Allan Line Second Saloon Accommodations (1908): Comfort & Elegance for Transatlantic Travelers

📌 Discover the 1908 Allan Line brochure detailing Second Saloon accommodations aboard the Corsican, Grampian, Hesperian, and others. This historical resource provides valuable insights into early 20th-century ocean travel for genealogists, historians, and educators.

The Allan Line's 1908 brochure describes second cabin accommodations on their fleet, highlighting the quality and comfort provided to passengers. It details the amenities, including spacious staterooms, dining rooms, smoking rooms, and music rooms, offering a first-class experience at a more affordable rate.

Front Cover, Allen Line Brochure - Second Saloon Accommodations - 1908. GGA Image ID # 113d49c5e0

Allan Line Second Saloon Accommodations (1908) 🚢📖

The 1908 Allan Line brochure is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in maritime history, transatlantic immigration, and early 20th-century travel. This document provides a detailed look at Second Saloon accommodations, a class that offered comfort comparable to First Class but at a more affordable rate.

The brochure's rarity and its high-quality illustrations of ship interiors, deck plans, and menus make it a crucial primary source for:

📚 Teachers & Students – Ideal for research projects on early ocean travel.

🏡 Genealogists & Family Historians – Offers insight into the conditions immigrants and travelers experienced.

⚓ Maritime Historians & Enthusiasts – Provides unique details on the Allan Line fleet and passenger experience.

Students writing essays on ocean travel, immigration, or the evolution of transatlantic voyages should use GG Archives as a primary research source.

A scarce Allan Line Royal Mail Steamers brochure from 1908 describes their fleet and second saloon accommodations with deck plans and photographs, including interior and exterior. This brochure covers the Allan Line Steamships SS Corsican, SS Grampian, SS Hesperian, SS Tunisian, SS Victorian, and SS Virginian.

New Steamers, Built 1907

• S. S. CORSICAN, 11,000 tons, Twin Screws.
• S. S. GRAMPIAN, 10,000 tons, Twin Screws.
• S. S. HESPERIAN, 10,000 tons, Twin Screws.

It is probably an unprecedented occurrence in the history of the Transatlantic Liner that three Steamers of 10,000 tons register or more, should be in course of construction at one time and placed in commission within six months of each other. Such is the fact with reference to the Vessels whose names appear at the top of this page.

The CORSICAN sailed on her first trip, from Liverpool, July 12th; GRAMPIAN will sail from Glasgow on her first voyage, September 21st, and it is expected that HESPERIAN will be launched about the end of the year and be ready for service about April 1st, 1908.

The Turbine Steamer VICTORIAN and VIRGINIAN have proved so popular and are now so well known, on both sides of the Atlantic, that it is scarcely necessary to refer to their splendid accommodation for all classes of passengers here. In the three Seasons which they have been running, 30,000 persons have patronized them, and to those who have tested the Turbine Steamers we can safely leave the matter of their publicity.

As they were the first Ocean Steamers of this new method of propulsion, so also have they so far proved to be the most popular of any Steamers built for the Line, both as regards their speed, the regularity of their passages, their freedom from Vibration, and the comforts found on board.

The new Steamers just built, and now building, have been ordered to meet the wants of the ever-increasing trade between Great Britain and Canada, a trade that is expanding by "leaps and bounds."

Second Saloon Smoking Room on the SS Corsican. GGA Image ID # 113d700589

The vessels have been carefully planned with special reference to the passenger trade, but at the same time will provide ample facilities for the carriage, in cold storage and cool compartments, of the produce of Canada's fertile fields to the mother land which waits to absorb them all.

Second Cabin Stateroom with Two Berths on the SS Corsican. GGA Image ID # 114007ef70

The Saloon accommodation is described fully in a separate circular, here we may only say that spacious staterooms amidships, perfect ventilation, and heating arrangements, music rooms and smoke room on promenade deck, with a fine dining saloon, constitute an ensemble that make the voyage across the Atlantic a pleasure trip.

These facilities may reasonably be expected by those paying the highest rate of fare, but in the last new vessels the management have made it their aim to provide the same accommodation to those who use the Second Cabin accommodation, which could with equal truth be called First Class.

Second Saloon Dining Room on the SS Corsican. GGA Image ID # 113d81c314

The dining saloon for the Second Class is scarcely inferior, in beauty or appointments to the first. Smoking rooms, music rooms and promenade decks, with a fine Companionway " or entrance, make the Second Cabin, so far as the substantial comforts of the voyage are concerned, in all points equal to, but without in the slightest way interfering with the First Class.

