Interior of the HMS Jersey Prison Ship

Historical Era:

ERA 3: Revolution and the New Nation (1754–1820s)

Keywords:

Prison Ships Prisoner-of-War/Missing in Action

Year Created: 1855

Historical Theme:

Culture War Diplomacy

Collection:

Patriots or Terrorists, by Edwin G. Burrows

Categories of Documents:

Engraving

Description:

This image, depicting the interior view of the British prison ship HMS Jersey, was engraved in wood by Edward Bookhout. The living conditions on the ship were inhumane and at least 8 prisoners died a day. Disease spread easily, it was overcrowded, and starvation was common. The ship had a capacity of 400 and held 1,100 men, eventually claiming the lives of 11,000 POWs.

Link to content:

https://nycrevolutionarytrail.org/library/prison https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/00649772/