The Mission of the Jamestown
When:
Monday, Mar 27, 2017 6:00p -
7:00p
Monday, Mar 27, 2017 6:00p -
7:00p
Where:
Massachusetts Historical Society
1154 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
Event website:
www.masshist.org/calendar
As news of the Irish Famine made its way across the Atlantic, the citizens of Boston rallied to help. In 1847, a relief mission was organized and authorized by Congress, allowing the Secretary of the Navy to place two Naval ships—the Jamestown from Boston and the Macedonian from NYC—under civilian command to bring relief to Ireland. Capt. Robert Bennet Forbes, the head of Russell and Co, the largest American trading house in China, led the mission from Boston. He mobilized the city's citizens and merchants and amassed tons of food relief. William Fowler, guest curator for The Irish Atlantic, will discuss the relief efforts of the Jamestown on the eve of the 170th anniversary of its voyage.