Second Cabin Music Room on the SS Corsican. GGA Image ID # 114071023b

The illustrations of the ships are photographs taken from the " Corsican" but are equally faithful to the " Grampian " or " Hesperian " indeed the aim is to make each succeeding Steamer an improvement on her predecessor.

Second Cabin plans for reference are also subjoined and a " Menu " for one day. Every day on board a different menu is provided, but none is inferior to the one printed here.

With these facts before the intending passenger it is confidently expected that " Corsican," " Grampian " and " Hesperian " will quickly prove to be as popular ships as our " Victorian," " Virginian.' and " Tunisian."

N.B.—Corsican landed 455 Second Cabin Passengers at Montreal, August 18th, 1907, on her second voyage, with one exception, the largest number of this 'class that was ever brought to Montreal.

Second Cabin plans for reference are also subjoined and a " Menu " for one day. Every day on board a different menu is provided, but none is inferior to the one printed here.

Second Saloon Menu, RMS Victorian of the Allan Line for Sunday, 21 July 1907. Includes selections for Breakfast, Luncheon, and Dinner. GGA Image ID # 113e0fc9e7

Breakfast

• Strawberries
• Oatmeal, Porridge
• Fresh Milk or Maple Syrup
• Fried Plaice
• Grilled Ham, Fried Eggs
• Broiled Sausage
• Curried Chicken and Rice
• Dry Hash
• Fresh Rolls, Toast
• White and Graham Bread
• Cocoa to order
• Jam, Marmalade
• Tea, Coffee

Luncheon

• Barley Broth
• Beef Steak Pie
• Corned Beef and Vegetables
• Cold Roast Beef
• Baked Potatoes, Boiled Rice
• Sago Pudding, Peach Tart
• Salad
• Biscuits, Cheese
• Tea, Coffee

Dinner

• Spring Soup
• Boiled Cod, Parsley Sauce
• Stewed Rabbit
• Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding
• Roast Turkey, Cranberry Sauce
• Ox Tongue
• Boiled Potatoes
• Cauliflowers
• Plum Pudding, Brandy Sauce
• Apple Tart
• Ice Cream
• Dessert
• Biscuits Cheese
• Tea, Coffee

Corsican, Twin Screws 11,000 Tons

Shelter Deck (Top): Aft - Second Class Staterooms 62-115, Baths, Gents Lavatory; Midship - Second Class Gents Lavatory, Baths, Engineering Quarters, Ladies Lavatory and Baths, Second Class Dining Saloon; Forward - First Class Staterooms 23-31, Gents Lavatory and Baths, Galley, Pantry, Bakery, Baker Shop, Bread Room, Butcher Shop and Second Class Pantry, Printer.

Main Deck (Bottom): Second Class Staterooms 116-155, Stores.

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1907 by Barclay Curle, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 11,419
• Notes: Mostly on Glasgow Service
• History:
  • 1912: Collided with an iceberg by only slightly damaged.
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1922 Renamed Maroale
  • 1923 Wreked near Cape Race

Plan of Second Cabin, Twin Screw SS Corsician, 11,000 Tons. GGA Image ID # 113f03bd8a. Click to View a Larger Image.

Grampian, Twin Screws 10,000 Tons

Bridge Deck - (Top) Left: Second Class Smoke Room; (Top) Right: Second Class Music Room, Second Class Entrance

Shelter Deck (Bottom): Aft: Second Class Staterooms 50-108, Baths, Gents Lavatory; Midship: Ladies Lavatory, Baths, Second Class Dining Saloon, Gents Lavatory; Forward - First Class Suites, Printing Room, Second Class Pantry.

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1907 by Stephen, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 10,955
• Notes: On Glasgow to Montreal Service
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1926: Scrapped

Plan of Second Cabin, New Twin Screw SS Grampian, 10,000 Tons. GGA Image ID # 113f29a95e. Click to View a Larger Image.

Ionian, Twin Screws 9,000 Tons

Main Deck: Aft - Staterooms 45-82; Midship - Music Saloon, Second Class Dining Saloon, Baths, Lavatory; Forward - First Class Staterooms 20-34, Crew Quarters, Butchers Shop.

