CHAPTER 6
Passenger Traffic through Drogheda Port
6 Like mountain rills brooks that grow from many out The peasant-stream flowed from Irish vales'341
statistics a rather of the of Tonnage alone paint incomplete picture progress Drogheda port as was in to during the first half of the nineteenth century, it the realm of passenger transport Britain that it its mark. No service to Britain out of increasingly made official passenger operated to the of the local in the mid-1820s. The Drogheda port prior founding Steam-packet Company were to a Great railway commissioners record decade later that 'the regular intercourse with to was on almost Post Office Britain, previous the year 1821, carried exclusively by the sailing the for its shortness and was packets, and passage by Holyhead being preferable great security, then more all the from the area to cross the frequented than rest...'.342 People Drogheda wishing Irish means to to and embark from there. Sea by this had first travel Dublin Some, however, may a conventional course direct from to Britain on have adopted less by seeking passage Drogheda one or The latter is to of the colliers other freighters leaving the port. option unlikely, however, to a The of have been taken up very significant extent, especially post-1823. conveyance passengers between Britain and Ireland was Act of Parliament in of when it was regulated by July that year enacted that of vessels of less than tons burden could take no more than captains 200 twenty unless licensed to so do the customs authorities at the in merchant passengers by port question; tons or were to a maximum of ten a vessels of 100 less restricted carrying passengers without from was time difficult and and neither licence.343 Embarking Dublin consuming, expensive was or convenient. Little then that few bothered to option particularly enticing wonder relatively make the of steam was to all that. less voyage. The growth navigation, however, change Nationally, than annum travelled to to commissioner but 30,000 per prior 1821, according railway estimates, this number were the steamer in 1836. Steam trans approximately twenty times making trip by of a sea and between rival steam portation eased the difficulties voyage significantly, competition caused a considerable of fares. With the advent of steam the packet companies lowering navigation become more were crossing had therefore less daunting and affordable. 15,600 passengers steamers on the route in at a cabin of and a deck conveyed by Drogheda-Liverpool 1836, fare 125. fare of the busiest for services outside of 25. 6d., making Drogheda port passenger steamship Dublin at of those the were labourers in that time.344 Many making voyage seasonal agricultural search of in but the of travellers into this to employment Britain, proportion falling category prior the 1840s is impossible to establish with any precision. In 1841 the census commissioners instituted measures to estimate the extent of the annual labourers to Britain for harvest work the summer and migration of Irish agricultural during early autumn. These were in circumstances. a tended to travel workers usually poor As group they light as most was done on and the shorter the sea the further their of their land journey foot voyage stocks of a stone of would take The mode of sea meagre provisions (frequently meal) them.345 to was of almost invari transport be adopted therefore paramount importance. Consequently, they
341 Lines from the poem, 'The loss of the emigrants' by John Boyle O'Reilly who hailed from the Drogheda hinter land.
342 Second report of railway commissioners, p. 90. c. 343 Act 4 Geo. IV, 88: 'An Act for regulating vessels carrying passengers between Great Britain and Ireland'. not 344 Second report of railway commissioners, p. 90, appendix B, pp 62-3; the Town ofDrogheda steamer did ply in 1836. on 345 Report from the select committee the laws relating to Irish and Scotch vagrants, p. 10, H.C. 1828 (513), iv. 240 The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 241
travelled with as the favoured in to ably by steamboat, Liverpool destination, preference undertak a and more on smaller was ing lengthier arduous voyage sailing vessels. Their enumeration confined to deck at Ireland's summer on passengers embarking ports during the of 1841, the reasonable that economic circumstances would from assumption preclude agricultural labourers for cabin accommodation. a at paying Towards this end police officer stationed each packet office sought and noted the county of origin of each purchaser of a deck ticket.The vastmajority of deck passengers bound for Britain embarked for Liverpool at either Dublin or Drogheda. Dublin held over one third of this market a slightly (thirty-four per cent), but almost quarter (twenty-four per sailed from The census commissioners that were cent) Drogheda. acknowledged their figures and did not the total number of workers 'no incon incomplete represent migrant leaving Ireland: siderable number of harvest labourers embark on board steam vessels to on which occasionally lie the coast for the convenience of in summer months'. census passengers, the The figures nonethe less a caveat provide hard comparative data for the ports themselves,346 but should be sounded their Deck as a whole could as concerning interpretation. passengers hardly be regarded seasonal workers. Some would migrant have been drovers accompanying livestock, others may have intended to settle in Britain and some even have to use as their may planned Liverpool principal was embarkation port for North America. No distinction made between these groups in the census data. The commissioners estimate did, however, that perhaps 40,000 of the 57,651 passengers could be as seasonal but this was surveyed regarded workers, largely conjectural and without serious foundation. in of these the census are empirical Nevertheless, spite shortcomings figures invaluable for establishing the relative levels of passenger business held by Ireland's ports in 1841. The numbers of deck enumerated each of Ireland's passengers leaving principal ports during the summer of are in can seen that year illustrated Figure 6.1. It be that the vast bulk of the business was conducted four and these Dublin and by just ports, of Drogheda had the lion's share.347
summer Figure 6.1: Numbers of deck passengers embarking from Irish ports during of 1841.
to census 346 Report of the Commissioners appointed take the of Ireland, for the year 1841, p. xxvi, H.C. 1843 [504], xxiv (hereafter cited as Census, 1841). 347 Census, 1841, p. xxvi. Louth and 242 County Archaeological Historical Journal
10 15 25 % female
Figure 6.2: Gender profile of deck passengers embarking from Irish ports, summer 1841.
Can further be ascertained about the of that as anything type people left Drogheda port deck in 1841? The census reveal that females were much in a passengers figures very minority among those Ireland at over leaving ports throughout this time, accounting for just thirteen per cent of the total The imbalance those from was surveyed. gender among embarking Drogheda, however, even more remarkable and deviated from the norm. significantly national The Drogheda was with no other a passenger profile quite distinctive, port having such low proportion of female were passengers. This is illustrated in Figure 6.2.318 Females few and far between among the contin in that as over cent gents leaving Drogheda port year, accounting they did for just three per of all deck This stood in contrast to passengers. stark every other major passenger port in the country, but the between the of females from and the disparity percentage sailing Drogheda proportions from the of Dundalk and Dublin is embarking neighbouring ports particularly striking. What could have been for the situation at responsible apparently incongruous Drogheda port? To answer this it is to examine the census question necessary evidence produced by the 1841 commissioners in It would that the cause in the greater depth. appear principal underlying lay socio-economic and of deck on geographical origins Drogheda's passengers. Many of those intent from the had walked distances time to town. vast sailing port already long by the they got the The of those from summer majority embarking Drogheda during the of 1841 hailed from the west of Ireland and no less than cent comprised ninety-one per of all deck passengers. The 12,573 who sailed most Connaught people from Drogheda during that period made it the port favoured from that by people province. Only 9,434 Connaught people, by contrast, left from Dublin.349 The data in the census enables even more to report specific information be drawn and reveals that the bulk of the custom for came from one of passenger Drogheda port specific region Connaught: the of almost half of all the deck county Mayo supplied passengers (i.e. 49.74 per cent) sailing from This situation to have resulted from Drogheda.350 appears target marketing by the Drogheda
