The statue remained intact in Paris until sufficient progress had been made on the pedestal in New York. By January 1885, the French had sufficient assurance, so the statue was disassembled and crated for its ocean voyage. Six months later, on June 17, 1885, the French steamer Isere, which had carried the statue across the ocean, arrived in the New York port. Historians note nearly two hundred thousand people lined the docks and hundreds of boats were put to sea to welcome the Isere.
This photo shows the scene in the harbor as the Isere arrived in port.
With confidence that the pedestal would ultimately be completed, workers began uncrating pieces of the Statue of Liberty on what was renamed Liberty Island. This late 1885 photo shows the two feet and crest of the torch just below the base of the pedestal.
The Amazing Evolution of the Statue of Liberty (12 Photos)