RMS Lucania Passage Contract - 1895: A German Immigrant’s Journey to America

📌 Explore an 1895 Steerage Passage Contract for German immigrant Heinrich Hermes, documenting his journey from Rotterdam to New York via Liverpool aboard Cunard’s RMS Lucania. This rare historical document offers insight into 19th-century transatlantic immigration, steerage-class travel, and the financial realities of migration—a must-read for historians, genealogists, and ocean travel enthusiasts!

1895 Dutch Steerage Passage Contract on the RMS Lucania of the Cunard Line for a German Immigrant. The Voyage Took Him from Rotterdam to New York via Liverpool. GGA Image ID # 14794e9d82

Passage Contract Summary

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 29 May 1895
• Steamship Line: Cunard Line
• Steamship: RMS Lucania
• Route: Rotterdam to New York via Liverpool
• Ticket Type: Passage Contract
• Voyage Class: Steerage
• Name on Contract: Heinrich Hermes
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): German
• Contract Terms: Translated from German
• Cost of Ticket: M. 100 or about $23.62 in 1899 USD / $751.00 in 2020 USD

Image of original document

Indications of early attempts at repair probably circa 1930s. Document reinforced but not repaired by the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives using Acid Free paper tape. (Reverse side is Blank)

This is the original steamship contract for passage for a German Immigrant, Heinrich Hermes, a 21 year-old laborer who undertook the voyage in steerage.

Interims-Billet

B. Karlsberg & Co., von Maaskade 20 Rotterdam

English Translation of Dutch Contract written in German

Ticket of B. Karlsberg & Co, etc.

First and Family Name: Heinrich Hermes

Age: 21

To New York

The price for voyage across the ocean for 1 Adult at M. 100 (the standard currency for the Netherlands at this time would have been the Gilder. The Symbol "M." imprinted on the contract probably referred to German Marks)

Total M. 100

This preserved as a source of money [Literal Translation]: M. 100 (about $23.62 in 1899 US Dollars)

The Best Passage: M. Nothing is 2 days before departure to pay (The amount due).

Travelling from Rotterdam on the 29th of May 1895 via Liverpool on a fast steamer of the Cunard Line

Rotterdam, this 29/5 1895

B.Karlsberg & Co.

Requests for reductions of the money paid passage are not taken into consideration.

Original Dutch Text

Vor- und Familienname: Heinrich Hermes

Alter: 21

Nach New York, County __ State ___

Bedungener Ueberfahrtspreis

Oceanfahrt: 1 Erwachsene à M 100

Total M. 100

Heirauf erhalten als Handgeld: 100

Die Bestpassage M Nichts ist 2 Tage vor der Abfahrt zu zahlen.

Abfahrt von Rotterdam am 29 Mai 1895 via Liverpool pr. Post-Dampfer der Cunard Line.

Rotterdam, den 29/5 1895

B. Karlsberg & Co.

Maaskade No. 20

Rotterdam.

Reclamationen wagen Rückgabe des eingezahlten Passagegeldes finden keine Berücksichtigung.

Information about Passenger Heinrich Hermes:

Heinrich Hermes, 21, of Germany arrived in New York on 8 June 1895 aboard the Cunard Steamship Lucania (for the Liverpool to New York via Queenstown portion of his journey.) He was processed as an immigrant through Ellis Island. He was a Laborer and his intended destination was New York. - From Ships Manifest Line 0149.

• Name: Heinrich Hermes
• Arrival Date: 8 June 1895
• Birth Year: about 1874
• Age: 21
• Gender: Male
• Ethnicity/Race/Nationality: German
• Port of Departure: Liverpool, England
• Port of Arrival: New York, New York
• Ship Name: Lucania

Source Citation

Year: 1895; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Line: 24; Page Number: 4

Original data:

Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls. NAI: 6256867. Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36. National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957. Microfilm Publication T715, 8892 rolls. NAI: 300346. Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Supplemental Manifests of Alien Passengers and Crew Members Who Arrived on Vessels at New York, New York, Who Were Inspected for Admission, and Related Index, compiled 1887-1952. Microfilm Publication A3461, 21 rolls. NAI: 3887372. RG 85, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Index to Alien Crewmen Who Were Discharged or Who Deserted at New York, New York, May 1917-Nov. 1957. Microfilm Publication A3417. NAI: 4497925. National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Passenger Lists, 1962-1972, and Crew Lists, 1943-1972, of Vessels Arriving at Oswego, New York. Microfilm Publication A3426. NAI: 4441521. National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Henrich Carl Hermes Ancestry

• Name: Heinrich Carl Hermes
• Gender: Male
• Baptism Age: 0
• Birth Date: 20. Aug 1873 (20 Aug 1873)
• Baptism Date: 31. Aug 1873 (31 Aug 1873)
• Baptism Place: Evangelisch, Werden, Rheinland, Prussia
• Residence Place: Werden, Rheinland, Preußen, Germany
• Father: Wilhelm Hermes
• Mother: Elisabeth Noelken

FHL Film Number: 490145

Original data: Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value

In 2020, the relative values of $23.62 from 1895 ranges from $656.00 to $31,300.00.

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is $751.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying $23.62 by the percentage increase in the CPI from 1895 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 $23.62 Commodity in 1895 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real price of that commodity is $751.00
• labor value of that commodity is $4,110.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $6,100.00 (using production worker compensation)
• income value of that commodity is $6,650.00
• economic share of that commodity is $31,300.00

If you want to compare the value of a $23.62 Income or Wealth, in 1895 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is $751.00
• relative labor earnings of that commodity are $4,110.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $6,100.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative income value of that income or wealth is $6,650.00
• relative output value of that income or wealth is $31,300.00

If you want to compare the value of a $23.62 Project in 1895 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real cost of that project is $656.00
• labor cost of that project is $4,110.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $6,100.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative cost of that project is $6,650.00
• economy cost of that project is $31,300.00

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.

