SS Vulcania (1956) Passage Contract – Italian Line Transatlantic Voyage to Naples
📌 Discover the historical passage contract for the SS Vulcania (1956), documenting a Cabin Class transatlantic voyage from New York to Naples. This Italian Line ticket provides valuable insights into 1950s ocean travel, migration, and maritime history. A must-read for historians, genealogists, and ocean liner enthusiasts! Explore more at GG Archives!
Passenger's Receipt, Italian Line Passage Ticket Contract for Passage on the SS Vulcania, Departing from New York for Naples Dated 15 May 1956. GGA Image ID # 1ecf1436ee
SS Vulcania Passage Contract (1956) – A Transatlantic Voyage to Naples 🇮🇹🚢
The SS Vulcania passage contract from May 15, 1956, is a remarkable historical artifact that offers a detailed look into mid-20th-century transatlantic travel. By the 1950s, ocean liners were still the primary means of long-distance travel, particularly for immigrants, business professionals, and tourists journeying between North America and Europe.
The Italian Line’s SS Vulcania was one of the premier passenger ships of its time, known for its reliability and luxurious accommodations. This passage contract captures an era when air travel was growing in popularity, yet ocean voyages remained an essential part of global transportation networks. The document provides a valuable snapshot of ticketing practices, onboard accommodations, and financial costs associated with travel on one of Italy’s most distinguished passenger liners.
This Cabin Class passage ticket, issued to Mr. Saied Ewies, an Egyptian traveler, records his journey from New York to Naples, Italy, departing on May 15, 1956. The ticket price of $296 included a $6 landing tax, a substantial sum at the time. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to $3,190 in 2022 dollars using the Consumer Price Index and as much as $16,800 when measuring against GDP share.
This passenger contract, issued by the American Express Company on behalf of the Italian Line, provides detailed information about the embarkation process, travel class, and financial exchange, making it an essential document for those interested in historical migration, maritime history, and the economics of ocean travel.
Passage Ticket, Cabin Class
This passage ticket is subject to the terms and conditions printed on coupons B) and C) and on the inside of the ticket cover.
Eastbound from New York to Naples on the SS Vulcania, Sailing on 15 May 1956 at Noon, embarkation at 9:00 am, Cabin 449C, berth GTD
Name of Passenger: Mr. Saied Ewies, Egyptian, Male, One Adult Fare $290.00
Total Passage Money $290.00
Eastbound Landing Taxes $6.00
Total $296.00
American Express Co., 378 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 2 May 1956
Agent for the Italian Line, "Italia" Societa per Azoioni di Navigazione, Genova.
Historical Passage Contract Cost in Today's US Dollars
In 2022, the relative price worth of $296.00 from 1956 is:
- $3,190.00 using the Consumer Price Index
- $2,460.00 using the GDP deflator
In 2022, the relative wage or income worth of $296.00 from 1956 is:
- $4,580.00 using the unskilled wage
- $4,760.00 using the Production Worker Compensation
- $8,460.00 using the nominal GDP per capita
In 2022, the relative output worth of $296.00 from 1956 is:
- $16,800.00 using the relative share of GDP
Samuel H. Williamson, "Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 to present," MeasuringWorth, April 2023.
Who Should Find This Resource Valuable?
✅ 📚 Teachers & Students – This passage contract serves as a primary source document that illustrates the logistics, costs, and policies of transatlantic travel in the 1950s. It is particularly useful for research into post-war migration, international tourism, and the golden age of ocean liners.
✅ 🏡 Genealogists & Family Historians – This document is a treasure trove for those researching family history. With Mr. Saied Ewies’ full name, nationality, and voyage details, it offers a valuable record of an individual traveler’s journey across the Atlantic. It can be cross-referenced with passenger manifests and immigration records to reconstruct family migration patterns.
✅ ⚓ Maritime Historians & Enthusiasts – The Italian Line played a crucial role in post-war transatlantic travel, and the SS Vulcania was a well-regarded passenger ship. This ticket provides a detailed glimpse into mid-century maritime transport, ticketing regulations, and class distinctions aboard European ocean liners.
✅ 💰 Economists & Researchers – The inflation-adjusted cost of the voyage provides an interesting look at how transatlantic travel costs have changed over time. Comparing the 1956 ticket price to modern travel expenses offers a unique perspective on the affordability and accessibility of long-distance travel.
Historical Context of the Ship & Voyage
The SS Vulcania, launched in 1926 by the Italian Line, was a well-regarded passenger liner that played multiple roles throughout its long career. Initially built for luxury ocean travel, the ship later served in World War II as a troop transport, before being refitted for passenger service in the post-war years. By the 1950s, it had resumed its role as a popular transatlantic liner, catering to immigrants, business travelers, and tourists traveling between New York and major European ports, including Naples and Genoa.
The New York to Naples route was particularly important during this time, as Italy was experiencing a wave of post-war migration. Many Italians, as well as passengers from other Mediterranean nations, traveled to the United States in search of economic opportunities, while others, like Mr. Ewies, were likely engaged in business, diplomatic, or leisure travel.
The Italian Line was a prestigious carrier, known for its elegant service, high-quality cuisine, and spacious accommodations, making it a preferred choice for transatlantic passengers.
Cost of Voyage (Then & Now) 💵
The Cabin Class ticket for $296 in 1956 would be considered a significant expense for most travelers. Using historical inflation adjustments, we can estimate its modern equivalent:
Inflation-Adjusted Prices in 2022:
- Consumer Price Index (CPI): $3,190
- GDP Deflator (Economic Output Comparison): $2,460
- Labor Value (Wages & Compensation Comparison):
- Unskilled Wage Equivalent: $4,580
- Production Worker Compensation: $4,760
- GDP Share (Relative Economic Impact of Purchase): $16,800
These calculations show that long-distance ocean travel was a luxury expense, often reserved for wealthier individuals, professionals, or those making a significant life transition such as immigration.
Today, a transatlantic flight between New York and Italy costs a fraction of this amount, demonstrating how the economics of international travel have dramatically changed over time.
Noteworthy Images 🖼️
📜 Ticket Image ID #1ecf1436ee – The front of the passage ticket features official stamps, date of issue, and embarkation details, adding historical authenticity.
📑 Passenger Receipt Details – This section includes the full name, nationality, and class designation of the traveler, making it an important genealogical record.
📜 Financial Breakdown – The detailed fare amount, taxes, and issuing agent information provide insight into the financial and administrative aspects of ticketing during this era.
These images and notations enhance the historical value of the passage contract, making it a useful reference for maritime historians and collectors of ocean liner memorabilia.
Research Further Using GG Archives 📖🔍
The GG Archives is a valuable resource for researchers, students, and history enthusiasts interested in ocean travel, passenger documents, and transatlantic migration. The SS Vulcania passage contract from 1956 provides a unique window into the world of mid-century maritime transport, offering details on ticket pricing, onboard accommodations, and the economic realities of intercontinental travel.
💡 Students and historians can use this document to analyze primary sources related to international travel, immigration trends, and the broader history of the Italian Line’s operations.
🔗 Explore More at GG Archives! 📜✨
