Japan in 1970.
From 29 May until 6 June 1952, my sister Juul with husband and child, were also passengers on the Waterman when they emigrated to Canada. The paperclipping mentions also the family of Roel de Boer and Betsje Nauta with kids.
The belongings we took with us to Canada were shipped away a week later on the ZUIDERKRUIS!
1954
Diary June 9 departureIrnsum
This morning, 5 o'clock, left Irnsum. (Uncle Gelf Niemarkt drove us with his delivery truck to the railwaystation Grouw-Irnsum.) Good weather. Left Grouw at 20 to 6, waited at Zwolle for derailed locomotive. Transfer in Amersfoort. Well we dragging our suitcases, then the train completely filled. But we managed to get in. Jantje got a seat from a friendly gentleman, we were standing until Rotterdam. Well next in Rotterdam leaving the train and in the tramway a little bit further again, then yet another distance with the citybus. Next we had to walk, with our suitcases, well that was a beautiful procession, then again walking for a while, then again resting. Well we had still a few kilometers to go when a small automobile stopped, and they asked: do you have to go the Waterman. Well, yes of course. Well dump in your suitcases. And let it happen that it was a Frisian, from Franeker, who lived already for more than 40 years here. Well then you are very soon at home again. Well next with our luggage to the Customs. Well that went easy I tell you. He fixed us intensely and we have surely trustworthy faces because we could immediately bring our luggage to our cabin. Well next I had to receive quite a lot of papers, but everything got fixed. So at 20 to twelf we were on board. Well a beautiful board I tell you. We could not see enough so beautiful it was. We have a beautiful cabin, three times two beds on top of each other. So each one has his own bed. Well Jantje has tried to get on top of the upper bed, but I think she will remain with the lower one. Beautiful wardrobes and nice bed, well quite a difference with the last days in our house. (A company took care of our belongings a few days before we left Irnsum.) Well, at 12 o'clock went the whistle. We could go and eat something if we had appetite, were we told. Well, we together took off. Well, that was "little table, load thee" (Dutch saying in connection with a fairy tale.) First we got a bowl of tomato soup, then a cesar salad as much as we liked, then yet bread with thick meat, an egg, coffee and finally a very big orange. Well we first thought we had no appetite, but we ate it was awful. The Chaplain sat with us at table, and he said eat guys then you will never get seasick. After the meal again outdoors. There came already more passengers on board and so after 4 o'clock the final whistle went. Two big towingboats started to tow as hard they could to get our boat in the open water. And yes finally they shouted he is free. The people on the pier waved us a final farewell, a few boats accompanied us yet for a while. And so about 6 o'clock we were for the first time at sea. Well it was nice weather, so the sea was calm. Here and then we met yet a lonely fishngboat, otherwise nothing else to see than water and still more water. About half past ten Dutch time we went to bed. But our time was backed up for an hour. So it was half past nine. Well the boat began already to go up and down a little bit more, but we all slept in soon until midnight. Then we got all awake, because it had become real spooky. People went on and on to the W.C. Well we were still all fine, except Jantje had to vomit a few times. But the others remained reasonably healthy. Quick, we all took a pill, and then we fell asleep again.
Thursday July 10(June!)
