Historically Evil Prisons That Make Alcatraz Look Like A Five Star Hotel

The HMS Jersey

Photo Credit: Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images

Built in 1736, the HMS Jersey was best known for housing prisoners during the American Revolutionary War. Harbored in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and was famous for its harsh condition towards the prisoners on the ship.

Nicknamed “Hell at Sea” because of its very high death rate, the HMS Jersey would hold up to 1,100 prisoners at a time for a ship that was designed to max out at 400 sailors. They figure about 8,000 prisoners died on the ship throughout the war from overcrowding, disease, and heat exhaustion.

Senator John McCain knows this prison just ahead all too well, but how much do you know about it?