SS Patria Passage Contract (1915) – A Transatlantic Journey Amidst World War I
📌 Explore a rare 1915 SS Patria passage contract detailing a third-class voyage from New York to Naples on the Fabre Line. This historical document sheds light on wartime ocean travel, legal stipulations, and passenger rights. A must-read for genealogists, historians, and educators studying transatlantic migration.🚢📜
Fabre Line Third Class Passage Contract for the SS Patria, Departing from New York to Naples Dated 2 August 1915. GGA Image ID # 15aeafb27c
Summary of Passage Contract
- Date of Purchase / Voyage: 2 September 1915
- Steamship Line: Aberdeen Line
- Steamship: SS Patria
- Route: Melbourne to London
- Ticket Type: Passage Contract
- Voyage Class: Third Class
- Name on Contract: Mr. W. G. Stevens and Family
- Etnicity of Passenger(s): Austrailian or British
- Contract Terms: Transcribed
- Cost of Ticket: Not Stated
Passage Contract Details
Ticket to be kept by Passenger
Compagnie Française de Navigation à Vapeur "Cyp.Fabre & Cie" (Fabre Line)
SS Patria (Homeland)
Net tonnage Tonn. 6,600 Gross 11,500. Speed 17 1/2 miles per hour. Trip in 10 1/2 days. including stops in the ports of call.
Venezia (Venice)
Net tonnage Tonn. 4203, Gross 6752. Speed 17 miles per hour. Travel in 12 days including stops at ports of call.
CANADA
Net tonnage Tonn. 5814, Gross 9350. Speed 17 miles per hour. Travel in 11 1/2 days including stops at ports of call.
MADONNA
Net tonnage Tonn. 3244.53, Gross 5551.13. Speed 1mile per hour. Travel in 12 days including stops at ports of call.
SANT'ANNA
Net tonnage Tonn. 5814, Gross 9350. Speed 17 5/8 miles per hour. Travel in 11 1/2 days including stops at ports of call.
PROVIDENCE
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
HO agency 2/8 1915
Boarding pass for 3rd class seats From New York to Naples
With the "Patria" French flag steam (size, speed and duration of the trip as above), departing on 2/9 1915, for Naples, and from Naples to Naples with transhipment. The transhipment will be carried out in Naples on local steam duly authorized by the Italian Government at Il Vapore _____ will touch the port of _______
NName and Surname of Passengers: Hickvich Miki???
US Revenue Tax of $3.00 Collected.
RENTAL of passage _____ Dollars for each commercial place. for JAMES W. ELWELL & CO., G. P. A. Agents
Important. Passengers must check in their baggage before boarding, collecting a specific receipt. THIS TICKET MUST BE STAMPED by the Company Officers on the Pier at the bottom of the 31st Street, South Brooklyn, NY, before boarding, and must be presented TWO HOURS before the departure of the steamer.
The following Stipulations are entered into by the passenger as part of this contract :
1. The steamer may tow and assist vessels in all situations, put back or into any port, and deviate from the direct and customary course. If the steamer shall be prevented by any cause from sailing or proceeding in the ordinary course, the passenger may, at the shipowner's expense, be forwarded to point of destination by any other vessel. Neither the ship, shipowner, nor the agent is responsible for loss of or injury to the passenger arising from the act of God, public enemies, lire, perils of the sea or river, or restraints of princes, rulers and peoples. Neither the ship, shipowner nor the agent is responsible beyond the amount of one hundied dollars for loss of or injury to the passenger's person arising from steam, latent defects in the steamer, her machinery, gear or fitting, robber ?, thieves, barratry, default or negligence of the shipowner's servants, whether on board the steamer or not, or from the negligence in navigation of any other vessel.
2. No suit shall be maintained against the Company for loss of or damage to baggage unless written notice of the claim, with full particulars thereof, be delivered to the Company at its office within five days after steamer'3 landing at port of arrival; nor for any injury to the person, unless claim be made in like manner within thirty days after such landing.
3. The responsibility of this Company under this contract shall continue only while the passenger and his baggage are on board the Company's transatlantic steamer or its steam tenders. Booking on connecting routes is for the passenger's convenience only. And carriage thereon is subject to the conditions imposed by each connecting railway or other transportation company.
4. This contract shall not bind this Company to carry any passenger suffering from any contagious or infectious disease, or whose presence may, in its option, be detrimental to the comfort or safety of other passengers, the ship or crew.
