SS Arundel Castle (1904): British Settlers’ Journey to South Africa on the Union-Castle Line
📌 Explore a rare 1904 steerage-class passage contract from Southampton to Cape Town aboard the SS Arundel Castle. Follow the journey of British migrants Wm. G. Parker & Herbert Kerr, learn about Union-Castle Line’s role in British imperial expansion, and uncover historical insights on early transatlantic migration. Essential for historians, genealogists, and maritime enthusiasts!
The Counterpart of Passenger's Contract Ticket No. 48799, SS Arundel Castle of the Union-Castle Line, Southampton to Cape Town, 8 October 1904. GGA Image ID # 1f9d58cea7
Passage Record Summary
- Date of Purchase / Voyage: 8 October 1904
- Steamship Line: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, Limited
- Steamship: RMS Arundel Castle
- Route: Southampton to Capetown
- Ticket Type: Passage Record
- Voyage Class: Steerage
- Name on Contract: Wm. G. Parker and Herbert Kerr
- Etnicity of Passenger(s): British or South African
- Contract Terms: Limited
- Cost of Ticket: £ 33 : 12s : 0d / £3,701.00 GBP in 2020
Passage Record Content
The Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, Limited.
DONALD CURRIE & CO., Managers.
Steamship Arundel Castle
COUNTERPART OF PASSENGER'S CONTRACT TICKET.
No. 48799
This part of the Contract Ticket is to be separated from the other and is to be delivered by the passenger to the Emigration Officer, at the Pert of Embarkation (or if no such Officer, to the Officer of Customs), or to any one appointed by him to receive it, under a Penalty not exceeding £10.
Content Ticket
We engage that the Persons mentioned below shall be provided wit a STEERAGE Passage to, and be landed at the Port of Cape Town in the Steamship Arundel Castle of -- Tons, with not less than 20 Cubic Feet for Luggage for each Statute Adult, and shall be victualled during the whole Voyage according to the Dietary Scale prescribed by Law. The Ship to receive her Passengers in LONDON on the -- and at SOUTHAMPTON on the eighth day of October 1904
Passage Money, including Government Dues, if any, and all Charges of Landing,
£ 33 : 12 : 0
NAMES
Wm. G. Parker Age 34
Herbert Kerr Age 32
Two Souls, equal to Two Statute Adults.
For DONALD CURRIE & CO., Managers of THE UNION-CASTLE MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED.
To be signed in full by the Party issuing the Ticket.
* Insert Number of Souls and of Statute Adults respectively.
Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value
In 2020, the relative value of £33 12s 0d from 1904 ranges from £3,701.00 to £37,610.00.
A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is £3,701.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying £33.60 by the percentage increase in the RPI from 1904 to 2020.
This may not be the best answer.
The best measure of the relative value over time depends on if you are interested in comparing the cost or value of a Commodity, Income or Wealth, or a Project . For more discussion on how to pick the best measure, consult the Tutorials.
If you want to compare the value of a £33 12s 0d Commodity in 1904 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real price of that commodity is £3,701.00
- labour value of that commodity is £13,770.00
- income value of that commodity is £22,110.00
- economic share of that commodity is £37,610.00
If you want to compare the value of a £33 12s 0d Income or Wealth, in 1904 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is £3,701.00
- labour earnings of that income or wealth is £13,770.00
- relative income value of that income or wealth is £22,110.00
- relative output value of that income or wealth is £37,610.00
If you want to compare the value of a £33 12s 0d Project in 1904 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real cost of that project is £3,896.00
- labour cost of that project is £13,770.00
- economic cost of that project is £37,610.00
🚢 SS Arundel Castle (1904): A Voyage from Southampton to Cape Town 🌍
📜 Overview: A Passage to South Africa
This passage contract, issued on 8 October 1904, documents the journey of Wm. G. Parker and Herbert Kerr aboard the RMS Arundel Castle, a Union-Castle Line steamship traveling from Southampton, England, to Cape Town, South Africa. This contract provides a valuable historical record of British migration to South Africa during the height of British imperial expansion.
🌍 Why This Document Matters?
📖 For educators & students: This contract illustrates British migration patterns, the role of Union-Castle Line in colonial transportation, and the logistical aspects of long-distance ocean travel in the early 20th century.
🧬 For genealogists: This document provides specific names, ages, and details of passengers traveling to South Africa in 1904, making it a valuable resource for family historians.
📜 For historians: The contract highlights the importance of British-controlled shipping lines, which were essential for the movement of officials, settlers, and laborers across the empire.
🛳 For maritime enthusiasts: The Union-Castle Line was a key player in British maritime trade, operating regular mail and passenger services between England and South Africa.
