Voyage by Vessel
In the era preceding aviation, voyages by sea were the primary mode of transportation. As the 19th century drew to a close, a surge of emigrants embarked on epic journeys to the United States, setting sail for the Ellis Island port aboard ironclad steamships. These majestic transatlantic liners had the capacity to accommodate around 1900 individuals. The ship’s personnel constituted roughly 500 of the onboard populace, with the majority, approximately 1100, being steerage passengers. The remainder enjoyed the comparative luxury of ‘cabin class’.
Traveling in steerage was akin to navigating a labyrinth of discomforts – the air reeked with unpleasant odors, the constant din was nearly unbearable, privacy was a rare commodity, and the lack of proper ventilation made the atmosphere suffocating. On the flip side, first-class passengers were treated to a veritable feast of luxury. They reveled in the grandeur of opulent saloons, ballrooms that pulsated with life and energy, and dining experiences that set the gold standard in gastronomic indulgence.