Charles Steinmetz, at that time, could not speak a word of English and the days on board ship were chiefly devoted to learning English, although one can easily understand that the crowded, uncomfortable quarters of the steerage would make such a task difficult. When at last the ship reached New York something happened which nearly resulted in Charles Steinmetz’ being deported back to Switzerland. The ship arrived on a Saturday night and passengers had to wait till Monday before being examined. Charles slept near an open porthole and caught a severe cold which caused his face to swell. When he appeared before the authorities for examination on Monday morning he was indeed a sorry-looking spectacle. He was dwarfed and misshapen in body; his eyesight was very defective, his face terribly swollen, and his clothes decidedly shabby. Furthermore he could scarcely speak a word of English. Had it not been for the earnest entreaties of Oscar Asmussen he would most surely have been refused admission to America. He was admitted, however, for in those days the government authorities were not as strict as they are now. Charles Steinmetz certainly did not look a very promising immigrant and during his first few weeks he met with much that would have discouraged a less determined man. He had letters of introduction to two electrical engineers in America. The first man read his letter and turned him down flat. “There is a perfect epidemic of foreign electrical engineers; we cannot do a thing for you,” he said. The other man to whom Charles Steinmetz went, read the letter and promised to send for him in a few days. He did not send, and Charles who was penniless, went to see him at the end of a week and found that the man had forgotten all about him. However, when reminded of his promise, he gave Charles a position at twelve dollars a week. It was not the kind of work that he wanted but he was glad to get a footing of any kind and he worked hard at it. One day his employer stained his hands with dye; his chemists were not able to remove the stains, and he was agitated and annoyed. Charles Steinmetz suggested an acid solution which was tried, and instantly removed the stains. As a reward for this he was set to work in the laboratory of the factory, at tasks more suited to his liking and which gave him a chance to show his skill.