Why did so many colonists perish on British prison ships?

Many colonists perished on British prison ships due to overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of adequate food and clean water, and exposure to harsh conditions. Diseases such as smallpox, dysentery, and typhus spread rapidly in the cramped quarters, leading to high mortality rates. Additionally, the neglect by British authorities and the brutal treatment of prisoners contributed to the suffering and death of many incarcerated colonists.