"Departure of the Nimrod and Athlone Steamers with Emgirants on Board, for Liverpool" Illustrated London News.
In the early 1850's about two or three thousand emigrants sailed each year directly from Cork to Quebec. However, many Irish emigrants, whether their nearest port was Dublin, Belfast or Cork, took their transatlantic passage from Liverpool where there were more regular sailings. In this sketch from the Illustrated London News, emigrants leave Cork for Liverpool in 1851 on the Nimrod and Athlone steamers. As many as 1,200 people crowded on the open deck with all their possessions for a crossing which took between two and three days depending on the weather.
