The journey from Ireland or Liverpool to America lasted 4 to 8 weeks depending on the type of ship, the time of year and the weather conditions. Passengers were kept below deck for most of the journey, forced to sleep head to toe in bunk beds. Passengers were weak from hunger and therefore more likely to get ill in the cramped conditions. On average 1 in 7 passengers died during the Atlantic voyage, and famine ships soon became known as coffin ships.