🚢 RMS Lucania Passage Contract - 1895: A Glimpse into German Immigration to America 🇩🇪➡️🇺🇸

🌍 A Critical Historical Document on Ocean Travel and Immigration

This 1895 Steerage Passage Contract for Heinrich Hermes aboard the RMS Lucania of the Cunard Line provides an authentic look into late 19th-century transatlantic migration. As a German immigrant, Heinrich’s journey from Rotterdam to New York via Liverpool represents the millions of Europeans who crossed the Atlantic in search of a better life.

📜 For historians and genealogists, this document is a valuable resource that reveals the logistics of steerage travel, ticket pricing, and immigration records.

🎓 For teachers and students, it serves as a primary source for understanding transatlantic migration, the conditions of steerage class, and the economic realities of immigration.

🧬 For family historians, it offers a direct link to passenger manifests, ancestry records, and the financial sacrifices made by immigrants.

📜 Key Highlights of the Passage Contract

📅 Date of Purchase: 29 May 1895

🚢 Steamship Line: Cunard Line

🛳 Steamship: RMS Lucania

🌍 Route: Rotterdam ➡ Liverpool ➡ New York

🎟️ Ticket Type: Passage Contract

💰 Cost of Ticket: M. 100 (German Marks) or $23.62 in 1899 USD ($751 in 2020 USD)

👤 Passenger: Heinrich Hermes (Age 21)

🛏️ Voyage Class: Steerage (3rd Class)

📌 Interesting Fact: The ticket was purchased in Dutch currency but written in German, reflecting the multinational nature of European emigration agencies.

🛤️ The Journey - From Germany to the United States

📍 Step 1: Departure from Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam was a major departure hub for European immigrants, particularly Germans and Eastern Europeans, due to its direct connections to major Atlantic steamship lines.

📍 Step 2: Rail Transfer to Liverpool, England

Many European emigrants traveled by train from Rotterdam to Liverpool, where they boarded steamers for the Atlantic crossing. Liverpool was one of the busiest immigrant departure ports in the world.

📍 Step 3: Transatlantic Voyage on RMS Lucania

The RMS Lucania, launched in 1893, was one of the most advanced Cunard steamships of the time. Although luxurious for first-class passengers, steerage accommodations were basic, with cramped conditions and limited amenities.

📍 Step 4: Arrival in New York (8 June 1895)

Upon arrival, Heinrich was processed as an immigrant through Ellis Island, where medical and legal inspections determined whether he could enter the United States.

📍 Step 5: Settling in America

Like many German immigrants, Heinrich likely headed to a city with a strong German community, such as New York, Pennsylvania, or the Midwest, where he could find work and begin his new life.

📜 Terms & Conditions of the Contract - Challenges of Steerage Travel

🔹 Non-Refundable Ticket - The contract explicitly states that no refunds were given, regardless of personal circumstances.

🔹 Prepaid Ticket System - Immigrants often relied on family or sponsors in the U.S. to prepay their passage.

🔹 Rail & Ocean Transport Combined - The ticket covered train travel to Liverpool and ocean travel to New York, but not food or accommodations while in transit.

🔹 Strict Immigration Rules - If an immigrant misrepresented their age or status, they could face extra fees or even be denied passage.

🔹 Harsh Conditions in Steerage - Steerage passengers had limited space, poor ventilation, and little privacy, making the journey physically and emotionally difficult.

📸 Noteworthy Images in the Collection

🖼 📜 Original Passage Contract - A rare and historically significant document, showing the details of Heinrich’s voyage.

🖼 📄 Reverse Side with Passenger Terms - Essential for understanding the financial and legal aspects of steerage-class travel.

📜 Passenger Arrival Record - A Genealogist’s Treasure Trove

📜 Passenger Record for Heinrich Hermes

✔️ Arrived in New York on 8 June 1895

✔️ Traveled aboard the RMS Lucania (Cunard Line)

✔️ Nationality: German

✔️ Age at Arrival: 21

✔️ Occupation: Laborer

For genealogists, this record provides direct links to ancestry research, helping descendants trace their family's journey to America.

💰 Cost of Passage in Today’s Money 💵

💰 1895 Cost: $23.62

💰 2020 Equivalent: $751 (basic purchasing power)

💰 Labor Value Comparison: $4,110 (based on unskilled wage)

💰 Relative Income Value: $6,650

💰 Economic Share Equivalent: $31,300

🚢 Conclusion: This was a major financial investment, often requiring sponsorship or years of savings.

📜 Why This Document Matters for Historians & Genealogists

🧭 For Historians - This contract provides insight into late 19th-century immigration policies, economic conditions, and steamship travel.

📜 For Genealogists - It serves as a direct link to immigration records, helping families trace ancestral migration paths.

🏫 For Teachers & Students - This document is an engaging primary source, bringing real-life immigrant stories into the classroom.

🌊 Final Thoughts - A Story of Determination & Hope 🚢

This steerage passage contract is not just a piece of paper—it represents the journey of millions of immigrants who braved the Atlantic in search of a better life.

For anyone researching German immigration, family ancestry, or 19th-century ocean travel, this document provides a compelling look into the past. 📜✨

Would you have endured the harsh conditions of steerage travel for a chance at the American Dream? 🤔🚢