The following 2 articles were published in the 27 Nov. 1847 edition of the Coleraine Chronicle
Frightful effects of Fever on Board an Emigrant Ship bound for Canada St. John’s New Brunswick 19 Oct. 1847 You probably have learned, before this, part of the dreadful story of the ship "Avon", Nicholas JOHNSON, master, of 1,100 tons register, with about 500 passengers which arrived disabled at Miramichi. No fiction (for it would require a perverted or distorted mind to give birth to so horrific a tale) could portray the frightful scenes that occurred on board that ill-fated vessel or relate the extent of misery and suffering which were borne by most of the passengers, in listless and mournful despair and by others, including the Captain, with a fortitude bordering on the most romantic heroism. Already at the outset, the vessel’s doom seemed sealed, for encountering heavy weather, she lost several spars and suffered in her rigging, which retarded her progress during the voyage; still all would have been comparatively well but for the quality and perverseness of the passengers themselves, who were the most unruly, turbulent and wildest set that ever Ireland sent forth. In vain, did the Captain and mate exert every nerve and use every means and persuasion to bring them under some kind of rule, for their own preservation’s sake. They would hearken to no remonstrance, adopt no sanitary measures and even resisted and repelled, with main force, every attempt that was made to ventilate and clean the steerage. Listlessly they would behold the violent typhus fever spread among them and cause immediate death. But this was not all; the infatuated beings, moved by some most inconceivable and demoniacal spirit, would not separate themselves from the dead bodies, until the infection rose to such a pitch on board, that frantic with despair, the Captain, uniting with the Presbyterian part of the passengers and a few able hands of the crew still remaining, assailing the unruly in their strong hold and giving them regular battle, succeeded in overcoming them, when, to their horror and dismay, they discovered above 60 dead bodies, stowed away in chests or sewed up in beds! The deep received them and many a fresh victim soon followed, until the largest portion of the passengers, including all the crew, except 2 hands, died away. The grant agent, Mr. PERLEY has just returned from Miramichi where he instituted, by order of the Government, a most searching investigation respecting the immense loss of life sustained on board the "Looshtauk", which catastrophe attracted so much attention at home a few months ago. It now officially appears that out of 462 passengers, there died on the passage out, 153 And shortly after arrival, 96; sent to Quebec 53; discharged at their own request after performiag quarantine, 160. But of these surviving 243 emigrants, only 196 are still in existence; presenting a total loss of 272 lives out of 462 or about 60 per cent, independent of the numerous crew and worthy mates who, with the exception of 5 hands, have all perished. Emigration - We have been favoured by Capt. RAMSAY, emigration agent at this port, with a Quebec paper bearing date the 28th Oct., from which we learn that the quarantine establishment at Grosse Isle is about to be finally closed, there being no more emigrants on the island. It appears that the number of deaths at this station amounted to 3,452 but to this we have to add the number of deaths which occurred on the passage 3,900; ditto, in vessels during detention at quarantine 1,282 ; ditto at Marine Hospital 1,000; making a grand total of 9,634 deaths. An official return is published of the amount of money and effects left by emigrants who died without relatives at this island from the 16th May - 21st Oct., from which we extract the following in the hope that it may reach the eyes of the friends of the deceased in this country, in which case they should place themselves in immediate communication with the government emigration agent at this port. Died, John BOURK of the ship "Unicorn" from Londonderry, leaving 8s. 6d. and a common silver watch; James M‘KAY of "Marchioness of Abercorn" 10s. 4d.; Catherine RILLIE £5. 7s 7½d., Bridget LAWLESS 14s. 5½ d., Mary M'CALLISTER 9s., all of the ship "Superior"; James WATSON of the "Unicorn" £45 to be sent to his father at Sherbrooke; Catherine BRADY of "Superior" £2 4s. sent to Mr. BUCHANAN. Through the same source we are in receipt of St. John, N B., papers of the 29th ult. They contain an official return from the government emigration office by which it appears, that up to the 1st ult., 94 vessels arrived in the province and landed 15,269 passengers. The deaths at sea on board these vessels amounted to 662. Since the 1st - 23rd ult, four vessels had arrived with 525 passengers, of which the barque "Fanny" from Londonderry contained 223. The whole number landed in New Brunswick this season to the 23rd Oct. amounted to 15,794. 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