348 Wexford, Waterford and Cork have been omitted from this chart because their combined passenger traffic to cent amounted only 2.5 per of the total. Thus, very little summer emigration occurred from the southern counties; Census, 1841, p. xxvi. 349 The census Census, 1841, p. 450; commissioners considered all of the 12,256 Connaught males embarking from to Drogheda be agricultural labourers, by comparison with 8,308 of those leaving Dublin. 350 Ibid., p. 450. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 243
a fare reduction in towns route from Steam-packet Company who advertised along the Connaught a season were just few weeks before the commenced.351 Seasonal emigrant workers from Mayo almost male and it was who entirely consequently they largely predetermined the gender imbalance four cent of among passengers leaving Drogheda. Indeed, only per all Mayo emigrants summer were deck from surveyed that female.352 By contrast, passengers hailing Drogheda's were few far a mere came hinterland relatively and between: 100 males and thirty-seven females from and males females Meath. In total County Louth, 276 and thirty-eight from County they accounted for 451 deck the summer of or over three cent of the only tickets during 1841, just per total sold. The hinterland community therefore provided very little passenger business for the local at time.353 shipping company that And what of the of at this the age profile Drogheda's deck passengers time? Unfortunately, census not on structure data does provide specific information the age of deck passengers from individual as information was embarking ports such only compiled for the general body of on a cent of emigrants county of origin basis. However, since ninety-two per deckers leaving from the of whom were almost Drogheda hailed Connaught, overwhelming majority male (i.e. of the for from that ninety-seven per cent), analysis data compiled emigrants province should a indication of the blend of from It that 71.64 produce good ages sailing Drogheda. emerges per cent of male were between sixteen and and were Connaught emigrants aged thirty-five years they divided between the sixteen to and to It is evenly twenty-five twenty-six thirty-five age categories.354 reasonable to that those from would have assume, therefore, embarking Drogheda broadly conformed to this pattern. During the period from 13 May to 31 August 1841 an average of 877 deckers sailed from each were men of a rural from the west of Drogheda week. Stereotypically they young disposition Ireland. in to The port, drawing this human traffic the quays, added yet another major ingredient to the town's and sense of the summer-time. The identity place, particularly during prospective in town are bound to a certain amount of business for voyagers arriving have generated local lodging and public houses while they awaited sailings for Liverpool. Equally, the imbalances in an their regional origins, ages and gender would have contributed additional and distinctive a to town ethnic flavour, albeit in transient fashion, the amalgam of social influences that gave the its character. some information been on seasonal While statistical had compiled agricultural labourers summer census to leaving Ireland during the of 1841, the commissioners failed establish the numbers after the in the autumn. A Thomas returning harvest leading commissioner, Larcom, put reason on to to from the for this record. He ascribed it the general rush disembark vessels to and that it an all returning Ireland stated made enumeration such impossible task that attempts at so were at doing forsaken.355 Consequently, neither the returned migrants landing Drogheda in the autumn nor in Britain can be of the proportion remaining quantified with any degree statisti cal if made the census commissioners over two precision. Nonetheless, the assumption by that did return in the autumn it thirds (sixty-nine per cent) actually is accepted, follows that of once considerable numbers seasonal migrant workers would again have travelled into Drogheda on their at that In homeward journeys time of year. the process they would have repeated their distinctive contribution to the of town life. fleeting dynamics and atmosphere
351 Ibid., p. xxvi. 352 Ibid., p. 451. 353 Ibid., p. 450. 354 Ibid., p. 451. on census m 355 Thomas Larcom, 'Observations the of the population of Ireland in 1841', Journal of the statistical society ofLondon, vi (1843), p. 345. 244 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
to sail from to in subse Large numbers of seasonal migrants continued Drogheda Liverpool in the two or quent years. One Drogheda newspaper claimed early August 1844 that 'during past three of Irish from and sailed weeks, upwards 10,000 labourers, principally Connaught Munster, from our to in order to seek ...' The writer also that itwas quay, England, employment maintained not the want of on Irish farms that drove labourers to but the employment agricultural England, to them in and railed Irish farmers and landlords who appalling wages paid Ireland, against 'unfortunate men the at the rate of and and some instances commonly employed by year 6d., 8d. - wet the labourer . lOd. per day and broken days being charged against ,.'.356 most For of the first two decades of the nineteenth century the annual numbers sailing directly from to were small. to Ireland destinations outside the United Kingdom quite They began pick up after the wars and somewhat of a the of Napoleonic experienced surge during typhus epidemic the late 1810s. even the of 1819 and reached no more than However, during peak years 1820 they Most sailed for North It will therefore come as no 16,798 and 22,134, respectively. America.357 was from to destinations surprise that there very little by way of direct emigration Drogheda other than Britain the to mid-nineteenth in of its to during early century, especially view proximity extent of services from there. Liverpool and the choice and transatlantic passenger available itwas often to choose a of vessels and dates of and to book Indeed, possible from range departure, to at the of in the passage from Liverpool North America offices agents based Drogheda itself.358 was inducement of a free which Emigration from other ports also facilitated by the passage, became available from time to time. In for advertisements in 1842, example, appeared Drogheda free from to New Zealand for certain newspapers offering transport Greenock, Scotland, of such as of land and their farm labourers and categories people, purchasers families, in the in this time mechanics;359 advertisements again appeared Drogheda papers 1843, offering free from to Port in and were received passage Cork Sydney and Philip Australia, applications locally by Surgeon Pentland of the Drogheda infirmary.360 From the very beginning of the 1800s vessels did, however, sail directly from Drogheda to on an In mid North American destinations, but such voyages occurred only intermittent basis. for the Acorn advertised that it was 'now at the of April 1801, example, brig locally lying quay Drogheda and will be ready to sail about the 15th of May' for 'New York or Philadelphia'.361 was not to of the essence and even a decision on the Clearly time deemed be destination appeared to in record the first be fluid. Unfortunately, major gaps the local newspaper during twenty years or so it difficult to establish the of such of the century make extremely precise frequency voyages. one is that were but A continuous run of The thing that is clear, however, they anything frequent. is extant and it is to a much better local newspapers from the early 1820s onwards thus possible get extent mode of from then on. In the impression of the of this transport mid-May 1827 Drogheda on its outbound as it sailed to to collect a of brig, Enterprise, took passengers voyage Quebec cargo timber forNorth Quay merchants, Messrs Smith and Smyth.362 Initially scheduled to depart on 10 the was for the convenience of some until the May, sailing postponed passengers following
356 Drogheda Conservative Journal, 3 August 1844. 357 An account of the total number of ships, British and foreign, which have cleared out, from the several ports of Ireland, for the British dominions, and for theUnited States inNorth America, for theCape of Good Hope, and for New South Wales; their tonnage, and thenumber ofpassengers; for the last ten years, in each year respectively, and for each country separately; distin xx. guishing convictsfrom passengers, pp 1-2, H.C. 1821 (310), 358 Drogheda Conservative Journal, 1842-3. 359 Ibid., 19 February 1842. 360 Ibid., 16 September 1843. 361 Drogheda News-Letter, 18 April 1801. 362 Drogheda Journal, 11 April, 12 May, 26 September 1827. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850
FREE EMIGRATION, TO
SYDNEY AND PORT PHILIP. " to to the above Colonies" ipERSONS wishing proceed -*- are recommended to apply to Mr, John Behn?bd, jun., or to Cork, Surgeon Pentland, Drogheda. for the October Passengers approved of, Ships, will be from conveyed Dublin Cork, free of expense, Sept. 15th, 1843,
Plate 6.1: Newspaper advertisement of free passage to Australia (Drogheda Conservative Journal, 23 September 1843).
