SS Duilio Passage Contract (1931): Italian Migration to Argentina & The Realities of Third-Class Travel" 🇮🇹➡️🇦🇷

📌 Discover the SS Duilio Third-Class Passage Contract from 14 February 1931, documenting Italian migration from Genoa to Buenos Aires. This rare historical document offers insights into transatlantic immigration, travel conditions, ticketing policies, and economic challenges faced by immigrants. 🌍 An essential resource for genealogists, historians, and educators.

Navigazione Generale Italiana Third Class Passage Ticket for Passage on the SS Duilio, Departing from Genova for Buenos Aires Dated 14 February 1931. GGA Image ID # 1305b65aea

Summary of Passage Contract

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 14 February 1931 / 17 February 1931
• Steamship Line: Navigazione Generale Italiana
• Steamship: SS Duilio
• Route: Genova to Buenos Aires via Villafranca, Barcelona, Rio Janeiro, and Santos Montevideo
• Ticket Type: Passage Contract
• Voyage Class: Third Class
• Name on Contract: Illegible -- 25 year old Italian and 3 year old child
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): Italian
• Contract Terms: Partial translation of Italian
• Cost of Ticket: $129.42 / $2,200.00 USD in 2020

Passage Contract Details

Passage Ticket for a voyage on the SS Duilio of the NGI (Navigazione Generale Italiana) in third class from Genova to Buenos Aires dated 14 February 1931. Voyage ports of call included Villafranca, Barcelona, Rio Janeiro, and Santos Montevideo.

Società Riunite FLORIO, RUBATTINO e LLOYD ITALIAN
Società Anonima - Sede in Genova – Capitale Sociate Lit.600.000.000 – Versato Lit. 360.000.000 (C.C.I. Genova N. 800)

No. 021535 - UFFICIO PASSEGGlERI 3a  CLASSE (No. 219)

Biglietto d’Imbarco per No…..Posti di 3° Classe
Col Vapore di bandiera italiana: DUILIO
Che partira da : NAPOLI
Il : Feb. 17, 1931
Per : BUENOS AIRES
Toccando di scalo i Porti di: VILLAFRANCA, BARCELONA, RIO JANEIRO E SANTOS MONTEVIDEO
Durata del Viaggio: 14 giorni (comprese le fermate nel porti di scalo)

Translation:

Società Riunite FLORIO, RUBATTINO and LLOYD ITALIAN

Limited Company - Seat in Genoa - Share Capital Lit. 600.000.000 - Paid Lit. 360.000.000 (C.C.I. Genoa N. 800)

No. 021535 - PASSENGER OFFICE 3rd CLASS (No. 219)

Boarding Ticket for No ...... 3rd Class

Steamship With the Italian flag: DUILIO

Which will sail from: NAPLES

On: Feb. 17, 1931

For: BUENOS AIRES

Touching the ports of: VILLAFRANCA, BARCELONA, RIO JANEIRO AND SANTOS MONTEVIDEO
Travel Duration: 14 days (including stops in the ports of call)

Remainder to be paid in Naples: L.it. 112.50

Nolo provvisorio – con autorizzazione alia Società di riscuotere la differenza- in piu, se prima della partenza del P.fo l’On Commissariato, stabilisse un nolo superiore. La durata del viaggio verrà aumentata di un giorno per ogni scalo eventuale.

Nolo Lit. 2450 per ogni posto più Lit. 5 a testa tassa portuale e Lit.15 a posto diritto fisso bagaglio
II presente biglietto dà diritto all'imbarco gratuito di 100 Kg. di bagaglio, purche non superi il volume di mezzo metro cubo, ad ogni posto commerciale. L’eccedenza bagaglio e tassa in base alla tariffa approvata dal R. Commissariato.

DISTINTA
N.  posti a L.it. 2450
Totale L.it.
Acconto pagato al Rappresentante in ragione di L.it    per posto.

Rimanenza a pagarsi a Napoli: L.it. 112.50

Napoli, li 2 Feb., 1931

Translation:

Provisional hire - with the permission of the Company to collect the difference - in addition, if before the departure of the Office the Commissioner, established a superior freight. The duration of the trip will be increased by one day for each call.

Rental fee Lit. 2450 for each seat plus Lit. 5 per head port tax and Lit.15 per fixed baggage fee.

The present ticket entitles to free boarding of 100 Kg. Of baggage, provided that it does not exceed the volume of half a cubic meter, at each commercial place. The excess baggage and tax based on the rate approved by the Commissariat.

BILL

Number of seats to L.it. 2450
Total L.it.

Deposit paid to the Representative by reason of L.it per place.

Remainder to be paid in Naples: L.it. 112.50

Dated: Naples, 2 Feb., 1931

Terms and Conditions, Navigazione Generale Italiana Third Class Passage Ticket for Passage on the SS Duilio, Departing from Genova for Montevideo Dated 14 February 1931. GGA Image ID # 1305c97466. Click to View a Larger Image.

Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value

2470 Italian lira [1880-2015] in year 1931 could buy the same amount of consumer goods and services in Sweden as 129.4204223148394 US dollar [1791-2015] could buy in Sweden in year 1931. This comparison should be used if the purpose of the analysis is to compare absolute worth over time rather than relative worth. Historical Currency Converter

In 2020, the relative values of $129.42 from 1931 ranges from $1,810.00 to $34,900.00.

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is $2,200.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying $129.42 by the percentage increase in the CPI from 1931 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.

