ONCE at sea the emigrants settled down to a community life more close and intimate than any­thing they had ever before experienced, even in those days of overcrowded houses and large families.

When the weather was stormy the steerage passengers stayed below, getting to know the cramped space between decks that was to be their home for at least three months. The space in the middle of the ship was free, except in the very centre where a long table was set up. There were thus two broad gangways on either side. But if there was space here for the children to play, for the young lads to sling sleeping hammocks near their parents’ berths, and for groups to lounge and gossip before meals and when the weather did not favour going on deck, the confinement in the berths themselves was all the more acute. A series of partitions against the sides of the ship divided the groups of four berths, which had usually to be fitted into an area of 6ft. by 6ft. As the height from floor to ceiling was sometimes also 6ft., and never more than 7ft., the double tier of bunks had to be neatly contrived to leave much room over for personal movement. It is well to remember, too, that a ‘ person,’ for purposes of sleeping accommodation (and victualling), might actually be two children between the ages of seven and fourteen, or three below the age of seven.

The emigrants brought their own bedding aboard. The regulations for airing bedding daily were carried out strictly unless the weather was unkind. The boards of the berths were taken out once a week and scrubbed. And the floors under the berths and of the whole between decks area were religiously holystoned at regular intervals. Cabin passengers had far better accommodation, but the second cabin people were hardly better off than the steerage.