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of coughs and colds, and pain. For the latter, only opium and morphine were used. There were
no cures, other than total cleanliness, for the body lice, fleas and cockroaches that infested
every ship. And the smells - of unwashed bodies, of human and animal excrement, of stinking
bilges and cargoes and rotting wood - must have been inescapable, especially below, where
there was little or no ventilation. Nonetheless, people were accustomed to the stinks and stench
of English towns and villages, which must have smelt like an Indian slum today.
This did not prevent some, however, from complaining loudly and disgustedly about other
passengers, especially those travelling steerage.
Those (men) who didn't or refused to wash were forcibly stripped and scrubbed by their more
sensitive neighbours. Many Irish and Scottish crofters and peasants in steerage, and some
English labourers, revolted the niceties, as well as the noses, of those cabin passengers in the
poop.
William Johnstone, in 1842: 'Our greatest annoyance is the emigrants' - ie, those in steerage on
assisted passages - 'A most awful set, about 20 respectable out of the whole number. Scenes
are daily occurring which... are yet most revolting... Fighting and swearing from morning to
night.' Thomas Murdoch, in 1854: 'We are at our wits' end on the subject of water closets...
The labouring classes are not in the habit of using that form of convenience, and they use it very
ill, and throw bones and all sorts of things down it. They are the greatest nuisance.' Jessie
Campbell, in 1840: 'Captain Grey and the doctor complaining woefully of the filth of Highland
emigrants. They say they would not have believed it possible for human beings to be so dirty in
their habits. Only fancy their using the dishes they have for food for certain other purposes at
night...'
But even cabin class persons could be at fault. William Thompson, a fastidious Scot, in 1854:
'As to the rest, it makes one like to spew to come in contact with them. The one called
Henderson (a woman) is a very bad specimen of vulgarity, slipshod and dirty in the extreme.'
Let us hope that the cabin passengers on the Lady McNaghten had not too much cause to
scorn those in intermediate and steerage; nor they, including the Honeycombes, to sniff, sneer
and scoff at each others' habits, characters and clothes.
Better weather, and open portholes, would have bfessed the Lady McNaghten as she pushed
on southwards, down the northwest coast of Africa, passing the Canary Islands to larboard.
By now, the passengers were more accustomed to the ceaseless sound and movement of the
ship: they would play cards and chess, read or converse, and welcome the chance to sing
hymns on a Sunday. Anglican and Wesleyan services were if possible, held separately, the latter
probably organised and led by the passengers themselves. The presence of a parson on board
ensured a proper and possibly interdenominational service, Such was no doubt provided on the
Lady McNaghten by the Rev Mereweather, dressed in his vestments, bible in hand.
John Fenwick: 'Divine service as usual. The day was beautifully fine, and the effect of the ship
dashing on through the clear blue waves - everything so bright and glorious - was far more
solemn and devotional than any of the artificial accessions got up in cathedral on shore.'
The shooting of sea-birds was a popular pastime - for those of the men who had pistols - and
the shooting or spearing of porpoises. These were cooked and eaten if they could be hauled on
board, as was the occasional shark. In the Southern Ocean even the albatross was caught, using
a baited trap towed astern to ensnare its beak. Sailors and male passengers joined forces in this,
none fearful of the consequences indicated in Coleridge's Ancient Manner, published a few
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