Fabre Line Third Class Passage Contract Terms for the SS Patria, Departing from New York to Naples Dated 2 August 1915. Law on Emigration, Rations During Journey, and Pasage Conditions. GGA Image ID # 15aeb4b43e
Law on Emigration (31st January 1901)
Living Ration Table Due to Emigrants
Passage Conditions
🛳️ Recap & Summary: SS Patria Passage Contract - 2 August 1915
The SS Patria Passage Contract, issued on 2 August 1915, offers a rare insight into transatlantic travel during World War I, specifically focusing on third-class passengers traveling from New York to Naples aboard a Fabre Line steamship. This document captures the logistical, economic, and legal conditions under which passengers traveled, making it a vital primary source for historians, genealogists, and educators studying early 20th-century migration patterns.
Unlike the traditional westward movement of immigrants, this contract highlights a lesser-documented eastbound journey, possibly of European expatriates, returning soldiers, or travelers heading back to war-torn Europe.
🌍 Why This Document Matters
🧭 Relevance to Ocean Travel & Migration History
A Glimpse into Wartime Ocean Travel 🚢⚔️
By 1915, World War I was in full swing, and many ocean liners were repurposed for wartime efforts or faced the dangers of U-boat attacks.
The Fabre Line, known for serving Mediterranean routes, continued to operate, reflecting the importance of maritime transportation despite global conflict.
Passengers aboard SS Patria may have included soldiers, wartime refugees, or expatriates returning home, giving a human dimension to wartime mobility.
A Unique Look at Reverse Migration ⬅️🌍
While most ocean travel research focuses on immigrants moving westward, this passage contract documents passengers traveling from America back to Europe, possibly for family reunification, business, or military service.
Genealogists can use such records to trace family members who temporarily migrated to the U.S. but later returned home.
Legal & Contractual Terms of Passage 📜⚖️
The contract outlines travel stipulations, including:
🔹 Passenger rights and responsibilities.
🔹 The shipowner's limited liability in case of war-related dangers.
🔹 The legal obligation to deny passage to those with infectious diseases.
These terms offer valuable insight into maritime law and passenger protections in the early 20th century.
The Economics of Ocean Travel 💰📊
🔹 The contract does not specify the exact ticket cost, but it provides details on ration allowances, onboard accommodations, and extra fees.
🔹 A U.S. Revenue Tax of $3.00 was collected, suggesting that the American government regulated foreign departures to some degree.
This information helps reconstruct the financial realities of ocean travel during this period.
🖼️ Noteworthy Images & Their Importance
📜 SS Patria Passage Contract (Front Side)
📌 The original document detailing the third-class voyage from New York to Naples.
📌 Significance:
🔹 Provides an official record of ticket issuance and passenger details.
🔹 Shows how steamship companies structured ticketing and terms of travel.
📜 Fabre Line Passage Contract Terms & Law on Emigration
📌 A section of the contract outlining legal stipulations, passenger rights, and meal rations.
📌 Significance:
🔹 Offers a rare glimpse into the legal framework governing passenger travel in 1915.
🔹 Lists specific rations and food allocations per passenger, giving insight into onboard conditions.
📊 Cost of Passage in Today’s Currency
📌 While the contract does not list an exact fare, historical estimates suggest that third-class transatlantic fares ranged between $30-$50.
📌 Adjusted for inflation, this would equate to approximately $900 - $1,500 in 2020 USD, depending on factors such as route, wartime inflation, and taxes.
📌 Key Takeaways:
🔹 Third-class travel was still relatively affordable compared to first-class fares, making it accessible to middle-class and working-class travelers.
🔹 Wartime conditions may have influenced ticket pricing, availability, and safety measures.
📚 Conclusion – Why This Story Matters
The SS Patria Passage Contract (2 August 1915) is a rare and valuable artifact that offers insights into wartime ocean travel, maritime law, and reverse migration. It captures the complexities of transatlantic voyages during World War I, from economic realities to legal protections for passengers.
For historians, genealogists, and educators, this contract is a crucial primary source, shedding light on travel conditions, ticketing systems, and government regulations during a time of global upheaval.
Ultimately, this document tells the story of travelers navigating uncertain seas—both literally and metaphorically—amidst the backdrop of war, displacement, and changing global migration patterns. 🌍🚢✨
