What ships brought Irish immigrants to America?
A coffin ship (Irish: long cónra) was any of the ships that carried Irish immigrants escaping the Great Irish Famine and Highlanders displaced by the Highland Clearances.
Where did Irish immigrants sail from?
Irish immigrants typically began their long journey from Irish ports in Dublin, Newery, Cobh (Queenstown), Limerick, Belfast, Londonderry, Galway, Waterford, Liverpool and Silgo and typically arrived in the North American ports of New York, New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Newfoundland.
How long did it take for Irish immigrants to get to America by ship?
The voyage took between 40 and 90 days, depending on the wind and weather. In steerage, ships were crowded (each passenger having about two square feet of space) and dirty (lice and rats abounded), and passengers had little food and ventilation.
What port did Irish immigrants go to board the boats?
The five major U.S. arrival ports in the 19th and 20th Centuries were: New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New Orleans. Irish passengers often used the ports of New York and Boston, but you will find Irish arrivals at other ports as well.
How did Irish immigrants travel to America?
At this time, when famine was raging in Ireland, Irish immigration to America came from two directions: by transatlantic voyage to the East Coast Ports (primarily Boston and New York) or by land or sea from Canada, then called British North America.
How many Irish died in coffin ships?
Of 98,105 passengers (of whom 60,000 were Irish), 5293 died at sea, 8072 died at Grosse Isle and Quebec, 7,000 in and above Montreal. In total, then, at least 20,365 people perished (the numbers of those that died further along in their journey from illnesses contracted on the coffin ships cannot be ascertained).
What was the journey like for Irish immigrants?
They crowded into homes, living in tiny, cramped spaces. A lack of sewage and running water made diseases spread. When the Irish families moved into neighborhoods, sometimes other families moved out. They feared that the Irish would bring disease and crime.
What were the conditions on immigrant ships?
Conditions varied from ship to ship, but steerage was normally crowded, dark, and damp. Limited sanitation and stormy seas often combined to make it dirty and foul-smelling, too. Rats, insects, and disease were common problems.
Why did Irish flee to America?
Pushed out of Ireland by religious conflicts, lack of political autonomy and dire economic conditions, these immigrants, who were often called “Scotch-Irish,” were pulled to America by the promise of land ownership and greater religious freedom. Many Scotch-Irish immigrants were educated, skilled workers.
What was the boat ride to Ellis Island like?
For first-class passengers, the journey to Ellis Island was an opulent and luxurious experience. Grand Saloons, flamboyant ballrooms and top-quality dining were available to those who could afford the £25 fare. Most of the ship’s 500 staff were assigned to cater to the cares and whims of this group.
What percent of Canada is Irish?
13.43%
As of the 2016 Canada Census, 4,627,000 Canadians, or 13.43% of the population, claim full or partial Irish ancestry.
Why did Irish emigrants travel to America?
As the size of emigrant ships grew, so it became increasingly common for Irish emigrants to travel to Liverpool, across the Irish Sea in Northwest England, to catch their boat to a new life in America. This huge port could accommodate the larger ships more easily than the small Irish harbours.
How dangerous were the Irish famine ships?
From 1845 to 1855, famine ships brought 2 million Irish emigrants to ports in Boston, New York and Canada. They were fleeing the starvation and disease caused by the potato crop failure. But the famine ships carried their own dangers. Sharks were said to follow them because so many bodies were thrown overboard.
Why did Irish immigrants die on coffin ships?
Of the 100,000 Irish that sailed to British North America in 1847, one out of five died from disease and malnutrition. Appropriately, these treacherous sailing vessels became known as “coffin ships.” Most of the ships carrying Irish immigrants to America, however, were well built and adequately supplied.
Where can I find a passenger list of Irish emigrants?
The Immigrant Ships Transcribers’ Guild has transcribed over 61,000 passenger lists on their website, with work ongoing at www.immigrantships.net By the mid-19th century, 70% of Irish emigrants entered the US through New York.