Embarking from British ports

Embarking from British ports

Most emigrants to New Zealand boarded at Greenock (near Glasgow), London or Plymouth. Embarking was often a confusing, stressful experience. This engraving shows emigrants bound for Canterbury in New Zealand, waiting on the docks at Gravesend, London, in September 1850. Some of the people are in lengthy queues, waiting to board the four ships visible in the background. Others amuse themselves with a game of ‘Ring-a-roses’.