Passage way: 19th century
As Mr. Fox said in his book, Transatlantic: Great American Steamships, steamships during the 19th century were a revolution of the sea, they
allowed for travel to be much faster during this time. Throughout the 19th century steamboats were becoming better and better as the years
went by. Now the boats had power and the ability to dodge icebergs and other obstacles, which allowed the trip across the Atlantic to go from 5 months to 5 weeks to 6 days (Fox, 2003). Between 1850 and 1920 passage fares could be around €4-€5 (around $200 at the time) though during fare wars immigrants could find passage for less than €2 (Keeling, 1998). These immigrants were leaving their countries because of poverty and economic troubles so what determined whether they could come to America was the ability of their family members to purchase their tickets. It must also be said that whether it was in the departure port or port of arrival some immigrants were scammed and tended to lose a lot if not all the many they had. For example some immigrants were sold invalid tickets to board a ship usually twice the amount of what a real ticket would have cost them (Santry).
allowed for travel to be much faster during this time. Throughout the 19th century steamboats were becoming better and better as the years
went by. Now the boats had power and the ability to dodge icebergs and other obstacles, which allowed the trip across the Atlantic to go from 5 months to 5 weeks to 6 days (Fox, 2003). Between 1850 and 1920 passage fares could be around €4-€5 (around $200 at the time) though during fare wars immigrants could find passage for less than €2 (Keeling, 1998). These immigrants were leaving their countries because of poverty and economic troubles so what determined whether they could come to America was the ability of their family members to purchase their tickets. It must also be said that whether it was in the departure port or port of arrival some immigrants were scammed and tended to lose a lot if not all the many they had. For example some immigrants were sold invalid tickets to board a ship usually twice the amount of what a real ticket would have cost them (Santry).
Once a passenger bought their tickets it depended on which class they boarded to determine what their conditions of travel would be. If these immigrants were lucky to be in first class they were treated lavishly and were given meals, water and were allowed fresh air above the ship (Santry), (Solem & Austheim) & (Pike, 2011). For second class passengers amenities were slightly less but they received daily amounts of food, that cost less, and had suitable rooms to stay in.
Though or most immigrants who were coming to America they traveled in “steerage”. Conditions in “steerage” in the late 1880s meant conditions were quite horrific where passengers would travel without much ventilation much less room. Passengers in “steerage” had to bring their own food and blankets and whatever else they might need, for it was not provided by the ship (Boyd). Conditions in steerage allowed for disease to run rampant among the passengers which meant hat many lives were lost, mostly infants, children and elderly tended to die while on the ship. As time progressed and mass immigration occurred travel became a bit better for third class passengers. Now they were given a section of the boat that was much more livable, though still crowded, and some ocean liners even gave them food or water. Other boats even separated the passengers by dividing the boat into three sections; one side was for single men, in the middle were married couples and families, and on the other side of the boat were single women. Some boats even had ventilation systems, which before the 1900s was something very few boats had and passengers had to stand the stench of vomit or scorching food spoiling above them in some cases (Solem & Austheim) & (Pike, 2011). |