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Joe Biden’s Great Great Grandfather, Owen Finnegan, left Ireland on “The Brothers” a Newry owned ship 10 April 1849, landing in New York 31 May 1849.
Like many inhabitants of the Cooley Peninsula, Owen Finnegan and later his family made the journey to Newry to book and pay their passage to Francis Carvill owner of “The Brothers” which sailed from the Albert Basin located where the Quays Shopping Centre now stands.
The Finnegan’s were most likely influenced in their choice of vessel by the reputation of Carvill who was said to have never lost a single passenger on any of his ships carrying economic emigrants fleeing the Great Irish Famine. Based in The Albert Basin in Newry, the Carvill fleet sailed along then Newry Ship Canal through the Victoria Locks stopping at Warrenpoint to pick up passengers from South Down, then out into Carlingford Lough, the Irish Sea and eventually the wild Atlantic where the journey to New York could have taken anything up to 12 weeks depending on wind conditions.
Owen Finnegan’s wife and family followed him to the New World arriving 15 May 1850. Their son James Finnegan married Catherine Roche and, in time, their son Ambrose Finnegan married Geraldine Blewitt , the Ballina Connection. It was their daughter Jean Finnegan who married Joseph Biden Snr, Joe's father.
Francis Carvill
Ship owner Francis Carvill, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist built ships on the middle bank in Newry. He was also one of Ireland’s largest spade manufacturers noted in his life time as being “generous of heart and hand”. The booking of passages was conducted at his headquarters situated where the Canal Court Hotel now stands. The Ulster Historical Circle has honoured the spot with a Blue Plaque.
John Carvill, youngest son of Francis Carvill, became President of the Newry Chamber of Commerce in 1900.
Newry in 1849
Newry was a thriving town with a population of around 15,000 in 1849, and with daily departures of small ships for Liverpool 120 miles away, carrying agricultural produce, timber, leather, linen and Mourne granite, the inland port had long been important. It stands on the River Clanrye, 15 miles from the sea ... with its magnificent surrounding countryside.
The Brothers Ship
The "Brothers" made the first of her ten Famine voyages early in 1846. The local newspaper, the "Newry Telegraph," advertised all through February.
The Advert said about The “Brothers”. This well-known favorite Packet Ship is Coppered and Copper-fastened, and will sail for the above Port on WEDNESDAY, 10th May. She will proceed to Sea on her appointment day. The Owner will have her comfortably Berthed, and the same attention paid to the Passengers as formerly, which proved so fortunate last year in his Ships. No Fever or Sickness on Board. Plenty of Good Water and Breadstuffs will be put on Board, agreeable to Act of Parliament. A few Cabin Passengers will be taken at a Moderate Rate of Passage. For Freight and Rate of Passage - apply at once to FRANCIS CARVILL, 32, MERCHANT'S-QUAY
* CORRECTION 11/4/23 Title changed from Ancestors to Ancestor as only Owen travelled on that Newry Ship, other family members followed a year later.
