Exiting the ships, new arrivals would enter the huge baggage room through these huge doors to deposit their precious possessions before climbing the stairs to the huge Registry Room. Unknown to them, officials stood along the stairwell watching the hoeful immigrants closely, looking for signs of feebleness, shortness of breath, difficulty climbing stairs unassisted and many other physical signs that could ultimately result in deportation. By the time they reached the top, their clothing would be marked by a series of chalkmarks which gave advance information as to their apparent health (even though it would generally be questionable after 10 days to a month at sea in horrible conditions.)