the after the fair business was less to deadlines Tuesday, 'being day ofDrogheda'.363 Clearly, subject in on a those times and could be conducted reasonably flexible basis. The Enterprise, whose regis tered of 164 tons made it the vessel to the ferried tonnage largest sailing belonging port,364 sixty five on to the It in six emigrants this voyage 'New World'.365 completed the passage weeks.366 Five were to before sail from to North America years elapse emigrants would again directly Drogheda and when these resumed the numbers were modest. sailings embarking again quite Relatively small set out for and New in the 1830s. fares of contingents Quebec York early The 'independent bed and provisions' were ?2 toQuebec and ?4 to New York.367On 14 April 1832 the brig Isabella, of sailed from with for and a further Workington, Drogheda 120 emigrants Quebec,368 sixty-six made the voyage in 1833.369On 15 March 1834 the Isabella once again set sail from Drogheda to Quebec. Chartered by local shipowner and broker, Patrick Boylan, it left Drogheda with 170 scenes passengers amidst 'heart-breaking of parents parting with their children'.370 On 5 May of the same own year, Boylan's brig, the Commerce sailed with sixty-seven passengers for New York.371
363 Ibid., 12 May 1827. 364 Mac Cabe's directory, appendix, p. 17; Ships arriving book, Drogheda harbour, 1833-7 (Drogheda Port Company archive). xxx. 365 Poor Inquiry (Ireland), appendix C, part 1, p. 60, H.C. 1836 [35], 366 Drogheda Journal, 26 September 1827. xxx. 367 Poor Inquiry (Ireland), appendix C, part 1, p. 60, H.C. 1836 [35], 368 Drogheda Journal, 14 April 1832. 369 Poor Inquiry (Ireland), supplement to appendix C, part 7, p. 21, H.C. 1836 [35], xxx; Census, 1841, pp 450-1. 370 Drogheda Sentinel, 19 April 1834. 371 Ibid., 7 May 1834. 246 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
a No further direct voyages to North America were made for the remainder of the decade, state of was not to out to be an ill affairs that probably unrelated the fact that the Isabellas voyage turned one. to mid-summer 1834 been fated News filtered back Drogheda around that the Isabella had lost coast an extract a 13 off the of Canada when the local press published of letter, dated Miramichi, May 1834, from the agent of Lloyd's shipping insurers:372
for from Isabella of Workington, Morris master, with 159 passengers Quebec Drogheda, on at an went to struck the west side of St. Paul's three o'clock a.m., 8th May, and in hour All and on and were relieved the pieces. the passengers crew, except eight, got shore, by on island. news a vessel persons stationed the On the reaching Miramichi, with provisions and clothes was immediately dispatched by the Commissioners of Lights; and the inhabi tants sent a of clothes and other necessaries ... large supply
Both in Isabellas on local newspapers reported, addition, that the passengers, leaving Drogheda, had women and a total that comprised seventy-five men, fifty forty-three children, making slightly with it is also at variance with the total conflicts that given by Lloyd's agent. Indeed, marginally one of these at the time of embarkation. Such passenger number reported by very journals are not as sources for numbers this discrepancies unusual, however, passenger during period numbers are taken as abound with such inconsistencies. The quoted therefore best reflecting and seen as News of safe of the Commerce in general orders of magnitude approximate. the arrival New York reached Drogheda in mid-July, and in light of the Isabella's fate itmust have been greeted with some relief. Despite the lack of rigour in statistical reporting by journals of the it is to construct a reasonable of these the period, possible, however, profile passengers. Overall, in from in the were emigrants question embarking Drogheda early 1830s predominantly male, females about two to and from various of the outnumbering by one, they comprised people parts as well as from A and of who from country, Drogheda. breakdown, by gender age, those emigrated Drogheda to North America during 1832, 1833 and 1834 is outlined in Figure 6.3. The bulk of those were and in the of Set the of from sailing young prime life.373 against scale emigration as a were not Ireland whole, however, the numbers embarking from Drogheda very significant. to America were rather and inter Direct passenger sailings from Drogheda North infrequent mittent during the 1840s. In May 1842 the Lady Douglas, a brig chartered by Patrick Boylan, set sail for New Brunswick, but the number of passengers it carried is unclear.374 The local press reported 160 returns record that were on that it took but the official parliamentary ninety-one emigrants neither of be accurate as board.375 It is possible that these may fully the government emigrant at on on 30 office New Brunswick recorded 107 emigrant arrivals the Lady Douglas June 1842.376 No further left for North America until when the emigrant ships Drogheda 1845, barque, Warrior, to New On its return the Warrior ferried forty-five passengers St John's, Brunswick.377 journey timber to for local and Patrick The brought Drogheda shipping agent broker, Boylan.378 emigrants
372 Ibid., 21 June 1834; Drogheda Journal, 21 June 1834; the Drogheda Journal appears to have seriously misprinted the total passenger number. 373 Poor Inquiry (Ireland), supplement to appendix C, part 1, p. 21, H.C. 1836 [35], xxx; Census, 1841, pp 450-1. on 374 Drogheda Journal, 21 May 1842; Boylan's office was located the North Quay. 375 Return of the number of emigrants who have embarked from the various ports of theUnited Kingdom during theyear 1842; census showing towhat parts of theworld theyhave emigrated, p. 2, H.C. 1843 (90), xxxiv; The ofIreland for theyear 1851, as part vi, general report,p. cii, H.C. 1856 [2134], xxxi (hereafter cited Census, 1851). or 376 Copies extracts of any correspondence relative to emigration, which has taken place since thedate of the last despatches which were laid beforeParliament, for each of the colonies respectively,p. 120, H.C. 1843 (291), xxxiv. 377 Drogheda Conservative Journal, 29 March 1845; Sixth general report of the colonial land and emigration commissioners: 1846, pp 40-1, H.C. 1846 [706], xxiv; Census, 1851, p. cii; Patrick Boylan was once again the agent. 378 Drogheda Conservative Journal, 15 November 1845. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 247
180 160 140 120
Number of 10? emigrants $0 IMALE IFEMALE 60 40 20 0 <10 10-30 31-50 >50 Age
Figure 6.3: Profile of emigrants from Drogheda to North America, 1832-4 inclusive.
FOR ST. JOUST'S TKElrV SRUNSWICK. TO SAIL PUNCTUALLY ON THE 13thOF MAY, FROM THIS PORT, WITH PASSENGERS, The well known Fast sailing Brig IiuAy Douglas. JAMES TIERNAN, COMMANDER. 330 Tons Burden. GOOD OPPORTUNITY is now afforded to all Per A sons desirous of Emigrating to Upper Canada, and the United States, as St. John's is a convenient port to either of the above Settlements. or For Freight Passage apply at Mr. BOYLAN'S Office, North Quay, or on Board. Drogheda, April 1, 1842. re Plate 6.2: Newspaper advertisement emigrant sailings direct from Drogheda to North America {Drogheda Conservative Journal, 16 April 1842). 248 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal on from therefore served as ballast. New the outbound voyage Drogheda effectively fare-paying was once for a aboard the which sailed Brunswick again the destination further sixty-five Warrior, from Drogheda inApril 1846.379The report of the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners census that no embarked for 1847 and that of the subsequent commission each indicate emigrants or from Drogheda for destinations outside of the United Kingdom in either 1847 1849,380 but another return states that one vessel ferried an number out in each of parliamentary unspecified the of clerical error cannot be ruled the in those years.381 Whilst possibility simple out, discrepancy the records be due to the fact that the of was not surviving could just possibly port Drogheda the of an officer and that under supervision official emigration trading vessels, having discharged their in in an have taken on board as cargoes Drogheda, may, impromptu fashion, emigrants on occur not have been ballast for the return voyage those occasions.382 If this did itwould particu as a of the House of Lords in 1847 was informed that the larly unusual, select committee sitting was common in some of the in and census practice parts country.383 Furthermore, parliamentary returns it is two a total of 494 to New York in 1848.384 stated that sailings conveyed passengers lists of at the of New York indicate that no less than However, passenger immigrants arriving port four vessels from landed there in that The Anne sailed Drogheda passengers year. brig, of Yarmouth, in late two of whom died on the but the 104 with 106 passengers February,385 voyage, remaining a arrived at New York on 6 April 1848. The barque, Warrior, set sail inMarch and landed further in on 15 Another 130 arrived on board the on 10 ninety-one emigrants New York May.386 Janet a on more aboard the October, and month later, 10 November 1848, eighty passengers arrived a B. and There were Adeline-Cann,5*7 vessel chartered by local businessmen, Collins J. Fanning.388 no in such sailings whatever 1850.389 as a from to countries Set in the context of the country whole, direct emigration Drogheda was 0.19 cent of Ireland's total to other than Britain miniscule, constituting just per emigration such destinations during the decade to 6 June 1841. Why should the port ofDrogheda have held
379 Seventh general report of the colonial land and emigration commissioners: 1847, p. 36, H.C. 1847 [809], xxxiii; Drogheda at Conservative Journal, 14 March 1846; Drogheda Argus, 9 May 1846 put the number sixty-four. 380 Eighth general report of the colonial land and emigration commissioners: 1848, p. 37, H.C. 1847-8 [961], xxvi; Census, 1851, p. ciii. United with on 381 Return of the number ofpassenger ships which have sailed from ports in the Kingdom emigrants board, during are an or with the lastfive years; distinguishing whether such ports under the superintendence of emigration officer not; the or so H.C. number of such ships which have been wrecked destroyed at sea, and thenumber of lives lost, p. 10, 1852 (245), xlix. in the from 382 In April and May 1847, for example, two large consignments of grain arrived port Norfolk, Virginia, - as U.S.A., for Messrs Smith and Smyth Drogheda Argus, 1, 8 May 1847; vessels such these may just have taken passengers on board. on 383 Report of the select committee of theHouse ofLords colonization from Ireland; togetherwith minutes of evidence, pp 334-5, H.C. 1847 [737], vi. xxii - it is 384 Ninth general report of the colonial land and emigration commissioners: 1849, p. 33, H.C. 1849 [1082], returns of 494 from Return the number possible that subsequent parliamentary merely copied the figure this; of of on the last passenger ships which have sailed from ports in the United Kingdom with emigrants board, during five years; are an or thenumber such distinguishing whether such ports under the superintendence of emigration officer not; with of ships or so which have been wrecked destroyed at sea, and thenumber of lives lost, p. 10, H.C. 1852 (245), xlix; Census, 1851, p. ciii.
