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History
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The Boy with 18 Names: A Story of Hope Aboard an Irish Famine Ship
Amid the horrors of the Irish Famine, the ship Jeanie Johnston had a perfect safety record. On one voyage, a baby was born and given 18 names by the passengers and crew—a powerful symbol of community and hope in a time of despair. This is the story of Nicholas Johnston Reilly.
During the darkest days of the Great Irish Famine, the sea offered the only escape for millions. But the journey itself was fraught with peril. The vessels that carried the desperate and starving were so often overcrowded and disease-ridden that they earned a grim nickname: 'coffin ships'. On these voyages, death was a common passenger. Yet, in this bleak chapter of history, one ship stands out as a remarkable beacon of hope: the Jeanie Johnston.
A Ship of Hope in a Time of Despair
Unlike its contemporaries, the Jeanie Johnston never lost a single passenger or crew member to disease or the sea on any of its 16 transatlantic voyages. This incredible record was no accident. The ship's captain, James Attridge, and its resident physician, Dr. Richard Blennerhassett, maintained a standard of care that was almost unheard of. Passengers were given regular access to the deck for fresh air, the sleeping quarters were kept clean and ventilated, and Dr. Blennerhassett's medical expertise ensured that illness was contained and treated. The ship was a testament to the humanity of its owners, captain, and crew.
The Birth of Nicholas Johnston Reilly
It was on a voyage from Tralee to Quebec in 1849 that the ship's most famous story unfolded. A passenger, Margaret Reilly, gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The birth of a child is always a joyous occasion, but on a ship filled with people who had escaped starvation and were sailing toward a new life, it was a profound symbol of survival and new beginnings. The passengers and crew were so moved that they decided to celebrate in a unique way: by giving the child a name. Or rather, eighteen of them.
What's in 18 Names?
The baby was christened with a name so long it tells the story of the entire community that welcomed him into the world. His full name was:
Nicholas Johnston C Atchridge Richard Blennerhassett Donovan Hope Richard Owen Webb Sturge James Scally John Grubb Lister Holinsworth Pim Reilly
Each name was a tribute. 'Johnston' for the ship that carried them to safety. 'James Attridge' for the capable captain. 'Richard Blennerhassett' for the caring doctor. 'Donovan' for the ship's owners. Other names belonged to esteemed crew members, fellow passengers, and even prominent Quaker philanthropists like James Pim and John Grubb, who were instrumental in famine relief efforts. The boy's name became a living monument to the solidarity and gratitude felt by everyone on board.
A Legacy of Humanity
The extraordinary story of Nicholas Johnston Reilly and the ship he was born on serves as a powerful reminder that even in the most desperate of times, compassion and community can prevail. It's a narrative that stands in stark contrast to the overwhelming tragedy of the Famine, highlighting a single, brilliant instance of hope at sea. Today, a faithful replica of the Jeanie Johnston is moored in Dublin, serving as a floating museum. It continues to tell the tale of its incredible safety record and the boy with 18 names—a legacy of life in an era defined by death.