Emma Putty’s adventure on the Santa Maria

As told to Erin Warth

Why I was on the ship:

• My father was a painter on board ship. My mother was so interested in this trip my parents thought it would be a new beginning for me. At first I was excited until I realized it would be a long journey to freedom and new land. I know it was hard for my father during this journey. He had to do a lot of work with almost half the men having criminal backgrounds. Even though it was a long journey it was worth the wait.

What it was like on the Santa Maria:

• We would get fed twice a day. We would never hear anything about the progress unless father overheard the captain. During the day Mother and I would play hand games, make the beds, talk, and cleaned. It doesn’t sound like much but, it got us through the day. When we arrived in what is now North America, I couldn’t wait to stand on land. I was so happy for me and my family to start a new beginning.