Canada. These large crowds were targets for many criminals who would try in many ways to rob them of their precious money—the money which had perhaps been gathered from many relatives. (It was common practice that one family membergo out to Canada and am the fares for others to emigrate.) The worst of these eon-men, caned crimp: and routers, prided themselves on their ability to lead unsuspecting travellers to a lodging house to await sailing time. There the immigrants ofien became drunk and were robbed and/or picked up diseases which were spread among their fellow travellers aboard ship.
The cost of a ticket, about a half-year’s wages, was raised in a number of ways. Some saved the cost of fare themselves. Others borrowed it from a group of relatives. Some landlords paid passages of tenants to allow the landlords to enlarge their landholdings. Still others were in 'workhouses' (a place which provided food and shelter in times of famine—a sort of poorhouse). Sometimes workhouses provided funds for people to emigrate. That young James Doyle paid his own passage is indicated by him on the 1841 Census. Shipping regulations stated that three passengers could be transported for every five
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UP ON DECK
tons of ship. Since an average vessel was about 250 tons, we can expect that James came out onavessel with 149 other passengers. Temporary births in the holds of these lumber vessels were ten feet long and five feet wide. Each accommodated up to five adults who slept in shifts. During bad weather, hatches had to be closed, sometimes for up to a week. Emigrants normally brought their own food with them to procure cheaper fares. Food consisted
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