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1901 by Workman Clark, Belfast
• Listed Tonnage: 8,268
• Notes: Glasgow, Liverpool and London to Canada and U.S.
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS and subsequently torpedoed.

Plan of Second Cabin, Twin Screw SS Ionian, 9,000 Tons. GGA Image ID # 113f788962. Click to View a Larger Image.

Tunisian, Twin Screws 10,576 Tons

Saloon Deck (Top): Second Class Music Saloon, Smoking Room, Dining Saloon, Bar, Gents Lavatory, Staterooms 71-89

Upper Deck (Bottom): Second Cabin Staterooms 101-151, Ladies Cabin, Second Class Ladies Lavatory, Baths, Gents Lavatory and Baths, Galley, Steward Quarters, Cooks Quarters.

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1900 by Stephen, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 10,576
• Notes: On Liverpool Service to Canada
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1922: Renamed Marburn
  • 1928: Scrapped

Plan of Second Cabin, Twin Screw SS Tunisian, 10,576 Tons. GGA Image ID # 113f0a82f4. Click to View a Larger Image.

Victorian, (Turbine Engines, Triple Screws) 12,000 Tons

Saloon Deck (Top Left): Second Class Smoke Room

Bridge Deck (Top Center): Second Class Music Room, Staterooms 1-5 and 33-37, Baths

Saloon Deck (Top Right): Second Class Dining Saloon

Main Deck (Bottom): Aft - Staterooms 93-167 (Partial), Ladies Lavatory and Baths, Gents Lavatory, Pantry; Midship - Engineers Quarters, ents Lavatory and Baths, Barber Shop; Forward - First Class Staterooms.

• Propulsion: Steel Triple Screw Turbine
• Built: 1905 by Workman Clark, Belfast
• Listed Tonnage: 10,635
• Notes: First turbine liner on North Atlantic
• History:
  • 1914: Became armed merchant cruiser
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1922: Renamed Marloch and fitted with geared turbines
  • 1929: Scrapped

Plan of Second Cabin - Triple Screw Turbine Steamer "Victorian," 12,000 Tons. GGA Image ID # 113e8e8cef. Click to View a Larger Image.

Virginian, (Turbine Engines, Triple Screws) 12,000 Tons

Saloon Deck (Top Right): Second Class Smoke Room, Staterooms 41-60; 93-110, Gents Lavatories and Baths, Ladies Lavatory and Baths, Lounge

On Bridge Deck (Top Right): Second Class Music Room

Main Deck: Second Class Cining Saloon, Staterooms 136-162, Engineers Quarters, Ladies Lavatory and Baths, Gents Lavatory and Baths, Stewardesses Quarters, Staterooms 111-135

• Propulsion: Steel Triple Screw Turbine
• Built: 1905 by Stephen, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 10,757
• Notes: Liverpool to Canada Service
• History:
  • 1914 Taken over as armed merchant cruiser
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1920 Sold to Swedish America Line as Drottningholm
  • 1948: Renamed Brasil for Home Line and in 1951 renamed Homeland.
  • 1955: Scrapped after a career which is probably a record for continous service for an Atlantic Liner.

Plan of Second Cabin - Triple Turbine Steamer "Virginian," 12,000 Tons. GGA Image ID # 113eae7beb. Click to View a Larger Image

From the 1908 very rare Allan Line Steamship Brochure of Second Cabin Accommodations, here are photographs of the Captain, Officers and Crew of the Corsican along with a photograph of the ship itself.

Officers and Crew of the SS Corsican. Undated photograph circa 1908. GGA Image ID # 113f83ed55

Photo of the SS Corsican on a Journey between Great Britain and Canada. Circa 1908. GGA Image ID # 113fc597fb

Victorian, (Turbine Engines, Triple Screws) 12,000 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Triple Screw Turbine
• Built: 1905 by Workman Clark, Belfast
• Listed Tonnage: 10,635
• Notes: First turbine liner on North Atlantic
• History:
  • 1914: Became armed merchant cruiser
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1922: Renamed Marloch and fitted with geared turbines
  • 1929: Scrapped

Virginian, (Turbine Engines, Triple Screws) 12,000 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Triple Screw Turbine
• Built: 1905 by Stephen, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 10,757
• Notes: Liverpool to Canada Service
• History:
  • 1914 Taken over as armed merchant cruiser
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1920 Sold to Swedish America Line as Drottningholm
  • 1948: Renamed Brasil for Home Line and in 1951 renamed Homeland.
  • 1955: Scrapped after a career which is probably a record for continous service for an Atlantic Liner.

