Pfaffenweiler, Germany, December 1846: in pouring rain, Hundreds leave their homes. A year of devastating natural catastrophes is behind them, very bad harvests and famine. In front of them is the promised land: America. But the journey is far. Fisherman from the Rhine River take them to the next stage of their long journey to the new world. The government of Baden is sponsoring the emigration. It sees in it, the removal of the poor and unsatisfied people.