In the winter of 1846, Irish immigrants in America began to hear troubling news from their home country: a potato famine was ravaging the countryside and driving desperate farmers and families into the cities. Soon more than 1 million people would perish.Learning of the horror and despair, Americans became determined to respond to the crisis. In March 1847, a crucial relief mission departed from Boston, carrying hundreds of barrels of food and aid across the Atlantic Ocean directly to the shores of Ireland. It would eventually become the first global humanitarian mission of its kind, setting a precedent for America’s growing role in the world, and strengthening the unique bond between Ireland and the U.S.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to American History Tellers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-history-tellers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts and experience American history like never before. Imagine it's December 1846 in Cork County, Ireland. You stagger through bare, desolate hills, shivering against bitter cold. You're the mother of five young children and a farmer, or at least you used to be, until all your crops failed in a blight that swept the countryside.
All around you, fields are choked by stinking, rotten potato vines destroyed by disease. Hunger is gnawing at your stomach, but your primary concern is your children, who haven't had a decent meal in weeks. You clutch your two-year-old daughter to your thin chest while your older children try to keep up, shuffling along the road. Their blank eyes terrify you.
You hear wagon wheels draw nearer, and you raise your eyes in hope. Some of your neighbors, just as desperate as you, begin to gather, blocking the narrow road, as three wagons roll toward you, covered in thick canvas sheets and guarded by six British soldiers with rifles. They roll to a stop, and a commander steps forward. You're blocking an official transport carrying the goods of Her Majesty.
Clear the road! But no one moves, and you step forward tentatively. Sir, may we know what is in the wagons? Commander fixes a harsh gaze in your direction. Ma'am, this is an official convoy and that is all you need to know. As I said, clear the road. Oh, sir, have mercy on us. Our field is just over that hill, and it's now also where my husband is buried. We've had no harvest this year or last.
No!
Then suddenly, the man lunges toward the wagon and tears at the canvas. But a soldier swiftly hits him in the head with his rifle, knocking him to the ground. As he falls, the canvas slips from the wagon, revealing a bed full of grain, vegetables, and oats. Oh, sir, please, these wagons, they could feed us all, keep our children alive. You stop there. Anyone else moves and we will use force.
This cargo is going to the port. But we're starving here, in front of you. You only have yourselves to blame. Blame us all you want, but you have the power to save us. From the port, all this food will cross the ocean, won't it? To Liverpool, yes, and then to the markets in England, as it should. You step closer, holding your frail daughter up for the officer to see. Just a basket, sir.
Just for the children, I beg you. When the man sees the child in your arms, his eyes soften, but then his jaw clenches with resolve. No, ma'am, but you may try the next convoy. By then we will all be dead. I pray that won't be the case. He glances at you one last time, then pushes you aside as the wagons begin to move forward again.
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