Another great picture Mac. That was known as traveling in steerage. What you got was something that floated and would get you across the ocean (most of the time). What you paid was very little. The ship had better accommodations, but you had to pay more for them. Sorta like the difference between getting around New York City by taking a crowded subway as opposed to taking a taxi. The objective of these folks was to get across the ocean, the luxury cruises could wait for their grandchildren to take, many of whom ended up doing just that. In fact, many of these people's grandchildren did get to take trips back to the old country on ships like the Queen Mary, courtesy of Uncle Sammy, who even gave them a rifle to make sure that the welcome mat would be out for them. More seriously, these were the grandparents of the Greatest Generation. These are the people who taught them to be great.
By the way, the only way to get here cheaper was to ship as a deckhand and then jump ship when you got here. This was a method used by many younger men.
The above link has a little ship history for the Phoenicia. I also found that in addition to moving people the owner, The Allen Line (Steamships) , had the mail contracts between Britain & the US and Canada. They had a large fleet traversing the North Atlantic.
I've been researching the family of a friend and the name of your ship rang a bell for some reason. But, I can't put my finger on the connection. However, the Canadian mail runs and immigration to the US was an interesting connection to history. It explains why/how some entered through Canada and not just Ellis Island. Those ships were 'multi-taskers' back then, people, mail and freight.
Tight sleeping quarters.
There was a time...the journey to hope and a future was on those ships with the "tight sleeping quarters". Thank you for sharing the photo, Mac.
My pleasure, Neetu.
Great photo Mac. Well done as always.
Another great picture Mac. That was known as traveling in steerage. What you got was something that floated and would get you across the ocean (most of the time). What you paid was very little. The ship had better accommodations, but you had to pay more for them. Sorta like the difference between getting around New York City by taking a crowded subway as opposed to taking a taxi. The objective of these folks was to get across the ocean, the luxury cruises could wait for their grandchildren to take, many of whom ended up doing just that. In fact, many of these people's grandchildren did get to take trips back to the old country on ships like the Queen Mary, courtesy of Uncle Sammy, who even gave them a rifle to make sure that the welcome mat would be out for them. More seriously, these were the grandparents of the Greatest Generation. These are the people who taught them to be great.
By the way, the only way to get here cheaper was to ship as a deckhand and then jump ship when you got here. This was a method used by many younger men.
What an amazing piece of history. Well done Mac!
I've added another and there are others to come one or two are rather strange.
SS Phoenica, 1894 ( Source: Birnbaum Media )
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The above link has a little ship history for the Phoenicia. I also found that in addition to moving people the owner, The Allen Line (Steamships) , had the mail contracts between Britain & the US and Canada. They had a large fleet traversing the North Atlantic.
Cool pictures Mac, thanks for sharing them.
Thanks OM,
I love sharing these old pix and love it more that people like yourself add to the sharing.
I've been researching the family of a friend and the name of your ship rang a bell for some reason. But, I can't put my finger on the connection. However, the Canadian mail runs and immigration to the US was an interesting connection to history. It explains why/how some entered through Canada and not just Ellis Island. Those ships were 'multi-taskers' back then, people, mail and freight.