385 Drogheda Conservative Journal, 5 February 1848; Drogheda Argus, 12 February 1848. out on 386 A local newspaper, the Drogheda Conservative Journal, 1 April 1848, reported that ninety-five sailed the Warrior, but the New York passenger lists do not indicate any deaths at sea, so the newspaper report may have been slightly inaccurate. 387 The Famine immigrants: lists of Irish immigrants arriving at theport ofNew York, 1846-51 (7 vols., Baltimore, 1983), ii, pp 293-4, 389; ibid., iii, pp 213-14, 293. 388 The Irish Advocate, 2 December 1848; Drogheda Argus, 2 December 1848. 389 Census, 1851, p. ciii. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 249
a cause was such small slice of the transatlantic passenger business? The root fundamentally geographic, founded on Drogheda's proximity to the large British port of Liverpool, which dominated transatlantic trade. As the nineteenth assumed a century progressed Drogheda as a to The volumes growing role feeder port its larger British neighbour. low passenger emigrat to North America therefore but a element of the total ing directly comprised tiny emigration as steamers for were in through the port of Drogheda, many of those who boarded local Liverpool on the first a them across the reality embarking just stage of voyage that would ultimately take Atlantic ocean. for substantial waves of A?nerica-bound Occasionally, Drogheda port catered quite North to the of for the numbers emigrants seeking passage Liverpool. During spring 1837, example, in en route to were so as to draw editorial comment from a local arriving Drogheda America, large
newspaper:390
mania of to America was never more than the We believe the emigration prevalent during season. town for some been present The roads leading into this have, weeks, literally - crowded with to from the land of their of if persons about depart nativity many whom, one from of seem to have been in may judge the appearance their luggage, tolerably of those such as are comfortable circumstances. The majority individuals, particularly we warm artisans and labourers, have, understand, received encouragement from their - in cases funds ... transatlantic friends the latter having many remitted them the necessary
to from bound for America at this It would seem, judge these comments, that passengers period not emanate most sectors Irish Even the did from the economically deprived of society. so, of into baleful theatres of sorrow. In departure emigrants transformed Drogheda's quays mid-April for the the scenes that 1837, example, Drogheda Journal graphically depicted harrowing accompa nied the of the Green Isle as it left with a of departure paddle-steamer contingent emigrants:391
... on sorrow tears groups of friends the shore and the undissembled looks of and of in ... an burst the multitude anguish manifest every face agonising shout from assembled on the was but to the efforts of the shore, which faintly responded by choking parting on For a considerable distance the side were to be seen friends board. along Boyne groups sexes and as the vessel of all ages and wringing their hands waving their handkerchiefs a whom never more behold. passed, and uttering Banathleath?92 upon those they might
Statistical evidence for levels of passenger trafficfrom Drogheda to Liverpool during the 1840s is rather and it is not to the extent to sparse fragmentary. Consequently possible precisely quantify which was Irish to either to North America via Drogheda port used by people wishing emigrate or to itself this the Liverpool Britain during period. Nonetheless, notwithstanding rudimentary nature of the it is to a reasonable There is broad available data possible piece together picture. hard in the 1841 census that consistency between the statistics published report showing Drogheda a of traffic to steamship operators commanded significant proportion Ireland's passenger Liverpool (23.91 per cent of all deck passengers) and data compiled later in the decade when vast a new life in famine opened the floodgates and numbers sought foreign lands. The first succumbed to serious in country's potato crop attack by blight {Phytophtera infestans) autumn was but itwas to be the first of a succes the of 1845. The ensuing crop failure just partial, sion. Food the winter of 1845 and of 1846 shortages experienced during spring consequently out to be of the Great Famine. The numbers to America in turned harbingers emigrating early
390 Drogheda Journal, 8 April 1837. 391 Ibid., 15 April 1837. was a 392 This pseudo-phonetic spelling for the valediction, Beannacht teat, commonly used in the Irish language. 250 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
American and Australian JPACHLET office, ?lrogfjelfa
FOR QUEBEC, A SPLENDID NEW FIRST-CLASS SHIP TO SAIL on the22nd APRIL.
For St. JOHN'A N. B. A FINE FIRST-CLASS SHIP, TO SAIL ON THE 23dr APRIL. FOR NEW YORK. OXFORD,.Rathbone...l250... 19th GLENVLEW.1500... 22nd PATRICK HENRY.Delano,.1500... 25th ...... SHEFFIELD, Allen 1000 tons 1st of May. ROSCIUS ... Collins ... 1550 tons ... 13th do.
These Ships are all of the first and largest class, and were built expressly as Packets for the different Lines to which they belong, and have long been celebrated for their superiority of accommodation and swiftness of sailing. A few respectable persons can be accommodated in the Cabin, Second Cabin and Steerage of each of the above Ships, on to application WM. MILEY, Steam Packet Quay, Drogheda, or P. W. BYRNES, 36, Waterloo Road, Liverpool. N.B?Passengers engaging for any of the above Ships, will have their expenses paid, if detained in Liverpool moro than 48 hours, after the day named for sailing.
Plate 6.3: Newspaper advertisement from American and Australian Packets Office, Drogheda (Drogheda Conservative Journal, 16 April 1842). The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 251
an Plate 6.4: Print depicting the departure of emigrant vessel from Liverpool (Illustrated London News, 6 July 1850).
1846 can therefore be considered as the first wave of the Great Famine exodus. Although there is no record of the overall numbers who sailed from to surviving Drogheda Liverpool during the months of more and more were on early 1846, passengers setting their sights America. 3,080 to seek from to America 9 a passed through Drogheda port passage Liverpool by May, record high, which was about treble the number for 1845. corresponding The Drogheda Argus maintained that it was more than double the number that had in one previously gone any year. It described these as industrious and to emigrants young, enterprising, and lamented their loss the country. As to America were ever to the became people going unlikely return, Drogheda quays increasingly sorrowful locations as after ferried the The steamship steamship emigrants away. Drogheda Argus a of scenes to be witnessed in painted graphic word picture the there the spring of 1846:393
as we Walk down to the quay, have done, about the hour any of our steam-boats leave the - - Look the dense of heads the the port. upon throng mourning straining eyes clasped hands of those who lean over the vessel's side towards the seems land, till she well nigh and then of and reeling; the waving handkerchiefs hats from the shore, the convulsive sob, ... see the dishevelled hair, the beating of hands the hundreds of brothers, sisters, lovers, the to friends, running, madly running along strand, vainly striving keep pace with the - and as she courses ... rapid magnificent steam-ship along; that wild, that unnatural cheer cheer! itwas a a wail... an as can No, shriek, unearthly sound, such be felt, palpably felt, but not ... a ... scene described cry of grief is the last response who that has witnessed this of recurrence at our can dare us a daily quay tell that parting of this kind is desired.
