The Troop Carrier

Her second voyage, in 1861 and again to New York, saw a new captain, Captain Carnegie, who was replaced at the last minute by the ship's third Captain, Captain William Thompson. After an extensive refit the Great Eastern was then chartered as a troop carrier from Liverpool to Canada to help with the civil war in the United States. For this voyage the ship had a new captain called Captain James Kennedy. As well as over 2000 troops aboard, there were over 400 women and children, 120 horses and 400, crew making a total on board of over 3000. During the voyage 5 stowaways were found and 2 babies were born. Another death onboard brought the total deaths to 24 in number. It would be the only time the Great Eastern was used as a troop carrier but during this voyage she would carry a greater number of crew and passengers than had ever been carried before.


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