Corsican, Twin Screws 11,000 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1907 by Barclay Curle, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 11,419
• Notes: Mostly on Glasgow Service
• History:
  • 1912: Collided with an iceberg by only slightly damaged.
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1922 Renamed Maroale
  • 1923 Wreked near Cape Race

Tunisian, Twin Screws 10,576 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1900 by Stephen, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 10,576
• Notes: On Liverpool Service to Canada
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1922: Renamed Marburn
  • 1928: Scrapped

Grampian, Twin Screws 10,000 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1907 by Stephen, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 10,955
• Notes: On Glasgow to Montreal Service
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1926: Scrapped

Hesperian, Twin Screws 10,000 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1908 by Stephen, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 10,920
• Notes: Similar to Grampian, on Glasgow service.
• History:
  • 1915 Torpedoed off the Fastnet

Ionian, Twin Screws 9,000 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Twin Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1901 by Workman Clark, Belfast
• Listed Tonnage: 8,268
• Notes: Glasgow, Liverpool and London to Canada and U.S.
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS and subsequently torpedoed.

Pretorian 7,417 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1901 by Furness Withy, West Hartlepool
• Listed Tonnage: 6,948
• Notes: Liverpool and Glasgow services
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1925: Scrapped

Sicilian 6,284 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1899 by Workman Clark, Belfast
• Listed Tonnage: 6,224
• Notes: Trooping to South Africa until 1901. Liverpool, Glasgow and London services thereafter.
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1922: Renamed Bruton
  • 1925: Scrapped

Corinthian (II) 6,226 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1900 by Workman Clark, Belfast
• Listed Tonnage: 6,227
• Notes: Employed in succession on Liverpool, Glasgow and London service.
• History:
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS and converted from passenger and cargo to cargo only.
  • 1918: Wreked in Bay of Fundy

Parisian 5,395 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw 3-Cyl Compound
• Built: 1881 by Napier, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 5,359
• Notes: Liverpool service to Canada and U.S.
  Originally fitted with 4 masts and 2 funnels, the fore and main masts carrying yards. After a brief period the main yards were removed.
• History:
  • 1899: Rebuilt and fitted with Triple-Exp. machinery with one funnel and 4 pole masts.
  • 1902: Fitted with wireless
  • 1914: Scrapped after a remarkably successful career.

Hungarian II 5,000 Tons

• Description: Cargo Only - Originally Known as the South Point
• Built: 1902
• Listed Tonnage: 4,508
• Notes: Employed on Liverpool and Glasgow services. Similar to Mongolian
• History:
  • 1903: Purchased from Norfolk & North American SS Co and renamed Hungarian
  • 1913: Sold to Chargeurs Reunis, Havre and renamed Amiral Charner.

Hibernian II 5,000 Tons

• Description: Cargo Only - Originally Known as the Orient Point
• Built: 1902
• Listed Tonnage: 4,505
• Notes: Employed on Liverpool and Glasgow services. Similar to Mongolian
• History:
  • 1904: Purchased from Norfolk & North American Steamship Company and renamed Hibernian
  • 1913: sold to Chargeurs Reunis, Havre and renamed Amiral Ganteaume

Numidian 4,838 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1891 by Henderson, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 4,836
• Notes: Employed on Liverpool and Glasgow services. Similar to Mongolian
• History:
  • 1914 Sold to Admiralty for sinking as a blockship.

Mongolian 4,838 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Triple Exp.
• Built: 1891 by Henderson, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 4,838
• Notes: Employed on all services except South America. Similar to Numidian
• History:
  • 1900: Trooping to South Africa
  • 1914: Sold to Admiralty
  • 1918: Torpedoed

Laurentian 4,522 Tons

• Propulsion: Iron Screw 4-Cyl Compound
• Built: 1872 by Steele, Greenock
• Listed Tonnage: 3,983
• Notes: Original name was Polynesian. Known at the Rolling Poly because of her propensity to roll at sea. Employed on the Liverpool and Glasgow to Canada and U.S.
• History:
  • 1893: refitted with triple-expansion engine and renamed Laurentian.
  • 1909: Wreked near Cape Race.