393 Drogheda Argus, 9 May 1846. 252 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
The continued but the exodus to America slowed population haemorrhage throughout 1846, down autumn time in line with seasonal of from to by trends: about 200 those travelling Drogheda the last three weeks of were destined for whereas about 600 Liverpool during September America, west were to to people, principally from the of Ireland, emigrating England via the Drogheda sea route Liverpool each week.394 The winter on a never of 1846-7 brought hunger and starvation scale before experienced, vast numbers to flee the became the favoured for those causing country. Liverpool option lacking means to a to in in the procure passage America and the escalating numbers arriving that city were as to cause resources January 1847 such great alarm among the authorities and put the city's under severe strain. 4 for Irish were in On January 1847, example, 3,189 pauper immigrants receipt of relief in Liverpool, but a fortnight later the number had rocketed to 18,053 and on 28 In a January it reached 24,297. less than month the number had increased almost eight-fold and the situation seemed to be out of On 16 the head constable of spiralling control.395 February 1847 M.M.G. the of that with a Liverpool, Dowling, presented mayor city, George Lawrence, report which he had compiled on the daily arrivals of paupers by steamship from Ireland. It showed that between 13 and 16 a of five a total of January February, inclusive, period weeks, 30,039 people arrived in Liverpool from Ireland, 7,935 of whom had embarked from Drogheda and 11,569 from Dublin and therefore 38.51 and cent of the Dublin.396 Drogheda handled 26.42 per traffic, respec in line their of tively, proportions broadly with, though slightly up on, corresponding percentages
a on an Plate 6.5: Print depicting roll-call the quarter deck of emigrant ship (Illustrated London Nexos, 6 July 1850).
394 Ibid., 3 October 1846. or 395 Copies of, extractsfrom, any correspondence addressed toHer Majesty's secretary of statefor theHome Department, relative to the recent immigration of destitute Irish into Liverpool, p. 9, H.C. 1847 (193), liv. 396 The head constable noted that the large arrivals commenced on 9 December 1846. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 253
34.16 per cent and 23.91 per cent of the deck passenger traffic ferried to Britain during the summer of 1841. In 1847 Drogheda port still ranked second to Dublin, just as it had at the beginning of the decade. People also travelled to Liverpool from ten other Irish ports during this but their numbers were small with the Dublin and period, relatively by comparison Drogheda the that ranked for catered for 9.2 cent of all figures. Sligo, port third, example, just per Liverpool bound passengers during this five-week period early in 1847, and in last position came Portrush a mere cent 6.4 the of women with 0.12 per of the business.397 Figure illustrates proportions men, to from of Ireland and children among the passengers carried Liverpool the principal ports that during period. Men far and accounted for cent of all comprised the biggest category by fifty-six per passengers at at that time. This is in view of the fact that Ireland's landing Liverpool hardly surprising poor on the of relief to able-bodied them law system operated principle denying men, thereby forcing to in a than number of children travel search of employment. However, higher average travelling on to route reduced the of men the to the Drogheda Liverpool proportion among passengers fifty from was almost on a with per cent. Indeed, the number of children embarking Drogheda par former as to from the latter on a Dublin, i.e. 1,713 from the opposed 1,751 port. Furthermore, more children sailed from at this time than from other in proportionate basis, Drogheda any port of a from which few sailed in the country with the exception Sligo, port relatively passengers any event. even more children were ferried the still Nonetheless, though by Drogheda steamers, they a over one in five of the The of women only comprised little passengers. proportion embarking was in the national norm at from Drogheda, however, broadly line with and, twenty-nine per cent, was over two cent for the as a whole. Entire families therefore just per above the average country formed a of the relatively small proportion voyagers. The five steamship sailings per week out of Drogheda (subject to weather conditions) during the early part of 1847 conveyed an average weekly total of 1,585 people to Liverpool, but numbers to some for Lord while could fluctuate extent.398 On 4 February 1847, example, Brougham,
12000^1 10000
8000
D Children passengers 6000 IMen 4000
2000 i rrm z3 I S" f s ?
Irish to 16 1847 Figure 6.4: Profile of passengers arriving in Liverpool from ports, 13 January February (inclusive).
or toHer state theHome relative 397 Copies of, extractsfrom, any correspondence addressed Majesty's secretary of for Department, to the recent immigration of destitute Irish into Liverpool, p. 16, H.C. 1847 (193), liv. were to no either on or on 398 Ibid., scheduling arrangements such that there tended be outbound sailings Sundays a or a one other day at mid-week (usually Wednesday Thursday). 254 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
to the House of Lords in on in influx reporting London the distress Liverpool occasioned by the of Irish paupers, stated that 692 had landed from Drogheda on the last two days of January alone.399 Would-be in fell into two main economic those bound emigrants arriving Drogheda categories: for America and those to The former had to at to for going England. have least enough money pay the to America in addition to the costs involved in to in voyage from Liverpool getting Liverpool the first were in more comfortable circumstances than their place. They generally England-bound of whom were in a It was the latter of counterparts, many desperate situation.400 category emigrant that often most on streets of A for presented the pitiful spectacle the Drogheda. local newspaper, in that and children have with example, reported mid-February 'women been actually contesting - cattle for of raw which were on the Steam-Packet so pieces turnips lying Quay many completely as to to walk on and in such a state as to excite fears as to prostrated be unable board the packet, whether could survive the The numbers continued to rise they voyage'.401 embarking, nonetheless, and during the firstweek inMarch 1847 over 2,500 sailed from Drogheda.402 the evidence does not an exact of the total who Whilst surviving allow computation number embarked from for in the harsh Famine of it is to a Drogheda Liverpool year 1847, possible make reasonable estimate returns furnished Edward from general by Liverpool stipendiary magistrate, to a His statistics that from Ireland Rushton, parliamentary inquiry. showed 296,231 people landed at Liverpool in the period from 13 January to 13 December 1847, inclusive, of whom 50,000 had arrived on were in of to United States. 'Half business, and 130,000 the process emigrating the naked and over made the remainder and for them starving' paupers, numbering 116,000, up Britain was steamers cent of the final destination.403 Noting that Drogheda transported 23.91 per deck from in summer of 1841 and that the passengers entering Liverpool Ireland the correspond ing proportion for a five-week period in January/February 1847 (forwhich figures are available) was a similar it reasonable to assume that the remarkably 26.42 per cent, is proportion conveyed by the as a was in of Drogheda Steam-packet Company for 1847 whole somewhere the region twenty five per cent. This would suggest that approximately 74,000 embarked at Drogheda port in 1847, to en route to were on about 32,500 of whom travelled Liverpool North America, 12,500 business and the were whose concern was to reach Britain itself. A remaining 29,000 paupers prime graphic of is in representation of the relative sizes these categories given Figure 6.5. It would therefore be to as wrong consider all passengers leaving Drogheda port during the Famine totally destitute. Almost seventeen cent of at in on of per those landing Liverpool 1847 travelled business, many would their This whom have been livestock dealers accompanying animals. relatively high percent does not a number different as the age imply correspondingly large of business travellers, however, same livestock dealers and made a of round to in frequently routinely multiplicity trips Liverpool the course of their trade. Patrick the of Indeed, Ternan, secretary the Drogheda Steam-packet in a mere on were Company, attested May 1847 that twenty-five cabin passengers, average, to in conveyed from Drogheda Liverpool each week, indicating that its business passengers, the
399 Hansard's parliamentary debates, third series, txxxix (London, 1847), p. 770. were 400 Drogheda Conservative Journal, 9 May 1846, 27 March, 1 May 1847. Those heading for America principally a on a from rural background, but not exclusively so. Drogheda Argus, 12 June 1847 stated that very large propor was tion of the money withdrawn from the Drogheda Savings Bank during the previous six months taken out by people who had since emigrated to America. 401 Drogheda Argus, 13 February 1847. 402 Ibid., 6 March 1847. a 403 Copy of letteraddressed to her majesty 's secretary of statefor theHome Department, byEdward Rushton, Esquire, stipendiary on magistrate of Liverpool, bearing date 21st April 1849, p. 1, H.C. 1849 (266), xlvii; Report of the select committee poor on removal, p. 358, H.C. 1854 (396), xvii; Captain Denham's report passenger accommodation in steamers between Ireland and Liverpool, p. 8, H.C. 1849 [339], li. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 255
U.S. Emigrants Businessmen D Britain-boundPaupers
Figure 6.5: Estimate of passengers leaving Drogheda port for Liverpool, 1847.
