LesB.

1. It would take about thirty days to cross the Atlantic westbound, but ships rarely went direct to New Orleans without calling in to other ports, so it could be much longer than say fifty days. By the 1860's most would be a combination of steam and sail.

2. Entered into the ships log the birth would give the child's nationality as of the parents, but the child could claim birth in the country the ship was registered to.

3. It was common practise to bury the dead at sea, but if a person was wealthy the family might have the body preserved aboard if the means were available. Births and deaths at sea would be registered in the ships log and authorities notified on docking at the first port of call.