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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: yn9man on Wednesday 24 October 18 16:43 BST (UK)

Title: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: yn9man on Wednesday 24 October 18 16:43 BST (UK)
Looking for information about "coffin ships". I believe this was the nickname for those ships that left Scotland in the mid to late 19Th Century and set sail for America. Did the trip across the Atlantic actually take up to four months or more? Are there separate records kept for these ships / vessels? or were all ships departing Scotland considered "coffin ships" due to disease, number of passengers,  accommodations, etc?. I have only seen vague references to these ships. 

Any assistance will greatly appreciated.

yn9man   
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: isobelw on Wednesday 24 October 18 17:47 BST (UK)
The term ‘coffin ship’ is more usually heard in relation to ships that carried Irish emigrants to America at the time of the potato famine. According to one article on Google it could take up to six weeks to cross the Atlantic. Conditions were usually very basic on board and mortality rates high ( hence them being dubbed ‘coffin ships’).
Isobel
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: eilthireach on Wednesday 24 October 18 18:22 BST (UK)
You should read the works of <a href="https://www.scotstocanada.com/about-us/">Lucille Campey</a>, especially her Fast sailing and copper-bottomed: Aberdeen sailing ships and the emigrant Scots they carried to Canada, 1774-1855.  (2002).
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: *Sandra* on Wednesday 24 October 18 18:26 BST (UK)


http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/coffin.htm

Sandra
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: Skoosh on Wednesday 24 October 18 22:04 BST (UK)
yn9man,  try "The Amateur Emigrant!" by R.L.Stevenson, the tale of his crossing from the Clyde to New York aboard an emigrant ship, you can read this online, fascinating stuff!

Skoosh.
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 24 October 18 23:13 BST (UK)
Quote from: *Sandra* on Wednesday 24 October 18 18:26 BST (UK)


http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/coffin.htm

Sandra

Interesting link Sandra...thanks for posting. I have Irish family who went to America at the time of the Potato Famine.

Carol
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: dbree on Thursday 25 October 18 00:47 BST (UK)
Quote from: *Sandra* on Wednesday 24 October 18 18:26 BST (UK)


http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/coffin.htm

Sandra

Thanks Sandra from me too. :) Very powerful and a very moving link.

DB
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: yn9man on Wednesday 05 December 18 18:25 GMT (UK)
Eilthireach and Skoosh -

Thanks for the names of the books on Scottish immigration. They both sound like books that will definitely assist me in my search for my Scottish roots.

I have requested both through my library.

yn9man 
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: Skoosh on Wednesday 05 December 18 22:07 GMT (UK)
"An Amateur Emigrant!" can be read online!  ;D

Skoosh.
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: hanes teulu on Thursday 06 December 18 11:32 GMT (UK)
The term "coffin ship" was originally given to the Royal Navy's "10 gun brig", ten of which sank between 1820-1840 with almost total loss of life.
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: yn9man on Sunday 09 December 18 22:28 GMT (UK)
Skoosh -

Thanks for the tip. Will attempt to find. Appreciate your time in responding to my messages.

 :D

yn9man
Title: Re: "Coffin Ships"
Post by: Skoosh on Monday 10 December 18 11:27 GMT (UK)
Nae bother!  ;D

Skoosh.