Most of the immigrants who came to America through Ellis Island were from eastern and southern Europe. They came to escape the poverty of their homelands and made a profound impact on American culture and society. During the largest human migration in modern history, Ellis Island processed more immigrants than all other North American ports combined. The great steamship companies like the White Star, Red Star, Cunard, and Hamburg-America Lines played a significant role in the history of Ellis Island and immigration as a whole. First and second-class passengers arriving in New York Harbor were not required to undergo the inspection process at Ellis Island. Instead, these passengers received a cursory inspection aboard the ship. However, regardless of class, sick passengers or those with legal problems were sent to Ellis Island for further inspection. This scenario was far different for third-class passengers, commonly referred to as “steerage.” These immigrants traveled in crowded and often unsanitary conditions near the bottom of steamships, often spending up to two weeks seasick in their bunks during rough Atlantic Ocean crossings. After the steamship docked in the Harbor (typically along the west coast of Manhattan), steerage passengers would board a ferry to Ellis Island for their detailed inspection.