Westward Cork Migration by Sail 1815-1860 by John Sutton

PART I CALENDAR OF CORK EMIGRANT SHIP SAILINGS 1815-60

who were desirous of proceeding to St. John with a conveyance, there being fortunately a schooner about to sail for that port. A report of the particulars of this case, with the affidavits of the passengers, I forward separate. It is but justice to the master to state, that he appears in no way to blame, having only joined the vessel a few days previous to her sailing, and he used every exertion to remedy the evil on arrival here. I had also had occasion to place information in the hands of the Crown officer to prosecute the following vessels for the infringement of the Imperial Act, in not having sufficient superficial space for the accommodation of their passengers; viz. the ___ from ___, ___ from ___, ___ and ___ from ___, ___ from ___ and the ___ from ___. The ___ from ___, the ___ and ___ from ___ were fined by the collector of customs for an excess of passengers over the tonnage. These vessels have each paid the penalty’ (A.C. Buchanan, Chief Agent, Emigrant Department, Quebec, 11 July 1842 ( The Ships List ). * Head Tax Debate in St John NB There was discussion about the landing tax levied in New Brunswick being inadequate to meet the charges annually incurred for the relief of emigrants, by the guardians of the poor; a heavier tax was levied on the masters of ships arriving with emigrants at United States ports, therefore they had been landing their passengers at places like Miramichi. Those passengers with means were able to proceed to Boston by steam-vessels, but those without capital were exposed to a fatiguing journey across country, to St. John or St. Andrew (Government Emigration Office, St John, New Brunswick, 4 June 1842: ( The Ships List ). * New Brunswick Report of Irish Ship Arrivals at St John in early 1842 Sir, I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of his Excellency the Lieutenant- governor, that the sailing of the following vessels for this port with emigrants was this day reported to me; viz.

Agnes

from Sligo from Sligo from Belfast

Aisthorpe Cordelia Elizabeth

134

from Liverpool from Londonderry

196 213 237 134 192 197 208 151 150 136 109

Odessa

John Francis Martha Ann

from Cork from Cork from Cork from Cork from Cork from Cork from Cork from Cork from Cork

Argyle British

Pons Ælii

Martha

Thomas Hanford

Clifton

John Wesley

With about 1,000 stout male adults reported and arriving, I trust I may be pardoned if I express regret that some of the useful public works suggested by his Excellency were not opened for employment of such useful and valuable immigrants (A Wedderburn, Government Immigration Office, New Brunswick, 21 May 1842).