SS Commonwealth 1921: A British Family’s Steerage-Class Journey to Australia – Immigration Contract & Travel Conditions

📌 Discover a rare 1921 steerage-class passage contract for a British family migrating to Australia aboard the SS Commonwealth. This document highlights migration trends, maritime regulations, and the economic realities of early 20th-century ocean travel. Essential for genealogists, historians, and educators. 🚢

Third Class (Steerage) Passage Contract for The Stevens Family of Four sailing on the P. & O. Line SS Commonwealth on 18 August 1921 from the Port of London to Melbourne, Australia. From the Bill Stevens Collection. GGA Image ID # 1fa48f32ad

Summary of Passage Contract

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 18 August 1921
• Steamship Line: Peninsular & Oriental Line
• Steamship: SS Commonwealth
• Route: London to Melbourne
• Ticket Type: Passage Contract
• Voyage Class: Third Class (Steerage)
• Name on Contract: Mr. Gollie William Stevens and Family
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): British or Australian
• Contract Terms: Transcribed
• Cost of Ticket: £94 15s 0d / £4,298.00 GBP in 2020

Details of Passage Contract

No. 114 P. & 0. BRANCH SERVICE
To AUSTRALIA via THE CAPE,
32, LIME. STREET, LONDON, E.C.3.
THIRD CLASS (Steerage) PASSENGERS' CONTRACT TICKET.

1.—A Contract Ticket in this form must be given to every Person engaging a Passage as a Third Class (steerage) Passenger in any Ship proceeding from the British Islands to any Port out of Europe, and not within the Mediterranean Sea, immediately on the payment or deposit by such Third Class (steerage) Passenger of the whole or any part of the Passage Money,- for or- in respect of the Passage engaged.

2. —The Victualling Scale for the Voyage must be printed in the body of the Ticket.

3.—All the Blanks must be correctly filled in, and the Ticket must be printed in plain and legible characters, and legibly signed with the Christian Names and Surname and Address in foolproof the person who issues it.

4.—The day of the Month on which the Third Class (steerage) Passengers are to embark must be inserted in Words, and not in figures.

5.--When once issued, this ticket must not be withdrawn from the Passenger, nor any alteration, addition, or erasure made in it.

6.—This Ticket is not transferable.

7.—A Contract Ticket shall not contain on the face thereof any condition, stipulation, or exception not contained in this Form.

The P. & 0. Branch Service Steam Ship "COMMONWEALTH," of 7,000 tons register, to take in Passengers at the Port of LONDON for AUSTRALIA on the day of 19, engage that the person named in the margin shall be provided with a Third Class (Steerage) Passage to, and shall be landed at, the Port of MELBOURNE in AUSTRALIA in the Steam Ship "COMMONWEALTH" with not less than Fifteen Cubic Feet for Luggage for each Statute Adult, and shall be victualled during the voyage and the time of detention at any place before its termination, according to the subjoined Scale, for the sum of £ 94-15-0 including Government Dues before embarkation, and Head Money, if any, at the place of landing, and every other charge, except Freight, for excess of Luggage beyond the quantity above specified, and I hereby acknowledge to have received the some of £ 92-12-6 in full / part payment. The luggage carried under this engagement, whether in excess of Fifteen cubic feet or not, shall be deemed to be of a value not exceeding £10, unless the value in excess of that sum be declared and paid for.

The ship shall have liberty to comply with any orders or directions as to departure, arrival, routes, ports of call, stoppages or otherwise howsoever given by His Majesty's Government or any Department thereof, or any person acting or purporting to act with the authority of His Majesty, or of His Majesty's Government, or of any Department thereof, or by any Committee or person having, under the terms of the War Risks' Insurance on the ship, the right to give such orders or directions, and if by reason of and in compliance with any such orders or directions anything is done or is not done the same shall not be deemed a deviation.

Passengers' Full Christian and Surnames and Ages

• Mr. Gollie William Stevens, 43
• Mrs. Gemmell Elizabeth Stevens, 35
• Campbell James Stevens, 4 (Note 1)
• Goldie Doublas Stevens, 2 (Note 1)
• Total Number of Persons: Four

Note 1: Equal to 1/2 Statute Adults

Berth No. 115/116 Four-Berth Cabin ("C" Grade Rate); 161 Four-Berth Cabin ("B" Grade Rate.)

The following Quantities, at least, of Water and Provisions will be supplied the Master of the Ship, as required by Law, viz.; To each Statute Adult four quarts of Water daily, exclusive of what is necessary for cooking any Article issued under this scale.

Provisions, Weekly, per Statute Adult. ( Lbs. Oz.)

• Beef or pork, or partly one and partly the other : 2 4
• Preserved meat : 1 0
• Suet : 0 6
• Butter : 0 4
• Bread or biscuit not inferior in quality to Navy Biscuit : 2 8
• Wheaten flour not inferior to best seconds : 3 8
• Oatmeal, rice, and peas, or any two of them : 2 0
• Potatoes : 2 0
• Raisins : 0 6
• Tea : 0 2
• Sugar : 1 0
• Salt : 0 2
• Mustard : 0 1/2
• Pepper, black or white, ground .. O 1/4
• Dried or compressed vegetables .. O 8
• Vinegar or mixed pickles .. 1 Gill

Bedding, Cabin and Table requisites provided by the Ship.

On behalf of the P. & 0. Branch Service,

FREDERICK WHITE,

per /s/ A. R. Maylott

32, Lime Street, London, E.C.3.

