St Declans N.S.

English Story Work - Jan ‘06

Our class read a story about families emigrating from Ireland during the famine of the 1840s. Many people travelled to America on board ‘coffin ships’. The class wrote about the conditions on board one of these ships.

Below is Bryan Rohan’s story which is a very good example of a journalistic style report.

The Fortunata ………………..….. by Brian Rohan

For the name of the ship it seems you are not very fortunate to get on it. I thought it as a privilege to be brought onto the Fortunata by Dr. Cox but as soon as I stepped on the ship I could smell the vomit and disease.

It was appalling to see the conditions that these poor people were to live in for two months. As we walked through the crowds of sick and dying, there were stains of vomit and human waste.

While the doctor spoke with the captain and crew I talked to some of the sick. One Peggy O Driscoll (passenger) explained how she and her family had been denied soap and water. Also she showed the evidence of the outrageous claim by showing the faces of two misfortunate juveniles. Not only was there dirt on their faces but grime.

No child deserves to live in these unruly conditions. My guess is the only reason these people go on these ships is to escape from the famine which has most likely changed Ireland forever.

If these innocent people were allowed soap and water they would be cleaner and healthier.