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Famine began in 1845 when acre upon acre of Irish farmland ended in black rot. In the next seven years over 1 million Irish would immigrate to the United States. Wave after wave of them came in what came to be called "coffin ships".

"Already weak from hunger, these unfortunate souls were packed into overcrowded, squalid ships for the voyage across the Atlantic. The close quarters, unsanitary conditions, poor food, and weakened state of the emigrants created the ideal conditions for the propagation of typhus, and an infectious disease caused by fleas and lice." (Leavey, Sembhi, & Livingston, July 2004).

"The decision to leave Ireland was only the beginning of a long and difficult journey. Once aboard the ship that would bring them to America (a 2-3 month trip), and the emigrating Irish found almost intolerable conditions. The steerage compartments were about five feet high with two tiers of beds. Men, women and children (sometimes as many as 900 people) were crowded together with room only for themselves and their belongings rolled up next to them. A narrow cot was provided for each person but often it was not even wide enough to turnover. Beds and bedding were not aired out or washed until the day before arrival when an inspection was done by government officials. The only air and light available was through a hatchway, which was closed during stormy or rough weather. The air became increasingly filthy and foul as the journey progressed. Food was often insufficient and not cooked properly. Grain, hardened and served as a lump, was common. Clean water was also insufficient for the needs of the steerage passengers. Toilets were inadequate for the number of people aboard, and stench permeated the air." (Leavey, et al., July 2004).



"Sometimes these ships would arrive in port with less then half of their original passenger list. Even so, the ships represented hope, for in Ireland the Famine was so severe...