nor the most comfortable of in main, neither sought enjoyed conditions.404 This, turn, implies that their were of modest scale. enterprises Famine victims that flocked to to Nonetheless, the Drogheda seeking passage Liverpool a and even were in transit their can presented frightful sight though they presence only have the climate of destitution and On streets in exacerbated local deprivation, dejection. the and the 'hollow 'sunken terror and public places ubiquitous cheek' and eye' simultaneously infused an sense of to despair into the beholder,405 bringing added depression the already traumatised and in a on local community impacting very disconcerting and demoralising way Drogheda's most to on town was street ambience. The extreme distress be witnessed the streets of the amongst Famine victims from the west of Ireland for These of bore heading Liverpool. people, many whom a cadaverous were not entitled to relief at the kitchens as their appearance,406 Drogheda soup names were not on the local relief lists. Their nonetheless drew instant and plight occasionally from the of on an ad-hoc basis. The spontaneous compassion people the town, albeit following report published by the Drogheda Argus in February 1847 gives a vivid and poignant portrayal of the state of some of those their the town: distressed making way through
The mendicants on the streets is of are number of daily increasing and very many these creatures from western to to poor the counties, endeavouring make their way England. On a a man two Thursday evening family consisting of and his wife and children, arrived here on from the neighbourhood of Ballina, County Mayo. They had been three weeks the road ... no means of in The wretched family had going farther, and passing down Shop Street - woman in arms was the fell exhausted by her sufferings the child she carried her evidently - a her an of of dying second carried by husband presented appalling picture the ravages man on famine, whilst the himself seemed hardly alive. The mother and child lay prostrate the a and a was to side of the street, crowd gathered around, small collection made preserve
404 Drogheda Conservative Journal, 8 May 1847. 405 Drogheda Argus, 9 January 1847. 406 Ibid., 13 February 1847. 256 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
was for On the their lives. A lodging procured, and nourishment provided them. yesterday are This is one of almost innumer children died. The parents however recovering. but the cases able of destitution witnessed amongst the crowds daily arriving here from the west.407
famine distress meant times for the Ironically, widespread starvation, and boom steam-packet of as for to their owners with an companies Ireland rising demand transport England presented to make Their treatment of Famine victims to opportunity increased profits. seeking passage was more and than Liverpool determined by business considerations the profit motive by compas sion or what had a seller's market in sea to came humanity. However, become transport Liverpool sanction under threat in 1847 with demands from the Liverpool authorities that government measures to and the of disease from sick and Irish safeguard public health curtail spread starving In in the House of two vessels were to be paupers. May the government announced Commons that as in the and that a custom-house officer board vessel deployed hospital ships Mersey would every coming in with deck passengers and hoist a yellow flag if disease was found. A medical officer then and have cases removed to But of most would inspect the passengers fever hospital ships. concern to was the notice with which were that continued shipowners they served, warning of fever cases in their under The new carrying could result vessels being placed quarantine.408 had the to business if were due to fever regulations potential severely disrupt ships delayed among of Dundalk and passengers. To circumvent this, the steam-packet companies Dublin, Drogheda, a notice that thence Newry collectively responded by publishing informing intending passengers forward they would be subject to medical inspection before being allowed on board and that to own labour be These destitute persons unfit support themselves by their would refused passage. alone would have been a considerable on unfortunates procedures imposition many poor to to but their tribulations were to increase further. In the steam desperate get England addition, took to enhance their and obviate cost packet companies the opportunity profitability any implica new measures the deck fare to to five from tions arising from the by increasing Liverpool shillings to it cost two to from to so the mid-May 1847.409 Prior that just shillings get Drogheda Liverpool, had to times that on the The charge been hiked up two-and-a-half previously obtaining route.410 announcement and increased stress to sudden took people by surprise brought and hardship Famine victims in in the of a across the impoverished arriving Drogheda hope securing passage the town to the announcement of the fare Irish Sea. Many who had reached immediately prior not new had little but to resort to or to increase could afford the charge and option begging their in an to make the difference. For the selling meagre possessions effort up some, however, fare an obstacle and for them became a forlorn higher presented insuperable reaching Liverpool hope.411 the and to the new From that point onward only healthy able-bodied with enough money pay for to inflated fares could qualify deck passage. Would-be emigrants nonetheless continued pour into and an article from the Meath Herald in the Freeman's Drogheda newspaper, reprinted Journal in late October that a in which are not observed 1848, reported 'scarcely day passes strangers - sea or the which wending their way towards the ports of Drogheda Dublin flying from misery
407 Ibid., 20 February 1847. 408 Hansard's parliamentary debates: third series, xcii (London, 1847), pp 524-6. a 409 Drogheda Conservative Journal, 15 May 1847; Drogheda Argus, 15 May 1847; the establishment of common deck some fare would have also helped to placate critics in Liverpool, of whom maintained that the dampening effect on fares brought about by competition between steam-packet companies induced increasing numbers of paupers to travel to their town. 410 Drogheda Argus, 20 February 1847; Drogheda Conservative Journal, 17 April 1847. 411 Drogheda Argus, 15 May 1847. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 257
at Plate 6.6: Print of government medical inspector's office Liverpool (Illustrated London News, 6 July 1850).