At six o'clock this morning our alarmclock went off, because at 6:30 there was a Mass and Cor had to be a servant there. The Chaplain had asked for it the day before. Well I and Cor first out of bed and washed ourselves, then Antoon and Johan out of bed, but the other two did not feel themselves fine. I and Cor went to the chapel where the Holy Mass would be offered. We were altogether 6 people, 5 men and 1 woman. Most of the people were still seasick. It got also to our Padre. He told us later that he almost could not do the Mass. Well after the Mas we went all quickly upstairs, because fresh air is better than to remain in your cabin. The sea was still very rough and there were still high waves. Eight o'clock breakfast. Well that was again first class. We ate as much as we could and then again upstairs. Jantje was in the beginning now and then still not fine but she kept the food inside. The sky was cloudy and it was rather cold, so we all put our oats on. Half past ten we had to present ourselves altogether, all the passengers, with our lifesavers each next to his own lifeboat. Beautiful picture I tell you with those huge things around our neck, but in case of necessity you could float on it even if you didn't know how to swim. The sun came through and we all sit now to nap a bit until one o'clock. Then we had to eat again. We all ate well. Yes Jantje also. Then again to the upperdeck. The sun is still nicely shining, but the wind makes it cold. Most people took their blankets out of their cabins and wrapped them around themselves. Twenty to two everybody shouted the oast is in sight. That is the coast of England. Beautiful picture I tell you. We sailed about 3 miles away from the coast. You have to see it for yourself, impossible to describe it, so beautiful a sight. Fairly half past three we don't see nothgin else than water again. Now and then different ships which almost completely vanish in the waves. Well then it is better on the Waterman. Allthough sometimes when walking you hit then this then that, but well you are getting used to that and then you keep pace with it. Just like drunken people, imagine, then walk, then stand still, then run forward very fast. They say that this evening around 6 o'clock we will pass the extreme point of England. We will then be on the great Ocean and the sea becames calmer they say. We sailed now about almost 24 hours, with an average speed of 30 KM. per hour. So the Netherlands are now almost 720 KM behind us. You can hardly belief it yourself. There are not many Emigrants, only 284 they say, while there is place for 800. Well we have place enough I tell you. We all together got f 45 Dutch money here on board to buy something, although you can eat as much as you want. I bought today my first cigarettes on board, 20 for 40 ct. American "virgini", Some are yet cheaper. That is quite a difference with the Netherlands. On these are no taxes any more. The boys are together to the movies. Costs nothing. I and J sit together on deck and look over the sea. Actually it just happens that we see a fishingboat. Well "see", now and then the waves are still very high, so sometimes it vanishes completely in the waves, you would think it will not appear again, but yes there is it again, and so goes it on and on. We just manage to see still the lighthouses of England shining. Aboard it is a quarter to ten, in the Netherlands a quarter to 11. We go now to our cabins. The boys are back again. Beautiful film. Well goodnight to everybody.
Friday July 11(June!)
Goodmorning everybody in Netherland. It is 6 o'clock and the alarmclock went off again. Well we all slept mighty well. Now first everyone washes himself and then together to the Mass. There were much more people at church than yesterday. The ship does not pitch so badly neither as yesterday. The sea became much calmer. I believe that today we will have a nice day and that it will be warmer. The sky is still cloudy but it is probably seamist. When the sun gets higher they will for sure disappear. The Bell sounds, so we first go and eat. Well, here I am again.We all ate with appetite. I just had a shave. And when I came on deck, the sun was already shining and the sky clears up. They all enjoy laying in the sun. I took my coat off while I am sitting here and write. So, I am sitting here on deck with my shirt on, while it is now just half past nine on time aboard. You can notice from the sun that we are far more out west. It stays now much higher as when in the Netherlands we have the longest day. That is why it is much warmer.This night we had to back up our watches again tree quarters of an hour. So it is now in the Netherlands twenty past eleven and here aboard thirty five minutes to ten. This evening they will tell again how much the clock has to be retarded. It is now again evening, 9 o'clock on our time, and on Dutch time it is now already half past eleven, because the clock had to be retarded again three quarters of an hour. We have been sporting the whole afternoon, tennis, throwing balls, Dutch shuffelboard,you can do everything here on deck. The sky is now cloudy again and we have our coats on again and a blanket around us. The sea goes up and down quite a bit, because we have the wind from aside, and the boat pitches nicely here and thro. You need to take a fast grip, otherwise you stumble against everything. But we are all very healthy again. Well, then you laugh about it. Well it is now half past nine and we join our cabin again. Good night until tomorrow everybody.
