"One particularly cynical land agent in Derry suggested that he should defer payment until the people arrived, since it was likely only half would survive the journey"  (p. 120).

Liam on board the coffin-ship to Canada The situation on the "coffin ship" is described from the view of the six year old Liam, who didn't really recognize all the happenings on it, because everybody was tortured by hunger, thirst and illness. A third of the people on the "coffin ship" starved and Liam himself forgot his own sickness by watching other people dying. This nearly unbearable journey lasted ten weeks, after which all passengers had to spend six weeks in quarantine. During the quarantine the families were separated and Liam did not see his parents.  The only thing he remembers  was that many children died during this time -" some lying dead beside him half a day" (p.137).

back

back to main-page "Away"

                                                                                   © EN21 L (Dt) Gymnasium Ulricianum Aurich - June 2000