SNIPPET: Per author Edward LAXTON's gripping book, "The Famine Ships" (NY/1996), on the first day aboard the "Washington" 900 passengers lined up on deck to receive their water ration of six pints each, as prescribed by law. Thirty filled up their cans at the barrels when suddenly the ship's mate who was supervising the operation ordered: 'That's all, no more.' Bewildered, 870 Irish emigrants turned away empty-handed and dry-mouthed until a few hours later when they were again called out for their water allowance. This time, 30 received water before the rest were again turned away and roughly herded back to their steerage accommodation by brutal and abusive mates who kicked and cursed the passengers without provocation. As it turned out, water was not the only commodity in drastic short supply on board the "Washington." She left Liverpool on October 27, 1850, bound for NY on what would become an infamous voyage. For, by a stroke of luck, an enterprising passenger, Vere FOSTER, kept a diary of events which he later published on his return to Ireland, provoking a public outcry and debate in Parliament. The "Washington" was one of the 18 big, fast packet ships operated by the Black Star Line, whose vessels from Liverpool carried emigrants of many nationalities: German, Polish, Russian, Scandinavian but in the main Irish and especially the slightly better-off Irish who could afford a cabin. At 200 feet long and with a wide beam, the "Washington" was quite spacious, compared to the much smaller English and Irish-owned converted cargo ships. Even in steerage, passengers could enjoy considerably more comfort as these American packets were built exclusively for the passenger trade, and their crews were generally superior. Vere FOSTER was a rich, well-connected and well-intentioned philanthropist who took a special interest in the plight of the Irish emigrants. He had already helped several reach America by paying their fares. Concerned about bad reports of emigrant travel, he resolved to discover for himself the quality of life aboard a Famine ship. On board the "Washington," he kept a meticulous diary of events which he sent, with a letter, to his relation, Lord HOBART, a minister at the Board of Trade in London .... On receiving this report in London, Lord HOBART immediately raised the matter in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, provoking a flurry of mail between civil servants, MPs, the Chief Emigration Officer in Liverpool, the British Consul in New York and American lawyers. Despite similar reports of injustice, only three previous complaints had been formally lodged during 1850, and none against an American master. When the 'Washington' returned to Liverpool, Captain PAGE was challenged but he denied all allegations. In the absence of evidence, it was impossible to take the matter any further under British law, for a British court had limited jurisdiction over acts done at sea on a foreign ship. Everyone expressed their regret that FOSTER and the other passengers had not taken proceedings to New York. Though FOSTER had campaigned valiantly, and taken positive steps to reform practices on board emigrant ships, the political and legal climate was unhelpful. Famine emigrants continued to suffer at the hands of corrupt captains, owners or agents. Prosecutions were rare and when made, were often quashed in the absence of evidence. Yet, on returning to Ireland, FOSTER did manage to publish a helpful guidebook for emigrants. Entitled 'Emigrants' Guide,' it offered many useful tips for surviving on board and on shore.