Description

In most cases, the passage to North
America was neither a comfortable
nor a pleasant experience for those
adventurous souls determined to
establish themselves in a new land. The
vessels on which they sailed were often
small. Space was cramped and afforded
little privacy. The sanitary facilities
ranged from fair to non-existent. That
the amenities were so limited should not
be surprising. Many of the ships used to
transport passengers were not designed
for that purpose at all. For example,
vessels that carried loads of lumber to
Europe frequently brought back
cargoes of settlers, often at reduced
rates*