The SS Yorkshire Passage Contract (1859): A Glimpse into Packet Ship Travel and the Early Life of Diplomat Nicholas Fish
📌 Discover the 1859 passage contract for the SS Yorkshire, a packet ship of the Black Ball Line, carrying a young Nicholas Fish—future U.S. diplomat. This historical document sheds light on maritime travel, transatlantic migration, and the legacy of the Fish family in American history.
Passage Contract, on the Packet Ship "Yorkshire" of the Black Ball Line, 16 March 1859 - Nicholas Fish, New York to Bremen. GGA Image ID # 129a1313a8
Summary of Passage Contract
- Date of Purchase / Voyage: 16 March 1859
- Steamship Line: Black Ball Line
- Steamship: Packet Ship "Yorkshire"
- Route: New York to Bremen
- Ticket Type: Passage Contract
- Voyage Class: Unknown
- Name on Contract: Nicholas Fish
- Etnicity of Passenger(s): American
- Contract Terms: Not Stated
- Cost of Ticket: Not Stated
London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Havre, Hamburg, Bremen and Southampton Office,
146 Liberty Street, New York
Where passages can at all times be engaged on reasonable terms, either to or from the above ports, in Sailing Packets or Steamships.
Berth No. ___ New York, March 16, 1859
This Entitles the Bearer, Nicholas Fish to a "Fb" passage, this present voyage, (the dangers of the seas excepted,) hence to Bremen in the Packet Ship Yorkshire.
To be Exchanged at 146 Liberty Street
/s/ M. P. Phillips
Note: Nicholas Fish would have been 13 Years Old at the time of this voyage.
About the Passenger: Nicholas Fish
Nicholas Fish II, Ex-Minister to Switzerland, c1882, a Passenger on the SS Yorkshire of the Black Ball Line, 16 March 1859. GGA Image ID # 1f9a24af7b
Nicholas Fish II (1846-1902) was the father of the late Hamilton Fish of Roosevelt's rough riders, brother of Stuyvesant Fish, President of the Illinois Central Railroad, grandson of American Revolutionary War soldier Nicholas Fish and son of Secretary of State Hamilton Fish. Nicholas Fish II was a U.S. diplomat, who was appointed second secretary of legation at Berlin in 1871, became secretary in 1874, and was charge d'affaires at Berne in 1877-1881, and minister to Belgium in 1882-1886, after which he engaged in banking in New York City.
The photograph of the Hon. Nicholas Fish II dates from circa 1882 taken after he left his post as Minister of Switzerland. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress.
His death as reported by the New York Times was after being assaulted by a man selling jewelry at a Saloon. Mr. Fish was at the saloon in the company of two women. Two men entered the saloon and began to quarrel with Mr. Fish. After some minutes, Mr. Fish started toward the door, the other man pursuing him. On reaching the street door, it is said that the younger man struck the banker, but not hard enough to fell him.
But in an instant, he struck him again, this time causing him to fall to the pavement on his head. He was taken to Roosevelt Hospital and regained consciousness long enough to agree to have an operation performed (trephining his skull). He died a half hour after the operation started at 2:45 am 16 September 1902 with Mrs. Fish at his side. Mr. Fish was 56 years old.
Information about this Ticket
- Date: 16 March 1859
- Dimensions: 12.8 x 19.5 cm
Note 1: Phineas P. Quimby of Belfast, Maine, created an apparatus that introduced a lever for the purpose of moving the rudder with the same length of tiller, through a given space with less turns of the wheel that can be done in any other way with the same pitch of screw. Mr. Quimby was issued Patent No. 7197 dated March 19, 1850 by the U. S. Patent Office.
Recap and Summary: SS Yorkshire Passage Contract (16 March 1859) 🚢📜
🌊 A Rare Glimpse into 19th-Century Transatlantic Travel
The SS Yorkshire Passage Contract, dated 16 March 1859, provides a unique snapshot of ocean travel during the age of packet ships. This document represents a voyage on the Yorkshire, a packet ship of the legendary Black Ball Line, for a passenger named Nicholas Fish, traveling from New York to Bremen, Germany.
For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this artifact serves as an essential resource for understanding:
- The mechanics of transatlantic migration and diplomacy in the mid-19th century
- The importance of packet ships before the era of steamships
- How privileged passengers (like Nicholas Fish) experienced maritime travel compared to immigrants traveling in steerage
Additionally, the inclusion of Nicholas Fish, a notable American diplomat, elevates this document’s significance, allowing for a personalized connection to history.
