Between 1842 and 1852, there was a famine - the Great Famine - that saw the population of Ireland drop by two million people. One million starved to death and one million emigrated to the US and Canada. The population of Ireland dropped by 25% and during this time the population of New York was 25% Irish.
The ships the immigrants took were called "coffin ships" because so many sunk in the Atlantic storms. Also there was disease on board and when the ships landedm the Customs Official put the sick into quarantine where many died.
The one ship that differed from the others was the Jenny Johnston , a replica of which is pictured above. Not a single person died on the 17 crossings. In fact, there was a birth . The ship sunk off Montreal when the famine was over and it returned to hauling lumber. Even then, the entire crew was rescued.
The key to the ship's success seemed to be an excellent captain and an experienced ship's doctor who insisted on total cleanliness and as much exposure to fresh air as possible.
There was little room for all the people who sailed and large families had to share one bunk. The least number of passengers was 190 and the most was 250.
The replica is an actual sea-going training ship today. It has a legal capacity of 40 passengers.
Imagine weeks on sea keeping body and soul together.
Signs don't lie.
There are statues about 500 feet from the Jenny Johnston depicting the famine victims. I heard the statues described as "disturbing". I could not get the images out of my mind for days.
What is it like to have no hope?
The Jenny Johnston provided hope for some.
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