Others, who had never been on a ship before, were seasick for the first few days. Once they got used to the rolling of the decks, they settled down to a long and uneventful voyage.

The days were passed sitting in armchairs in the lounge, playing cards and dominoes, or strolling on the decks. At mealtimes, the West Indians were introduced to the bland British diet of meat and overcooked vegetables. They talked about what their new lives might hold. Many said that they planned to spend just five years in Britain, long enough to earn money and learn a skilled trade, and then return home.

In the evenings there was entertainment, with parties put on by the calypso bands, with the songs of Lord Kitchener. The most exciting times were when the boxers on board held matches. Among the passengers were several skilled fighters who hoped to make their fortunes in the ring.

Interviewed by the BBC in 1998, for the 50th anniversary of the voyage, Windrush passenger Oswald “Columbus” Dennison recalled, “It was jolly on the ship… Jamaican people are happy-go-lucky people. When you have more than six, you have a party!”

As the ship made its way up the Thames, several stowaways who had been hiding below deck jumped over the side and swam towards the shore. At last, at 7am on June 22, 1948, the ship finally docked in Tilbury. The early morning sky was overcast and, although it was mid-June, the Jamaicans felt cold.

Oswald “Columbus” Dennison tells his story on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/116061.stm