to Those the to threatens visit their homes upon the arrival of winter'.412 making voyage Liverpool, of a In 1849 a H. M. Denham on however, had little prospect pleasant voyage. report by Captain steamers from Ireland to Britain was to passenger accommodation aboard plying presented a to deck Parliament. In damning indictment of the facilities afforded by steamship operators it described in detail the conditions to which accommodat passengers horrifying appalling people on were he been informed the ed the decks of these vessels subjected. Denham stated that had by that: police
During the years 1847 and 1848 there were frequently from 600 to 800 deck passengers on one at a from of board of steam-vessel time, arriving the ports Dublin, Drogheda, Dundalk, on the cattle and and Sligo, crowded together deck, mixed amongst besmeared with their in and wet of the sea over dung, clothed rags saturated with (the spray having washed them so that on their from the of the the want of during the voyage), arrival, fatigue passage, to without proper food and clothing, many of them have been unable go ashore assistance, to were not to and the of such unfor and all appearance likely survive many days; hardships tunate deck are a as the passengers frequently augmented by contrary wind, paddle a east to steamers are not able to make the passage (with strong wind) in less than from 18 ... on 20 hours and on many occasions women have been confined or delivered the passage 413
412 The Freeman's Journal, 25 October 1848. on steamers 413 Captain Denham's report passenger accommodation in betiueen Ireland and Liverpool, p. 6, H.C. 1849 [339], li. 258 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
was at was to This testimony corroborated by the tide surveyor Liverpool port, whose duty it board steam to incoming vessels from Ireland. He attested having experienced great difficulty crossing decks due to close of and to the of to cattle had crowding people anxiety passengers avoid the they to In were share the decks with. his estimation deck passengers 'the lowest and poorest grade of in almost without and when it occurs that those vessels have society, and, many cases, clothing; weather and adverse the time of is and there rough winds, passage considerably lengthened, being no shelter for deck their from wet and cold must be Denham's passengers, suffering very great'.414 was to the of and in a to contest report much chagrin the steam-packet companies feeble attempt the in its findings, William McElroy, Drogheda Steam-packet Company's agent Liverpool asserted livestock on decks of that vessels were off with and that the that the company's partitioned boards number of deck carried aboard its Brian Boiroimhe steamer was largest passengers during 1847 the the 580.415 Even though McElroy's vested interest opens possibility of understatement, admitted figure of 580 deck passengers on the ship is in broad conformity with the numbers mentioned in the statement in a from Liverpool police anyhow. Ironically, 1850, following report the select of the Board of Trade that the master of the Brian Boiroimhe be vestry Liverpool, ordered for his prosecuted overcrowding ship.416 content to on from Denham also Not rely written and oral evidence third parties alone, steam at he of the inspected thirteen vessels first hand, during which found 'the mire and stench' areas and to encounter'. occupied jointly by people, cattle, horses, sheep, pigs poultry 'difficult The stated that the amount of deck Drogheda Steam-packet Company's Liverpool agent space for aboard its vessels varied to the numbers of and of appropriated passengers according people livestock to be carried. He also admitted that no space was reserved below decks to which deck resort reasons was and passengers could for shelter. Among the given that 'the between-decks the not In a holds, being invariably filled with livestock and merchandize, latter would be safe'.417 to the M.P. for Sir William further the letter Drogheda, Somerville, McElroy justified company's itwas and to have the practices by stating that necessary for the steadiness safety of the ship heavy on weight below and the light weight (i.e. passengers) deck.418 However, the Drogheda company was no means in to reserve decks for by unique failing space below the shelter of deck passengers a It was no Denham and similar situation existed with the Dublin and Newry lines. wonder that concluded that 'the recent to for its to the of appeals government interference, mitigate sufferings are too out He was the poorer class of passengers between Ireland and Liverpool, well borne ...'419 were of own to introduce satis clearly of the view that steamship operators unlikely, their volition, factory conditions for the conveyance of deck passengers. No enumeration of those for ever took the latter half leaving Drogheda Liverpool place during of 1840s and there is a dearth of hard statistical evidence on this Some the consequently subject. isolated can be found in local but these are for scraps newspaper reportage particularly inadequate Nor was there an enumeration conducted at itself. the years 1848-50. ongoing systematic Liverpool Estimates of the total numbers landing there from Ireland were compiled by the police for 1847 and but as annual were to some extent and did not 1850, figures they incomplete they generally are in Table differentiate by port of origin. These estimates given 6.1.
414 Ibid., pp 7-8, H.C. 1849 [339], li. 415 Drogheda Argus, 7 July 1849. 416 The Liverpool Mercury, 10 January 1851. 417 Captain Denham's report on passenger accommodation in steamers between Ireland and Liverpool, pp 10, 31-2, H.C. 1849 [339], li. 418 Drogheda Argus, 7 July 1849. on 419 Captain Denham's report passenger accommodation in steamers between Ireland and Liverpool, pp 9-10, H.C. 1849 [339], li. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 259
Year Paupers Emigrants/Others Total Pauper % 1847 116,231 180,000 296,231 39 1850 77,765 173,236 251,001 31
at Table 6.1: Deck passengers landing Liverpool from Ireland, 1847, 1850.420
In the 1851 census commissioners estimates of the annual numbers addition, published rough of Irish people emigrating from Liverpool during the period 1842-50, based on the loose and that Irish cent of the total from imprecise assumption people comprised ninety per emigration that the commissioners themselves the fact that their port.421 Indeed, freely acknowledged figures were and had 'little doubt that this estimate is below the less than satisfactory admitted that they as in almost truth, inasmuch the emigration from Liverpool has, many years, been exclusively These annual are therefore best assessed as orders of and Irish...'.422 figures general magnitude not too is in in Irish should be taken literally. Their main value illustrating the general trend out a emigration of Liverpool during these years and by implication suggesting corresponding trend in the numbers of America-bound emigrants sailing from Drogheda and Dublin, Ireland's for over this principal embarkation ports, Liverpool period (see Figure 6.6). can never fill of concrete on These statistics the void created by the absence data the numbers from but be the best available indicator of the trend in embarking Drogheda, they may passenger out On the not unreasonable that volumes of Drogheda port during the 1840s. assumption market share of traffic to remained at a Drogheda's passenger Liverpool steady twenty-five per
180000
1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850
Figure 6.6: Estimated Irish emigration from Liverpool to North America, 1842-50.
on 420 Report from the select committee poor removal; togetherwith theminutes of evidence, appendix, and index, pp 358, 593-4, - on H.C. 1854 (396), xvii the 1847 figures listed the above table were submitted by the stipendiary magistrate a for Liverpool, Edward Rushton, in letter dated 21 April 1849 to the Home Secretary, but they just covered the period from 13 January 1847 to 13 December 1847 inclusive, and did not refer to the full calendar year; the are as were figures for 1850 also incomplete, returns discontinued during the period from 19 January to 22 on March 1850; Captain Denham's report passenger accommodation in steamers between Ireland and Liverpool, p. 8, H.C. 1849 [339], li. 421 Census, 1851, pp cii-ciii. 422 Ibid., p. hi. 260 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
cent or thereabouts the the trend in Irish from to during 1840s, escalating emigration Liverpool North America a similar in the would strongly suggest rise numbers arriving in Liverpool from the of This is evidence of numbers of port Drogheda. supported by newspaper particularly high America-bound from for in the of emigrants embarking Drogheda Liverpool spring 1850.423 the Famine mass was Although brought emigration from Ireland, the traffic in human agony not all one of those in remained in Britain for a much shorter way. Many arriving Liverpool period than had intended and were soon to find back to Ireland. This came they themselves shipped about as a result of rules to relief in In order to statutory governing entitlement poor England. for aid a had to have settled status the in was qualify claimant within parish which the claim being made. This status could be established in a limited number of The avenue was ways. principal by virtue of birth in the in but it could also be attained an annual house parish question, by paying rent of at least ten no were in pounds, provided lodgers accommodated. Apprenticeship England could likewise for a claim to and Irish women could it constitute grounds settlement, acquire by in this was not to Irish men. for marriage England, though option open Therefore, those unable to establish it as their of settlement status in an in place nativity, English parish was, effect, founded on economic in made it a the principles. This, practical terms, privilege beyond general reach of impoverished Irish immigrants.424For destitute Irish in Britain this law had grim implica tions. to status were to People seeking poor relief and unable establish settlement liable be taken before a to have their removal to their native In magistrate parish enforced by law. this way English local authorities were to force Irish back to Ireland become a empowered people should they burden on coffers. It was a situation suited as it public that had traditionally English employers allowed them to of Irish labour while at the same time to avail migrant providing legal authority remove to in to or forcibly back Ireland those dire enough straits seek poor relief. Thus, whether not a was on or not poor person deported basically hinged whether circumstances compelled to for relief. In him/her apply poor parallel with this there existed another statutory provision Irish of their own to to be sent to whereby destitute people could, volition, apply magistrates back Ireland at Such were described as back to as parish expense.425 people being 'passed' Ireland, distinct from those 'removed'. Therefore to Ireland at of being poor people returning the expense authorities in Britain two main parish comprised categories: those who travelled voluntarily and those who were forced back under the laws of settlement and removal. This situation until the Five Years Residence which came into force in pertained Act,426 August created a new restriction the a in 1846, whereby removal of paupers from parish which they had lived a minimum of five became once a moved from one to years illegal. However, person parish another he lost all benefit of his five residence. This had serious as an inter the years implications of could in return at a ruption residence result his being removed should he later date. The of not same as status: principle irremoveability therefore did provide the security settlement in settlement was but was a short, permanent irremoveability not.427 Nonetheless, person qualifying under either in a entitled to as as lived there heading particular parish became poor relief long he and needed it.
