Many books and stories have been written about the Great Famine, but few have illustrated the horrors as well as this, William Henry’s latest book, Coffin Ship: The Wreck of the Brig St. John. In the lead-up to the central story of the tragic voyage, William Henry paints a picture of the conditions that prevailed in Ireland at the time, particularly at the emigrant port of Galway. He records the despair and desperation of the landless peasants, their often horrific journeys on foot to the famine ships and the callousness and dishonesty they suffered at the hands of the ship captains. He refers to the awful conditions which the emigrants endured in places such as Liverpool, where they were packed into small areas. William Henry does not write merely in general terms, but gives authenticity to the story by referring to individuals and their place of origin.
This excellent build-up gives way to the main story of one particular famine ship, the brig St. John. William Henry describes the characters of the captain and crew and outlines the difficulties of life on such a ship. He is at his best when outlining the mounting tension on board as desperate efforts are made to save the ship from the furious and unexpected storm.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the William Henry maintains the reader’s interest by relating the personal stories of both the passengers who survived the tragedy and those onshore who helped get them to safety. This is an outstandingly organised and unforgettable story.
James Casserly
President of the Old Galway Society, 2009