Saturday June 12
So, there we are again. We all spent a good night. This morning together to church and everyone (afterwards!)ate with apetite. Well, the weather looks again very good. Not much wind, the sun shines already nicely, so we are all again up on the deck, and all the boys are again busy with playing pingpong.Yes, I and J have been doing it also. Thus then you know that Jantje is also again okay. We all are more suntanned than we were in the Netherlands. Throughout the day always in the sun and then the water, that we begin to look like negroes, you must think. This morning everybody shouted suddenly: sharks guys. Well, we all together also to the side of the boat to look out and yes, quite a bunch, beautiful sight, now and then they came out of the waves, with their huge backs, monsters of animals, shiny as eals and backs as a big bull. We are now so far that in these surroundings are many big fishes. Otherwise there are not so many things to see. Yesterday we met though de biggest boat of the World, the Queen Elizabeth. Then is our boat yet a small one I tell you. But for the rest nothing more than water and still more water. It is now 9 o'clock our time. We sit on the side of the ship in easy chairs. The sea is now completely without a movement. The sun shines now in the water. Then is everything again shining red and the next moment there are again other colours. Many people are watching it. And it can last so for hours, they say. It is a beautiful spectacle. It looks as if in the far distance it is all land, then red and then with a yellow colour, and behind it huge forests, of course it is not so but it looks like. The sky however is not so nice anymore and if you were in the Netherlands you would say that tomorrow we will not get nice weather. But we have to wait and see. Until now did we have excellent weather and we have made the greatest half. The boat sails still as an average more than 30 K"M" they say. Today it made 40 K.M. told one of the officers.And if it continues like this then we will be in Halifax on Wednesday. That is a day shorter. The meals are here excellent. We had it never like that in the Netherlands. For the fun I will wrote down what we had today. It is like that every day, and as much meat as you like.
Breakfast Dinner
Havermouthporridge Peasoup
White and Brown bread Breaded porkchops
Butter and Smoked meat Spinach
Cheese and Jam Boiled potatoes (still good ones)
and Radish Chocolate pudding with
Coffee and tea Meringue and whipcream
Supper
Baked plaice
Salad, cucumbers, tomatoes
Baked potatoes
White and Brown bread
Butter, Cheese, Jam
Coffee and tea and "opsnit" and Fruit.
Well goodnight and until Sunday.
Sunday June 13
Yes it is sunday, but as fine as it was yesterday as bad it is now. This morning when we woke up the sky was totally dark. Very soon huge waves showed up. We had the Mass at half past seven, but our Padre got again very badly seasickness and had already vomited three times. In our family there were again three who did not feel well. Cor and Frans suffered most from it. We went all to the Mass still and received Communion. But our Padre had it very bad to endure, had to sit down now and then, then the crucifix tumbled over, then the missal fell again, quite another story than when you have a Mass on solid ground. But well we need to go through a lot of different experiences, isn't. Well after church breakfast, but half of the people were almost all seasick again. Our Cor got it also bad and Frans also, but quick a pill and then in the fresh air, that is the best. One has to pull himself over it, that is the best, even if you feel yourself so miserable try always to stay on your legs and eat and eat yet more. Our Frans lays in bed and he sleeps as a groundhog, and the other ate still very well at noon. The sea becomes a little bit calmer, only it is very misty, now and then it rains, but it might very well happen that when we are again a hundred KM. further that then the sun shines again, and that would do some good to us all. It is now exactly a quarter to 7 and I and Jantje are sitting here on the leeside of the boat with scarfs on and the thickest coats, and you are still not sweating I tell you. Well go first to lit once again a cigarette and we will see if this evening we will experience yet something in particular. Well, a few schools of Dolphins came out of the water but nothing else showed up. We all went early to bed. It is awfully cold on deck. That goodnight everybody. Until Tomorrow.
Monday June 14
This morning we went all to the Mass, but nobody of us felt very well. Janje, Cor and Frans went immediately upstairs, because they all felt miserable, and then is the fresh air still good for you. I and Johan and Antoon have eaten our breakfast in the diningroom very well. But the other did not want to go there. Well, it blowed rather strongly this night, and yea then do you have soon waves as high as houses at home, well then sways the little boat as if it was a little rowingboat. When you see such a ship next to the pier you would think, such a huge ship, impossible that it ever will sway, don't you think. But when it is on the big sea then it is abandonned to nature itself. Then you know really how small and helpless a human being is. It is almost still colder as yesterday. You have to imagine the weather as when it can be at home in February: a strong wind from the North, heavy sky, now and then rain and heavy mist and then temperature around freezing . We have asked a "Marconist" how it comes that it here so wild and cold is. Well he told us that on one side of us lays Greenland, and there are nothing else as Icefields, and on the other side, yea that is more than 1000 KM. from us away, there is the warmth. We sail now in between. Now they could sail more to the south, there is it much warmer and nice weather. But then they would take a much longer route. And like we sail now we will be a day sooner on solid ground. And that quite an advantage for the Company. Half of the people are still seasick. Cor and Jantje lay both in bed and say they will not come out again today. Well for the moment it is not interesting, impossible to be outdoors, so cold it is. Well we go all to bed and wish you all goodnight and until Tomorrow.
