Transport yourself back to days of the California Gold Rush. You are an ambitious east-coaster and want to make your way out to California to seek your fortunes. Only, the railroads do not go there yet, so you would have to brave the elements and the Indians! You can try a ship, but that would entail choosing between a six month voyage around South America’s Cape Horn, or a shorter route through Panama that risks malaria and a whole host of other tropical diseases. Despite those pick-your-poison travel options, more than 40,000 people went the very first year.

On this day, February 28, in 1849, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s first ship, the SS California arrived in San Francisco, after a six-month trip from New York around South America. The California left with 60 in Saloon (first class) and 150 in Steerage (coach), although most were not going all the way to California state.

The six month trip was part of a regular route run by the California for several years, and despite the high costs and the enormously long sailing times, it had no shortage of passengers.