📜 Key Details of the Passage Contract
📅 Date of Purchase: 8 October 1904
🚢 Steamship Line: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, Limited
🛳 Steamship: RMS Arundel Castle
🌍 Route: Southampton → Cape Town
🎟 Ticket Type: Passage Contract
💰 Cost of Ticket: £33 : 12s : 0d (~£3,701 in 2020 GBP)
🛏 Voyage Class: Steerage
👤 Passengers:
✔️ Wm. G. Parker (34 years old)
✔️ Herbert Kerr (32 years old)
📌 Interesting Fact: The Union-Castle Line played a crucial role in transporting settlers, military personnel, and businesspeople between Britain and its African colonies, making it a vital link in British imperial administration.
🛳 The Journey: An Imperial Migration Route
🌍 South Africa in 1904:
✔️ This period was just after the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), meaning many British settlers were traveling to Cape Town and beyond for economic opportunities.
✔️ The British government encouraged migration to South Africa, especially for administrators, merchants, and military personnel.
✔️ Many steerage-class passengers were workers seeking employment in South Africa's mines, railroads, or commercial enterprises.
📍 Route Details:
✔️ Departed Southampton, England on 8 October 1904.
✔️ Arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, after a multi-week voyage.
📌 Did You Know? The Union-Castle Line ships were known for their distinctive lavender hulls and reliable weekly sailings to South Africa, making them the premier choice for British travelers heading to the Cape.
📜 The Conditions of Steerage Travel
⚓ Challenges of a Long Voyage in Steerage:
✔️ Cramped and basic accommodations, especially for single male passengers like Parker and Kerr.
✔️ Minimal privacy, with passengers housed in open dormitory-style areas.
✔️ Strict dietary rations, as outlined in the contract, ensured only basic sustenance for the voyage.
✔️ Limited medical care, meaning illnesses like dysentery, typhoid, or influenza could spread quickly.
📌 Interesting Fact: Unlike North Atlantic immigrant ships, passenger vessels to South Africa had fewer restrictions, as British settlers were often welcomed rather than scrutinized upon arrival.
📜 Refund Policies & Contract Conditions
🔹 If the passengers failed to use their tickets, they were subject to a penalty and could forfeit a portion of their fare.
🔹 The contract needed to be presented to emigration officers at Southampton before embarkation, ensuring proper documentation was recorded.
🔹 Cargo allowances were strictly limited—each adult was permitted only 20 cubic feet of luggage, reflecting the expectation that steerage-class travelers carried minimal belongings.
📌 Did You Know? The Union-Castle Line was responsible for transporting British soldiers during the Boer War, and by 1904, it had expanded its services to carry settlers, businessmen, and government officials.
📸 Noteworthy Images in the Collection
🖼 📜 The Original Passage Contract – A detailed document showcasing the conditions and terms of travel for two British migrants.
🖼 🚢 The RMS Arundel Castle – A classic Union-Castle liner that served on Britain’s colonial routes.
🖼 📄 Passenger Lists – Identifying Wm. G. Parker and Herbert Kerr among other British travelers to Cape Town.
💰 Cost of Passage: Then vs. Now
💰 1904 Ticket Price: £33 : 12s : 0d
💰 2020 Equivalent: £3,701 to £37,610 GBP
📌 Comparison with Today:
✔️ The steerage fare was significant, suggesting Parker and Kerr were not impoverished travelers but rather middle-class workers or administrators.
✔️ In today’s economy, this fare would be equivalent to a long-haul business-class airline ticket or a relocation package for overseas employment.
🔹 Conclusion: The cost of British migration to South Africa was substantial, indicating many travelers had stable employment or government backing.
🧬 Genealogical & Historical Value of This Document
📜 For Genealogists:
✅ Confirms specific migration records for Wm. G. Parker and Herbert Kerr.
✅ Identifies the exact date and ship name for their voyage.
✅ May link to census or employment records in South Africa.
🏫 For Teachers & Students:
✅ Shows how British migration to South Africa was formalized through contract tickets.
✅ Provides context for British imperial expansion and settler colonialism.
✅ Highlights the role of steamship companies in global migration.
📖 For Historians:
✅ Offers evidence of British economic migration to South Africa after the Anglo-Boer War.
✅ Sheds light on early 20th-century maritime transportation between Europe and Africa.
✅ Demonstrates how Union-Castle Line dominated the UK-South Africa passenger market.
🌊 Final Thoughts – The Legacy of British Migration to South Africa 🚢
This contract represents more than just a ticket—it symbolizes the movement of British citizens seeking new opportunities in South Africa. The SS Arundel Castle and Union-Castle Line played a crucial role in connecting Britain to its colonies, shaping the cultural, economic, and political landscape of South Africa.
Would you have embarked on a long sea voyage in 1904 for a new life in the British Empire? 🤔🇬🇧➡️🇿🇦