Tuesday June 15
So there I am again. Myself in good health, but Mom and Cor stayed in bed, and did not go with us to church. The sea is much calmer as yesterday, only it is still terribly cold. All mist and
drizzle, so stay inside because otherwise you get cold. It is only 4 degrees above zero. We heard this morning that in the Netherlands it was 13 degrees and rain, that it is there also cold season wise. Well we will pretty soon get out of the cold. Yet a day to sail and then it is supposed to get better. In America they have a heatwave, they say. We went alltogether to the Canteen. We had personally to sign our landingpapers for Canada. So Mom and Cor had to get out of bed. And now we sit all in the saloon with a hot punch. That makes you warm again and it helps against seasickness. A minute ago I rushed with the boys upstairs. They said there are Icebergs coming. And yes avery huge one and two small ones. Well then you can imagine who cold it is. But we can say now that we have seen Icebergs. Now it has been twelve o'clock again and at one o'clock we go to eat. On Dutch time it is 1 times 1 hour 5 times 3/4 of an hour 1 times 1/2 an hour alltogether 5 hours and a quarter of an hour. In the morning at rising you have to get used to it. This night I was awake at 1 o'clock and was unable to sleep again, because on Dutch time it was already over six o'clock. With the other people it is the same. Well it is over six o'clock in the evening. The wind lies down and the sun breaks through, so we have had the worst they say. We sail now more to the south and are now going towards the warmth. Yesterday it was the coldest day we had: 2 degrees above zero. Well we go soon to bed and until tomorrow hey. Goodnight altogether.
Wednesday June 16
This morning early out of bed. It is now beautiful weather. The boat lies beautifully on the water. You can hardly imagine that it now such beautiful weather is. It is now ten minutes before 9 and we sit on deck without a coat, and it is so warm as the nicest day in the Netherlands. We are now all again in good health. I believe it is the same for most of the passengers. We are able to be in Halifax at 1 oclock, maybe even a little bit sooner. They shout: coast in sight, and yes there is the coast of Nova Scotia. There is plenty to see now. We see the first fishingboats also again. And everywhere big seagulls. Well we see Halifax. The boat is now towed into the harbour by 2 huge towingboats. We are now able to see everything very well. We see for the first time since wednesday last week houses and trees. Well it is here everywhere a splendid nature, big mountains and valleys, everywhere small houses built against it. Beautiful view. Also everywhere pinetrees in between. Beautiful weather, no wind and clear skies, nicely warm. Our boat lies now motionless in the harbour. The customs come on board, and we have first to go to them and show our papers for inspection. Well, we are ashore now. Really a nice feeling. It feels as if the ground still sways under your feet as you walk. It is 7 o'clock. We passed all the verifications and our suitcases are cleared. We remain here for the time being, as long as we do not have a farmer. Food and beverages are excellent here. Nice big dining and sleeping rooms. There was a Dutch Father who came to see us. He was here since 2 years and a half and was from the same Order as Brother Jeroen (Dad's brother Anne)whom he knew very well. He lived 180 miles from here. Well he helped us with everything. And our Cor talked mostly in our behalf. Although we understand the people already well and they us also. People are here quite different than in the Netherlands, they say, and already we experience that also. Everybody is friendly and wants to help. Well our Cor cannot stay with us for sleeping and eating. The Father took care of that also and a Father from a Jesuit convent came here and Cor can eat and sleep there. So altogether we escort him there, which gives us the opportunity to see also something from Halifax. We have to be inside at 10 o'clock. Well, until tomorrow, goodnight everybody.
