Dunbrody (1845) facts for kids

The Dunbrody was a large sailing ship built in 1845. It had three masts and was a type of ship called a barque. It was built in Quebec, Canada, for a family of merchants from New Ross, Wexford, in Ireland. The ship mostly carried goods like timber (wood) and guano (a type of fertilizer) to Ireland.

Carrying Passengers to a New Life

The Dunbrody also carried people. From 1845 to 1851, during spring and summer, it took passengers to North America. These passengers were often families hoping for a better life. Many were trying to escape very difficult times in Ireland, like the Great Famine.

Life on Board for Passengers

Life for passengers on these journeys was very hard. People traveled in a part of the ship called "steerage." A small space, about six feet by six feet, was given to up to four passengers. These people might not even be related.

Many ships at this time had very high death rates. They were sometimes called "coffin ships" because so many people died during the trip. However, the Dunbrody was different. It had a very low death rate. This was thanks to its captains, John Baldwin and John W. Williams. Passengers often wrote letters praising their care and dedication. For example, on one trip with 313 passengers, only 6 people died. This was much better than on many other ships.

The End of the Dunbrody

After 24 years of service, the Dunbrody was sold in 1869. In 1874, while sailing from Cardiff to Quebec, it ran aground. This means it hit the bottom of the river. A company bought the ship, fixed it, and sold it again. But in 1875, the Dunbrody sank off the coast of Labrador. The ship was lost forever.

See also

• Dunbrody (2001), a replica ship constructed.