🚢 Key Voyage Details
- Date of Purchase: March 16, 1859
- Ship: Packet Ship Yorkshire
- Line: Black Ball Line
- Route: New York → Bremen, Germany
- Voyage Class: Not Stated (Possibly First-Class or Diplomatic Passage)
- Passenger: Nicholas Fish (at age 13, traveling alone or with guardians)
- Nationality: American
- Ticket Location: Issued at 146 Liberty Street, New York
- Signatory: M. P. Phillips
📌 The Historical Importance of Packet Ships & the Black Ball Line
The Black Ball Line, founded in 1817, was the first regularly scheduled transatlantic passenger and cargo service, revolutionizing ocean travel. Packet ships like the Yorkshire played a crucial role in international trade and migration, carrying:
✅ Wealthy diplomats and merchants
✅ European immigrants seeking a new life in America
✅ Mail, goods, and political correspondence between continents
The SS Yorkshire, a well-known packet ship of the Black Ball Line, was renowned for:
Speed and reliability in an era where ocean crossings were unpredictable
Fixed schedules, allowing passengers and merchants to plan their journeys
Transporting thousands of immigrants, shaping American demographics
The packet ship era was soon overshadowed by steamships, which provided faster and more comfortable journeys, making this passage contract one of the last relics of an evolving maritime world.
🧑🎓 Who Was Nicholas Fish? – A Diplomatic Legacy
One of the most fascinating aspects of this document is its notable passenger, Nicholas Fish II (1846-1902), who later became a prominent U.S. diplomat and banker.
📜 A Lineage of Power and Influence
Nicholas Fish came from a distinguished American family:
- Grandfather: Nicholas Fish I, a Revolutionary War hero and close friend of Alexander Hamilton
- Father: Hamilton Fish, U.S. Secretary of State (1873-1877) under President Ulysses S. Grant
- Brother: Stuyvesant Fish, President of the Illinois Central Railroad
- Son: Hamilton Fish II, a Rough Rider in Theodore Roosevelt’s regiment
His journey aboard the Yorkshire in 1859 at the age of 13 suggests family connections, diplomatic engagements, or early education abroad.
🌍 Nicholas Fish’s Career and Tragic End
Began diplomatic service in 1871 as Second Secretary of Legation in Berlin
Became Minister to Switzerland (1877-1881) and Belgium (1882-1886)
Later worked in banking in New York
Murdered in 1902 after an altercation in a saloon, making headlines across the country
His international diplomatic roles and tragic end make this contract more than just a ticket—it’s a link to a pivotal historical figure.
📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance
🖼️ Passage Contract Ticket (1859)
A historical document proving transatlantic travel, detailing ship, passenger, and contractual obligations.
A key record for genealogists researching the Fish family or U.S.-Europe diplomatic ties.
🖼️ Portrait of Nicholas Fish II (c. 1882)
Depicts Nicholas Fish as a high-ranking diplomat, long after his teenage journey aboard the Yorkshire.
Library of Congress archival photo, adding authenticity to this historical connection.
🖼️ New York Packet Ship Yorkshire
Illustrates the design and structure of 19th-century packet ships, emphasizing how ocean travel differed from later steamships.
Demonstrates the power of the Black Ball Line in shaping maritime history.
🔍 Why This Document is Valuable
📚 For Historians & Teachers
Provides first-hand evidence of mid-19th century maritime travel.
Illustrates the role of packet ships in diplomacy, migration, and commerce.
👨👩👧👦 For Genealogists
An essential piece of documentation for those researching the Fish family.
Adds personal history to official records of Nicholas Fish’s life and career.
🌎 For Students & Researchers
Bridges maritime history with U.S. diplomacy and immigration trends.
Shows how international travel shaped early American government figures.
🌍 Final Thoughts: A Journey Across History
The SS Yorkshire passage contract from 1859 is more than just a travel document—it’s a bridge between maritime history, transatlantic migration, and U.S. diplomacy. This voyage carried Nicholas Fish, a future American statesman, across the Atlantic, offering a rare glimpse into the world of packet ships and the elite passengers they transported.
This document encapsulates an era on the brink of transformation, as packet ships neared their end and steamships began to dominate. It also provides a human connection to history, reminding us how ocean travel shaped political leaders, economic growth, and international diplomacy. 🚢📜✨
