Who Faced Inspection and Why

First‑ and second‑class passengers often underwent brief inspections on the ship; steerage passengers were brought to Ellis Island for full review. Class didn’t erase scrutiny, but it shaped where and how it happened.

The Inspection Steps

• Medical glance with chalk marks.
• Legal interview about funds, destination, and skills.
• Outcomes: admission, temporary detention, or rare exclusions.

Decoding chalk: letters flagged suspected issues (eyes, lameness, etc.) for secondary inspection — not a final decision.