Thursdaymorning June 17
So, here I am again. Have seen already quite a lot. Yesterday evening accompanied our Cor to the convent. A fair half hour walk. Well we looked everywhere. Automobiles and yet more autombiles, thousands of them. Everybody has here a Car they say, an automobile. During the whole evening we saw only 4 bicycles. Beautiful roads here, each one large, and all roads of ciment. Even the sidewalks where people walk are of ciment. But people hardly walk here. Everyone drives an automobile, because it is hill up hill down. So all the people were watching us and smiled at us. Well, we smiled too and waved to them, well they liked that here. But in the beginning we have to learn how to walk here, I tell you. Right has always right of way. Well, in the beginning we waited sometimes before crossing over. But when you come from the right and you have put a foot on the street everybody is waiting for you, and in Holland you were not used to that, isn't. There you had you to check first all directions. And then they do not drive so fast here. The automobiles do never honk neither I believe, because yesterday evening thousands of them have passed us but we never heard one honking. Besides that they do not have neither a direction indicator like in Holland.(In Holland cars had a small arm flipping out to signal their direction. Dad did not notice the signal lights!)Each one waits until he can continu right through. Even the electric busses come to a stand when we came from the right and had to cross over. Well we conducted Cor there. Quite a building. We had also to visit the building with one of the Fathers. Splendid church in it, for sure 3 times as big as the one of Irnsum. Inside everything beautiful. We went everywhere with the Father, to the kitchen and the sleepingrooms, the readingrooms, the dance floors , everytime with the lift. Next all of us to the festival. That was the same as at home, an evening for the Missions of the convent, wheel of fortune and lots for sale. Well the Father paid everything for us. He bought a nice little hat for Mom. She had to wear it, a kind of a party hat and we got goodies from the Father. A lot of people, plenty of music and all kind of dances. We had a lot of fun altogether. You can hardly recognize the clergy. They wear a simple black coat and black trousers and a white summerhat. They treat you simply as ordinary people. Over 9 o'clock we left. Well closing of stores is not known here. We had become thirsty. Together in a store where you could buy all different things. You take what you like and then you go and see the boss of the shop and he says how much it costs altogether. well you are surprised how cheap everything here is. We bought 5 bottles of Campanje Pils whick costed us 5 times 7 ct thus 35 ct, and even tastier than in Holland the boys said. Next still 10 tasty small cakes (muffins!) 3 ct each, 10 times 3: 30 ct, so we were five together and with 65 ct we had our fill on food and beverages. Bread and cookies also very cheap, a big bread 9 ct. Only shoes are in Holland cheaper than here, we noticed. Clothing also much cheaper here than in Holland. Nice fantasy socks for men 75 ct, Canadian sorts (Tshirts!) 1.50 cents. Those are beautiful painted white shirts for men. Well we, I and the boys, had to come and see the gentlemen and we were asked several questions, what we were able to do and where we preferred to go. Well, of course altogether on a farm. Well together we understood it quite well. We have now to remain on our rooms, at lest here in the building, until a farmer (Dad used the English word!) comes to get us where we can go. Now we have to wait for that. Well, the service is excellent. We have finished again our dinner. You get a lot of meat here. More meat than potatoes and a lot of fried egges. So we all will start growing pretty soon if we stay here yet still a while. This evening we went further into Halifax and did windowshopping. Clothing is plenty available, but a decent costume costs here also between 80 and 90 Dollar (Dad's word), and good shoes are here much more expensive than in Holland. Excellent shoes cost here 20 Dollar, workingshoes 10 to 12 Dollar and you have to figure that the Dollar has a value of f 4. So a pair of good workingshoes cost here f 40- So we are lucky that we all bought 2 pair of ne shoes and workingshoes and boots. If you take for instance those fantasy socks for men or ladies 3 pair 77 ct and ordinary long boyspants or short for over f 1- that is real very cheap, but real woolen clothing and good leather shoes are expensive here. Almost everywhere are houses here of wood and windows double. All very big and around the house plenty of trees, because the soil costs here almost nothing. But the houses are here not at all so nice and cosy as in Holland. Mostly dirty curtains in front of the windows, and people have seldom flowers in front of the windows. The women are here all very modern and are often out for fun. That is quite different than in Holland. People earn a lot, but they spend also a lot. Well, if we first get our own house, then we stick at home to our own customs and that is the best also here, they say. You manage then to save some money. But like they live here, then is living expensive. Well the day is finished, so we go and sleep again. Goodnight.
For the final part of this story, CLICK HERE!
For the final part of this story, CLICK HERE!