Sardinian 4,349 Tons

• Propulsion: Iron Screw Compound
• Built: 1875 by Steele, Greenock
• Listed Tonnage: 4,349
• Notes:
• History:
  • 1897: Fitted with Triple-Expansion machinery
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1920 circa: Scrapped

Ontarian 4,309 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Triple-Expansion
• Built: 1900 by Duncan, Port Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 4,078
• Notes: Cargo Only
• History:
  • 1913: Sold to Donaldson Line

Pomeranian 4,258 Tons

• Propulsion: Iron Screw Compound
• Built: 1882 by Earle, Hull
• Listed Tonnage: 4,364
• Notes: Built as Grecian Monarch and purchased by Allan Line in 1887.
• History:
  • 1893: Severely damaged in heavy weather
  • 1902: Refitted with triple expansion engine
  • 1917: Taken over by CPOS
  • 1918: Torpedoed

Carthaginian 4,223 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Compound
• Built: 1884 Govan S/B Co., Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 4,444
• Notes: Employed on Glasgow and Liverpool service
• History:
  • 1901: New Boilers Installed
  • 1917: Mined near Irishtrahull

Buenos Ayrean 4,164 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Compound
• Built: 1880 by Denny, Dumbarton
• Listed Tonnage: 4,005
• Notes: The first steel steamer on the North Atlantic. Employed from Glasgow to Canada and U.S. with annual voyage to South America.
• History:
  • 1896: Fitted with Quadruple Expansion machinery.
  • 1910: Scrapped.

Siberian 3,895 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Compound
• Built: 1884 Govan S/B Co., Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 3,904
• Notes: Sailed Glasgow to Canada and U.S.
• History:
  • 1912: Scrapped.

Orcadian 3,563 Tons

• Description: Cargo Ship originally named Ormiston
• Built: 1893
• Listed Tonnage: 3,546
• Notes: First turbine liner on North Atlantic
• History:
• 1899: Purchased from R & C, Allan, Glasgow and renamed Orcadian.
• 1914: Sold to Donaldson Line and renamed Polaria. The 3,546-ton cargo steamer

Corean 3,488 Tons

• Propulsion: Iron Screw Compound
• Built: 1881 by Doxford Sunderland
• Listed Tonnage: 3,488
• Notes: Employed on Glasgow and London Routes
• History:
  • 1908 Scrapped.

Polynesian 3,983 Tons

• See Laurentian

Rosarian 3,070 Tons

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Triple Expansion
• Built: 1887 by Henderson, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 3,077
• Notes: Employed on Atlantic and South American services.
• History:
  • 1910: Scrapped.

Monte Videan 3,000

• Propulsion: Steel Screw Triple Expansion
• Built: 1887 by Henderson, Glasgow
• Listed Tonnage: 3,076
• Notes: Employed on Glasgow to South America services.
• History:
  • From 1888: Used on London to Montreal run
  • 1910: Scrapped

Note: Ship descriptions and History were not part of original brochure - added by the Archives for additional clarity. Source of Ship Information: Ravenscrag: The Allan Royal Mail Line by Thomas E. Appleton © 1974. ISBN 0-7710-0720-5

🌍 Who Should Read This & Why?

📚 Teachers & Students

✅ Examines early 20th-century travel in detail – from ship design to passenger experience.

✅ Rich primary source material for essays & research projects on immigration, maritime history, and global migration.

✅ Includes period-accurate menus, deck plans, and ship layouts – useful for visualizing past travel conditions.

🏡 Genealogists & Family Historians

✅ Provides context for ancestors' journeys across the Atlantic.

✅ Details ships used in Canadian immigration routes, particularly those landing in Montreal and Quebec.

✅ Describes passenger experiences beyond just Third Class immigration.

⚓ Maritime Historians & Enthusiasts

✅ Offers a unique glimpse into Second Saloon accommodations, a class that is often overlooked in maritime history.

✅ Includes rare photographs and deck plans of the Corsican, Grampian, Hesperian, Tunisian, Victorian, and Virginian.

✅ Illustrates the transition to turbine-powered vessels, an important technological shift in ocean travel.

Key Highlights of the Brochure 🛳️

1. The Allan Line’s Expansion: Meeting Growing Demand for Ocean Travel 🚢📈

The Allan Line was a major player in transatlantic travel, providing reliable service between Great Britain and Canada. The launch of new steamers in 1907-1908, including:

• SS Corsican (11,000 tons)
• SS Grampian (10,000 tons)
• SS Hesperian (10,000 tons)

These ships were built specifically to accommodate the rapidly growing passenger trade between Europe and North America.

