The journey from Britain to Otago was the longest voyage you could make in a sailing ship. It took months, was potentially dangerous, and mostly very boring.
This display is an accurate recreation of the steerage quarters of an immigrant sailing ship bound for Otago.
For parts of the journey, it would be hot and stuffy, at others it would be cold and damp. In stormy weather it was terrifying - dark, noisy and lurching violently from side to side. It was cramped with little privacy. The smell would have been overpowering as crowds of sea-sick emigrants were cooped up together for weeks at a time. Short video clips bring the journey to life. 'Climb aboard' this interactive exhibit and discover for yourself what life in steerage was like.
