The Landing of Elendil

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

The Númenoreans had really big ships.

...a vision came to [Aldarion] of a mighty vessel like a castle with tall masts and great sails like clouds, bearing men and stores enough for a town.

(UT II 2)

And since the Númenorean exiles were concentrated in cities/towns - e.g. Fornost, Annúminas, Osgiliath, etc. -, the nine ships would have sufficed.


Aside from Pelargir, there are also Númenoreans in what would become Arnor.

...thence many [of the Faithful] set sail to Middle-earth seeking the northern coasts where they might speak still with the Eldar in the kingdom of Gil-galad. This was known to the kings, but they hindered it not, so long as the Elendili departed from their lands as and did not return...

(Akallabêth)

So not only Gondor had pre-Fall Númenorean populations, but Arnor also. Alas, they arrived later, so they had less time to multiply before the War of the Last Alliance.

[Osse]

Thank you Nilpaurion!

I regret not researching deeper, delving into the innards of the texts, but I had the idea in my mind already... i guess I was just ready to doubt.


Thank you all, for contributing to this thread!