12 Aug 1921

Deposit ... £ 92-12-6

Balance ... £ 2-2-6 be paid at 32, Lime Street, London, E.C. 3, three days prior to embarkation

Total ... £ 94-15-0 Received Balance £ 2-2-6 for FREDERICK WHITE, /s/ A. R Maylolt

2nd Portion of Return Ticket /s/ Cisfer Alexander 5/6 No. 619 18/8/1921

NOTICE TO PASSENGERS

1.-If Passengers, through no default of their own, are not received on board on the day named in their Contract Tickets, or fail to obtain a passage in the Ship, they should apply to the Emigration Officer at the Port, who will assist in obtaining redress under the Merchant Shipping Acts.

2.—Passengers should carefully keep this part of their Contract Ticket till after the end of the Voyage.

N.B.—This Contract Ticket is exempt from Stamp Duty.

(SEE BACK).

Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value

In 2020, the relative value of £94 15s 0d from 1921 ranges from £4,298.00 to £41,140.00.

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is £4,298.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying £94.75 by the percentage increase in the RPI from 1921 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 £94 15s 0d Commodity in 1921 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real price of that commodity is £4,298.00
• labour value of that commodity is £15,180.00
• income value of that commodity is £26,970.00
• economic share of that commodity is £41,140.00

If you want to compare the value of a £94 15s 0d Income or Wealth, in 1921 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is £4,298.00
• labour earnings of that income or wealth is £15,180.00
• relative income value of that income or wealth is £26,970.00
• relative output value of that income or wealth is £41,140.00

If you want to compare the value of a £94 15s 0d Project in 1921 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real cost of that project is £4,385.00
• labour cost of that project is £15,180.00
• economic cost of that project is £41,140.00

Source: https://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/ukcompare/

🚢 The Journey to Australia: SS Commonwealth Passage Contract (1921) 🌍

The SS Commonwealth Passage Contract, dated 18 August 1921, provides a remarkable window into the migration experience of British and Australian families during the early 20th century. As part of the Peninsular & Oriental Line’s service to Australia, this Third-Class (Steerage) contract represents the economic realities, legal stipulations, and travel conditions faced by emigrants traveling from London to Melbourne.

This contract is a vital resource for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, shedding light on British emigration trends, maritime regulations, and the cost of passage in the aftermath of World War I. The Stevens family's voyage aboard the SS Commonwealth was not just a journey—it was a transformative migration story, reflective of the broader movement of families seeking opportunities in Australia.

📜 Key Themes & Takeaways

1️⃣ The Economic & Logistical Realities of Steerage Travel

The third-class accommodations on the SS Commonwealth were basic yet structured, ensuring a regulated experience for emigrants.

Ticket price: £94 15s 0d—equivalent to £4,298 in 2020—a significant investment for working-class families.

Baggage limitations, contractual conditions, and meal provisions highlight the stringent regulations placed on steerage passengers.

2️⃣ The Australian Migration Boom of the 1920s 🇦🇺

British citizens were encouraged to migrate to Australia through government-assisted passage schemes.

The SS Commonwealth’s route via the Cape of Good Hope reflects the logistical challenges of long-haul voyages in the early 20th century.

The contract’s detailed provisions illustrate the importance of maritime labor migration in postwar recovery.

3️⃣ The Importance of Steamship Companies in Global Migration 🌏

The Peninsular & Oriental Line (P&O) was one of the most prestigious maritime carriers, shaping British-Australian migration routes.

The contract outlines legal stipulations under the Merchant Shipping Act, ensuring passenger rights and regulatory compliance.

The meal rations, including weekly allowances of beef, potatoes, and tea, demonstrate the structured provisions for passengers during long voyages.

4️⃣ Family Migration: A New Beginning for the Stevens Family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Gollie William Stevens, his wife Gemmell, and their two young children embarked on a life-changing journey to Australia.

The ticket details specify cabin assignments (Berth No. 115/116 & 161), emphasizing the structured nature of steerage travel.

Steerage was a financial compromise, offering affordable travel but with limited comforts, as seen in contract clauses regarding baggage limits, berth sharing, and food allocations.

📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Importance

1️⃣ Third Class (Steerage) Passage Contract for The Stevens Family (1921)

📜 A rare migration document detailing the exact terms, costs, and regulations for British emigrants sailing to Australia. The contract offers an authentic, legal perspective on early 20th-century maritime travel.

2️⃣ SS Commonwealth of the P&O Line: A Colonial Migration Vessel

🛳️ One of the key ships facilitating British migration to Australia. This ship played a crucial role in post-war migration efforts, ensuring thousands of families relocated successfully.

🌍 Why This Document Matters for Historians, Educators & Genealogists

🔎 For Historians

🔹 Illustrates early 20th-century British-Australian migration policies.

🔹 Details contractual obligations for steamship passengers under British maritime law.

🔹 Provides insight into post-WWI migration trends, particularly government-assisted passages.

🧬 For Genealogists

🔹 A vital record for tracing British-Australian ancestry, connecting departures, ticket records, and ship manifests.

🔹 Links families to migration waves, offering insight into relocation decisions and travel conditions.

🔹 Connects to Australian immigration records, providing details on passenger arrivals and settlement histories.

📚 For Educators & Students

🔹 An engaging primary source that brings early migration experiences to life.

🔹 Explains economic barriers to migration, illustrating how families financed their journeys.

🔹 Encourages discussions on travel conditions, maritime labor laws, and colonial expansion.

🏆 Final Thoughts: A Journey of Hope & Opportunity

The SS Commonwealth Passage Contract (1921) is more than just a legal document—it is a testament to the human experience of migration. For the Stevens family, this journey marked a new beginning in Australia, part of a larger wave of British migration.

For researchers, educators, and history enthusiasts, this document offers a tangible connection to the past, revealing the financial, legal, and logistical aspects of steerage-class travel. It reminds us of the sacrifices and aspirations of those who sought a better future across the seas. 🌊🚢✨