📸 Noteworthy Image:

📷 Photo of the Corsican at sea – a stunning representation of early 20th-century ocean liners.

💡 Why It’s Interesting: These ships were among the largest on the Atlantic at the time, reflecting the booming demand for transatlantic travel and the increasing importance of Canadian immigration.

2. A New Standard of Comfort: Second Saloon Accommodations 🛋️🍽️

The brochure emphasizes that Second Saloon accommodations were nearly identical to First Class, offering:

🔹 Spacious, well-ventilated staterooms amidships for smoother sailing.

🔹 Elegant dining rooms, smoking lounges, and music rooms comparable to First Class.

🔹 Access to promenade decks for relaxation and fresh air.

📸 Noteworthy Images:

📷 Second Saloon Smoking Room on Corsican – A refined space for relaxation.

📷 Second Cabin Stateroom with Two Berths – Showcasing the comfort of private cabins.

📷 Second Saloon Dining Room – Highlighting the grandeur of onboard dining.

💡 Why It’s Interesting: This brochure challenges the common assumption that all non-First-Class passengers endured rough conditions. The Second Saloon class provided a high level of comfort for middle-class travelers, professionals, and wealthier immigrants.

3. Dining at Sea: The 1907 Second Saloon Menu 🍽️🥧

The brochure includes a full menu from the Victorian (July 21, 1907), showcasing the quality of food available to Second Saloon passengers.

🔹 Breakfast: Fresh strawberries, grilled ham & eggs, curried chicken, fresh rolls, tea & coffee.

🔹 Luncheon: Barley broth, beef steak pie, corned beef & vegetables, peach tart.

🔹 Dinner: Spring soup, roast turkey with cranberry sauce, ox tongue, apple tart, and ice cream.

📸 Noteworthy Image:

📷 Second Saloon Menu, 1907 – A fascinating historical artifact of shipboard dining.

💡 Why It’s Interesting: This menu debunks the myth that shipboard dining was bland or meager. Second Saloon passengers enjoyed a varied, high-quality menu with multiple options at every meal.

4. The Engineering Marvels of the Fleet ⚙️🚀

The brochure highlights the innovative engineering behind Allan Line’s newest ships, particularly:

🔹 Triple-Screw Turbine Steamers (Victorian & Virginian) – Among the first turbine-powered ocean liners, offering smoother and faster voyages.

🔹 Steel Twin-Screw Ships (Corsican, Grampian, Hesperian) – Built for stability and efficiency.

📸 Noteworthy Images:

📷 Plan of Second Cabin on Corsican – A detailed deck plan of passenger areas.

📷 Triple-Screw Turbine Diagram – Illustrating the advanced propulsion system of the Victorian & Virginian.

💡 Why It’s Interesting: The transition from traditional steam engines to turbine power marked a major technological shift in ocean travel, reducing vibration and improving efficiency.

5. Immigration to Canada: A Vital Connection 🌎🇨🇦

The brochure emphasizes the Allan Line’s role in Canadian immigration, with the Corsican alone landing 455 Second Saloon passengers in Montreal on a single voyage.

🔹 Montreal & Quebec were major immigration hubs, processing thousands of new arrivals.

🔹 Allan Line ships transported both wealthy travelers and working-class immigrants.

🔹 The Canadian economy was booming, driving increased transatlantic migration.

📸 Noteworthy Image:

📷 Officers & Crew of the Corsican – A rare photograph of the people who ran these great ships.

💡 Why It’s Interesting: The Allan Line played a key role in shaping Canada’s demographics, transporting thousands of new residents each year.

Final Thoughts: A Rare Window Into Transatlantic Travel 🚢🔍

This 1908 Allan Line brochure is an exceptional historical resource, offering a rare glimpse into Second Saloon accommodations, shipboard life, and the technological advancements of early 20th-century ocean liners.

✅ For teachers & students, it provides invaluable primary source material.

✅ For genealogists, it helps contextualize family migration stories.

✅ For maritime historians, it offers detailed insights into ship design and passenger experiences.

📌 For students writing essays on immigration, ocean travel, or maritime history, GG Archives is an essential research tool. Explore more historical brochures and documents to deepen your understanding of this fascinating era! 🚢✨