If you want to compare the value of a $129.42 Commodity in 1931 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real price of that commodity is $2,200.00
• real value in consumption of that commodity is $5,060.00
• labor value of that commodity is $7,470.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $8,210.00 (using production worker compensation)
• income value of that commodity is $13,100.00
• economic share of that commodity is $34,900.00

If you want to compare the value of a $129.42 Income or Wealth, in 1931 there are five choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is $2,200.00
• household purchasing power value of that income or wealth is $5,060.00
• relative labor earnings of that commodity are $7,470.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $8,210.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative income value of that income or wealth is $13,100.00
• relative output value of that income or wealth is $34,900.00

If you want to compare the value of a $129.42 Project in 1931 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real cost of that project is $1,810.00
• household cost of that project is $5,060.00
• labor cost of that project is $7,470.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $8,210.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative cost of that project is $13,100.00
• economy cost of that project is $34,900.00

Source: www.measuringworth.com Samuel H. Williamson, "Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 to present," MeasuringWorth, 2022.

🌍 Recap & Summary: SS Duilio Passage Contract - 14 February 1931 🚢📜

The SS Duilio Passage Contract (1931) provides an intriguing glimpse into transatlantic migration during the interwar period, particularly for Italian immigrants traveling to South America. Issued by Navigazione Generale Italiana, this third-class passage ticket details the financial, logistical, and contractual terms of a voyage from Genoa to Buenos Aires, with stops in Villafranca, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, and Montevideo.

🔎 This document is especially valuable for genealogists, historians, teachers, and students as it offers evidence of Italian migration to Argentina, one of the largest destinations for Italian immigrants in the early 20th century. It also serves as a key record for family historians seeking to trace ancestors who left Italy for new opportunities abroad.

🌟 Why This Passage Contract is Important

1️⃣ A Testament to Italian Immigration to South America 🇮🇹➡️🇦🇷

Between 1880 and 1930, over 2 million Italians immigrated to Argentina, making it one of the largest Italian diasporas in the world.

The SS Duilio, operated by Navigazione Generale Italiana, was a major carrier of Italian immigrants to South America.

This contract, issued for a 25-year-old Italian and a 3-year-old child, reflects the common migration pattern of young adults and families moving in search of economic opportunities.

2️⃣ Third-Class Travel: The Experience of Immigrant Passengers 🚢

Third-class accommodations were affordable but basic, offering crowded sleeping areas, communal dining, and limited privacy.

The ticket included a baggage allowance of 100 kg, which was strictly regulated, highlighting the logistical constraints of migration.

The terms and conditions detail strict refund policies, illustrating the financial burden on immigrants—if a passenger did not show up for departure, they forfeited the fare.

3️⃣ Financial & Economic Insights 💰

The ticket price of $129.42 (1931) equates to $2,200 in 2020 dollars, emphasizing the significant cost of migration for working-class travelers.

Additional charges, including port taxes and fixed baggage fees, illustrate the hidden costs of transatlantic travel.

The contract includes clauses allowing for fare adjustments before departure, showcasing economic uncertainty during the Great Depression.

📜 Featured Passage Contract Highlights

🔹 Ticket Details & Voyage Route

📌 Why It’s Interesting:

✅ The voyage took 14 days, stopping at Villafranca, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, and Montevideo, offering insights into historical shipping routes.

✅ Genoa and Naples were major departure points for Italian immigrants to Argentina.

✅ The ticket required a balance payment of L.112.50 in Naples, illustrating payment structures for transatlantic passage.

🔹 Stringent Travel & Refund Policies

📌 Why It’s Interesting:

✅ Passengers forfeited their fare if they failed to board, reflecting the financial risks of migration.

✅ The company had the right to modify departure dates, and passengers had no right to compensation if their voyage was delayed.

✅ Refunds for non-embarkation due to death were subject to Italian commercial law, highlighting the legal complexities of ocean travel.

🔹 Immigration & Quarantine Rules

📌 Why It’s Interesting:

✅ The contract allowed the captain to refuse passengers deemed unfit for travel.

✅ Passengers arriving in Buenos Aires could be subject to quarantine at their own expense, showcasing public health concerns surrounding immigration.

✅ Firearms were strictly prohibited, and passengers were required to surrender weapons to the captain upon boarding.

🔹 Financial Burdens of Migration

📌 Why It’s Interesting:

✅ In modern currency, the ticket’s value ranges from $2,200 to $34,900, depending on the economic comparison used.

✅ Prepaid passage was common, where relatives in Argentina or the U.S. sent money for family members to join them.

✅ The price of the voyage was subject to change before departure, highlighting the economic volatility of the early 1930s.

🖼️ Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

📸 SS Duilio Third-Class Passage Ticket – A Rare Italian Migration Document

This ticket is an invaluable primary source showcasing third-class transatlantic migration from Italy to Argentina.

The official seal of Navigazione Generale Italiana provides authenticity to this historical record.

The handwritten details of the passenger (partially illegible) make it a crucial genealogical artifact for researchers tracing Italian ancestry.

📸 Terms & Conditions – A Glimpse into Migration Policies

The detailed regulations regarding baggage, refunds, and shipboard conduct illustrate the strict control steamship companies had over immigrant travel.

Mentions of quarantine policies and port fees highlight the bureaucratic hurdles immigrants faced upon arrival.

🔍 Final Thoughts: Why This Document Matters

🌍 The SS Duilio Passage Contract is more than just a ticket—it is a window into the past, revealing the struggles, sacrifices, and resilience of Italian immigrants seeking new lives in Argentina.

📜 For historians, it highlights the role of steamship lines in global migration.

🧬 For genealogists, it serves as a crucial record for tracing Italian ancestry.

🏛️ For educators, it provides a primary source that brings immigration history to life.

🚢 Whether studying migration patterns, maritime policies, or family histories, this passage contract is a vital historical resource that sheds light on one of the largest Italian diasporas in the world. 🌟