In the early 1900s, many Puerto Ricans migrated to Brooklyn on the S.S Carolina. Most paid for their passage, but some hid on board - and of that number some made the newspapers. This was the case for 4 sixteen year old boys (three of African descent) in March of 1851. Two of the boys were found by police warming themselves at the Hamilton Avenue ferry terminal. Immigration officials said they had no role in the matter as Puerto Rico was part of the United States. The boys were expected to be sent by the City to Blackwell's Island (Roosevelt Island) for 5 or 6 months and then allowed to go where they wanted.