In 1847, he took passage in one of the infamous "coffin ships" that transported Irish emigrants fleeing the Great Famine to British North America and the United States, wanting to see for himself the horrendous conditions that were leading to the deaths of so many of these passengers. As a witness, his with his cousin Vere Foster took a similar passage to New York in 1850.
In 1847, he traveled on one of the infamous "coffin ships" that carried Irish emigrants fleeing the Great Famine to British North America and the United States, with the intention of witnessing the harsh conditions firsthand. He made a similar journey to New York in 1850 as a witness, accompanied by his cousin Vere Foster.