Irish+Immigration+1845-1852

The Great Famine (Ireland) by Kelly J.

Ireland's tragic famine lasted from 1845-1849 (depending on region possibly even 1852). By the time it was over, at least 1,000,000 and possibly 1,500,000 people had emigrated. The famine caused starvation, and increased disease and death. By 1850, the Irish made up a quarter of the population in Boston, Massachusetts; New York City; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Baltimore, Maryland.

The voyage to America was intolerable. So many deaths occurred aboard those ships that they were often referred to as "coffin ships". The trip lasted 2-3 months and the conditions were awful. The air became more filthy and foul as the journey progressed due to the lack of ventilation. Food was insufficient and not cooked properly. Sometimes, the ships would port with half their original passenger list. But the Irish attempted it anyway because they knew that to stay in Ireland was sure death. To go was a risk but there was hope at the end of the voyage if it was survived.

From 1841-1850 (during the great hunger) a total of 780,719 immigrants came to America to escape the starvation, disease, and tragedy they would have faced in Ireland as a result of the Great Hunger. Following the Great Hunger (1851-1860) 914,119 immigrants had arrived in America. A total of 4,786,062 immigrants within 182 years (1820-2003).

sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Potato_Famine http://www.sunflower.com/~caitlin/Immigration.html http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/yearbook/2003/2003IMM.pdf