The sailors led Alannah to the bridge where she was introduced to the ship's Captain, a retired Naval Officer from Ireland, by the name of Jack O'Malley. Alannah was a little anxious to be on this ship, she was worried that Captain Jack might know her father and place a call to him, but he did not seem to recognize her, which for once Alannah was grateful. Jack looked at Alannah and her carpetbag with amusement, Alannah once tidy appearance was now bedraggled from her mad dash and final leap onto the ship.
"Well little lady you have caused quite a stir on board my vessel. I take it that you couldn't make the ship on time, 'eh? I hope you weren't planning on taking this ship all the way to America. We are not large enough, nor sturdy enough to make a trans-Atlantic journey. We will be heading for our larger port in Amsterdam, where we are to meet up with the SS Europa. I hope that you have the money to pay for your voyage," he told her. "Otherwise you will find yourself working amongst my crew."
"Based on the information I was given on your departure time, I thought that I had more time than I did that's all. I have already purchased my ticket sir, but for the short journey from here to Amsterdam, I would like to be useful." Alannah told him in her best English."
"What an odd request, you have paid for your voyage yet you still want to work? May I see your ticket?"
Alannah pulled out her first class ticket that she had purchased during her mad dash down the pier.
"But of course, whatever you wish."' he told her. "Seeing as how this ship does not have much in the way of first class cabins. So tell me young lady, what are you running from? Or are you trying to make a name for yourself once we get to New York City?"
"NEW YORK CITY???? We are going to New York?" she asked aghast "But - I thought, well I thought that we were going to America."
Her reaction brought laughter from everyone in the wheelhouse including Jack, to which he roughly replied after clearing his throat, "Aye, lass you're final destination is America. New York City is in America," Jack said in the same harshness to his tone that he had but moments before. "I take it you didn't exactly plan the details of this trip, what with your mad dash down the dock and the leap of faith to get on board."
"Oh, I planned it, very well thank you," Alannah said blushing, "only - well just the part where I got out of Germany. I want to work to feel useful, it's not that I don't have the money. I was given information that I could take your vessel to the Bahamas."