2-888-781 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Quarter-Deck of an Emigrant Ship - Roll-Call, 1850. Emigrants leaving Britain for the colonies: United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand. The average annual emigration from the United Kingdom between 1825 and 1850 was 91,407. 'The majority of emigrants take a steerage passage, and go out at the cheapest rate....The passengers...being all assembled upon the quarter-deck, the clerk of the passenger-broker, accompanied by the ship's surgeon...proceeds to call for the tickets...A double purpose is answered by the Roll-call - the verification of the passenger-list, and the medical inspection of the emigrants, on behalf of the captain and owners. The previous inspection on the part of the Governor was for the purpose of preventing the risk of contagious disease on board'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.