Death Ships - the story of life & death on six big emigrant ships

In 1851, the discovery of gold in Australia had a huge and almost immediate impact on the colonies, as many went to seek their fortune. Shiploads of gold seekers sailed in from the United Kingdom and from around the world. Melbourne was inundated and thus became the world's busiest port…
In the colonies, industry and commerce came to a halt. The mills in Lancashire were forced to close due to a lack of Australian wool. And a desperate call was made to Britain for replacement labour…
British authorities located suitable emigrants, but normal transport ships were no longer available. Many ships were engaged in making money transporting gold seekers to Australia, while others lay abandoned in Port Phillip following desertion by the crew.
Out of Liverpool, the solution emerged.
Six very large North American-built ships became accessible; Wanata, Beejapore, Marco Polo, Shackamaxon, Ticonderoga and Bourneuf.
They were quickly commissioned and departed in 1852 with nearly 5000 passengers on board. This is the account of what took place on each vessel during the journey to the colonies…