What were early immigrant ships like?
CD Rom>Maiden Voyage>Jack: Third Class Passenger Conditions in steerage were often very bad. Many travellers must have believed the adverts from the shipping companies promising ‘a six day trip on a fine ship including a plentiful supply of food’. Some travellers packed their own food and tried to make it last. Often the sea was rough, the voyage was slow and the food became worse and worse as the journey went on. Below deck conditions were very crowded; often hundreds of people were in spaces only six or eight feet high. Men, women and children were separated by blankets hanging down the centre of the room. Many people were seasick, and it was difficult for passengers to wash. Steerage accommodation was smelly, noisy and overcrowded. On calm days, children could play on the deck and adults could get some fresh air; but in bad weather the hatch to the deck was locked to make sure that no one was washed overboard. It was often difficult to get fresh water in steerage and so in stormy we