423 Drogheda Argus, 20 April 1850. on 424 Report from the select committee poor removal; togetherwith theproceedings of the committee,minutes of evidence, appendix, and index, p. 25, H.C. 1854 (396), xvii. c. more 425 Act 17 Geo. II, 5: 'An Act to amend and make effectual the laws relating to rogues, vagabonds, and other idle and disorderly persons, and to houses of correction'. c. 426 Act 9 & 10 Viet., 66: 'An Act to amend the laws relating to the removal of the poor'. on 427 Report from the select committee poor removal; togetherwith theproceedings of the committee,minutes of evidence, appendix, and index, pp 24-6, H.C. 1854 (396), xvii. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 261
the influx of destitute Famine in Ireland the winter of However, huge people fleeing during 1846 and spring of 1847 led to demands, especially from the authorities in Liverpool and The Times new to and the removal of back to newspaper, for statutory provisions facilitate expedite paupers enactment in which Ireland. This culminated in the of the Poor Removal Act June 1847, largely in earlier laws circumvented legal and administrative difficulties inherent by empowering 'any or overseer of or union in to take and guardian, relieving officer, any parish England convey two summons or who shall before justices of the peace, without warrant, every poor person to in and who he have reason to believe is liable to be become chargeable any parish England, may union officers the and removed ...\428 From that point on, parish and poor-law possessed power of constables as far as before for removal was authority police taking poor people magistrates The of this Act the for the of to concerned.429 passing opened floodgates deportation paupers Irish had the masses to in Ireland and steamship companies that conveyed impoverished England the now substantial in them The of first place gained business transporting back again. port became exit for the return traffic and the authorities there lost little Liverpool the principal point in in of to Ireland. In time setting mechanisms place for large-scale transportation paupers back early July 1847 the Manchester Guardian published a report from its Liverpool correspondent, that on terms favourable to the been made with the stating 'arrangements, very parish have agents of the various Irish steamers for the conveyance of Irish paupers to the ports of Dublin, Dundalk, and a matter of the first of Belfast, Newry, Drogheda, Sligo ...\430 Within days, consignment 200 was to Ireland.431 Deck fares from to on the east coast of paupers despatched Liverpool ports Ireland, which cost British local authorities between 2s. 6d. and 35. each, added further to the affluence of wealthy steamship owners.432 Under the new were set ashore in Ireland the of the system deportees simply by captain steamer The was form of communica transporting them. whole procedure conducted without any tion with authorities in Ireland even the in were poor law though people question invariably destitute.433 Once landed, a pauper had to fend for himself, no matter how dire his situation may have been. The law transferred to the nearest their of birth or envisaged paupers being ports place in in not The that were residence Ireland, but practice this did always happen. regulations adopted to the authorities to to Irish as as implement law allowed English convey paupers any port long their consent was obtained.134 in common with other had received removed from Drogheda, ports, paupers forcibly England even to the of the Poor Removal Act of but what had been a trickle was soon to prior passing 1847, a returns the number of removal orders in resemble torrent.435 Parliamentary of granted England are as cases and Wales during the Great Famine incomplete local authorities in many pleaded to on that no documents existed from which to extract inability furnish the information the basis was the number of removal orders in 1847 to it. The data that collected, however, shows granted more of the and these returns also that be than double that previous year, reveal approximately in in were in the two-thirds of those issued England and Wales 1847 granted Lancashire. Thus,
c. 428 Act 10 & 11 Viet., 33: 'An Act to amend the laws relating to the removal of poor persons from England and Scotland'.
429 Section two of the Act gave similar powers to officers of Scottish local authorities. 430 Manchester Guardian, 7 July 1847. a 431 Ibid., 10 July 1847 (quoting report from the Liverpool Mercury). on 432 Report from the select committee poor removal; togetherwith theproceedings of the committee,minutes of evidence, appendix, and index, p. 50, H.C. 1854 (396), xvii. 433 Ibid., p. 36, H.C. 1854 (396), xvii. 434 Ibid., p. 38, H.C. 1854 (396), xvii. 435 Minutes of proceedings of board of guardians, Drogheda Union, 1April 1847. 262 County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal
16000
14000
12000
> 10000 E -CD 8000
?" 6000 Q. 4000
2000
0 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853
Figure 6.7: Annual numbers of paupers sent to Ireland from Liverpool, 1846-53.
in This was corrobo bulk of these removals would, effect, have been from Liverpool.436 evidence rated in a select committee received a 1854 when parliamentary investigating poor removal statement from the clerk of the annual numbers sent back to Ireland vestry Liverpool detailing between 26 December 1845 and 25 December 1853. The 15,008 returned in 1847 was an all-time in returned to high and almost treble the 1846 figure of 5,313.437 The trend annual numbers being Ireland from over the is illustrated in 6.7. Liverpool period 1846-53, inclusive, Figure records to the of to return on the to No exist quantify numbers paupers compelled Liverpool sea their Drogheda route, but there is strong evidence that many also made the trip voluntarily, to the of fares being paid by the Liverpool authorities. Charles Hart, secretary select vestry went on record in to state that 'of whom there is almost a Liverpool, July 1847 paupers daily considerable number' consented to sent from to the of actually being Liverpool ports Drogheda, and It was a that no in the town of Newry, Sligo Portrush.438 practice got popular support On the the of to became a Drogheda, however. contrary, shipment paupers Drogheda port issue and some rancour in the town. The removal was as endan sensitive caused system perceived manner in it was sometimes incensed gering public health and the which conducted local public In opinion. mid-May 1847 the Drogheda Argus newspaper reported:
A in our on six cases of fever on The ship arrived river Tuesday last, with board. patients were to our are we can state on the removed temporary fever hospital and doing well; and best that in the unfortunate home from a few authority immigrants shipped Liverpool was more of in those over weeks ago there far appearance fatal sickness than going ...439
436 Return of the number of orders of removal granted byjustices of thepeace in England and Wales, for each of the lastfive years; specifying thenumber of thesewho were Irish and Scotch paupers removed to theirnative countries, p. 13, H.C. 1850 (666), 1. on 437 Report from the select committee poor removal; togetherwith theproceedings of the committee,minutes of evidence, appendix, and index, p. 369, H.C. 1854 (396), xvii; these annual returns covered the period from 26 December of each year to was 25 December of the following year. Although the return headed 'number of paupers passed to Ireland ...' was it appears that it referred to all paupers whose return to Ireland funded from Liverpool's public purse. 438 Charles Hart to the mayor of Liverpool, 2 July 1847 (NA, Kew, London, Home Office records, HO 45 (OS) 1816). 439 Drogheda Argus, 15 May 1847. The Port ofDrogheda 1790-1850 263
were not town at a On 1 The landing of paupers who natives of the all constituted major grievance. wrote to chief for Sir July 1847 the mayor of Drogheda, James Mathews, the secretary Ireland, William at the behaviour of the and cited a Somerville, protesting bitterly Liverpool authorities incident to his case: particularly appalling support
I find on that five fever cases were to the docks in a and inquiry brought Liverpool cart, on a one forced board for this port. I enclose medical certificate of the state of who should on the had I not for her taken to the fever have perished quay, made arrangements being These have no claim on more than what and Christian hospital. persons us, humanity I trust to our town charity dictate, and that the government will interfere prevent being one sent to turned into vast lazar-house: or if such persons must be removed, let them be the on which are places they legally chargeable.440
concern at to had been aroused the The mayor stressed his the level which local passions by arrivals of and the fear that 'if such be paupers from Liverpool expressed proceedings persevered and if once in, the inhabitants of Drogheda will resist the landing of the poor creatures, excited, may not confine themselves to mere resistance'.441 Thus the on the streets did not from the poverty witnessed of Drogheda always spring within a town a of Ireland local community. As seaport the drew hoards of unfortunates from large part in search of a better life in Britain or North America, but it also had to contend with an inflow of from the Famine The ambience of destitute deportees Britain, particularly during years. prevailing was an of countenances poverty therefore swollen considerably by influx wasting bodies with pallid and other desolate concomitants. As for local this lamentable traffic cargo steamships, however, revenue in sea fares and in the enriched in those enter yielded substantial process shareholders prises.
440 James Mathews, mayor ofDrogheda, to Sir William Somerville, chief secretary for Ireland, 1 July 1847 (NA, Kew, London, Home Office records, HO 45 (OS) 1816). 441 Ibid.