Of Onion Boats and other forms of travel

Quoted from : JewishGen Blog by Ann Rabinowitz:
"I decided to contact an expert in British emigration who could sort out both Shirlee’s and my concerns. The person I contacted was well-known expert and lecturer, Dr. Nicholas J. Evans, RCUK Fellow/Lecturer in Diaspora History, Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation/Department of History, University of Hull, Hull, England.

He very graciously provided the following response to Shirlee’s (and my) inquiry:

During the years I have been researching the subject of transporting Russian emigrants, I must confess, I have never heard the suggestion that Onion Boats were used to convey Jewish emigrants. The story however contains a number of features that are familiar - a vague recollection of cargo vessels being used to transport emigrants and also that a vessel with emigrants for America called into Britain. Both aspects can be explained by the effects of intergenerational recollection of the story - coupled with the time difference between the emigrant leaving Russia and when they re-told the story for the first time. The reality in the story is that a cargo vessel unsuited for the carriage of passengers was used to transport the emigrants from Libau (on the Russian Baltic) to a British port - most probably Hull or London. For people not used to seaborne travel what they found left an indelible mark. However, it is more probable that the vessel, if the story can be believed, was previously used for the carriage of "breakfast goods" (ham, eggs, bacon, butter) being exported from Russia to Britain. The other aspect of the story - that they were conned and thought they were being taken all the way to America - can be explained by either (a) an element of "commercial prowess" by the ticket agent or (b) the fact the emigrant did not comprehend emigration from Russia - at that time - involved a two-stage journey.

The latter comprised either a rail or seaborne journey to a European port of embarkation - and then the ocean crossing - or a seaborne journey to Britain and then the ocean crossing. Either way, remember that your ancestors probably had little prior experience of moving anywhere and thus the horror of the experience distorted the reality when it was being explained to subsequent generations. It also makes for a good story! For further details of transmigration through Britain see http://www.movinghere.org.uk/galleries/histories/jewish/journeys/journeys.htm

I hope that Dr. Evans’ response gives a clarifying snapshot of what transpired once our ancestors got their ticket and traveled far from their native habitat. The point he makes that our ancestors probably did have much experience in moving is quite true. Many never strayed far from their tiny shtetl or village. It is truly amazing then that they were able to pull up roots and travel such great distances to make a better life for themselves and their children.