Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Ocean Passage Ticket

Steerage embarkation ticket for the S/S Pennland
Philadelphia to Bremen via Liverpool March 4, 1900

The tax on passenger tickets by any vessel from a port in the United States to a foreign port was:

$1 for a ticket up to $30
$3 for a ticket more than $30 to $60
$5 for a ticket more than $60


A $1 Commerce issue pays the proper tax for a $27 embarkation ticket to Bremen via Liverpool aboard the American Line steamer S/S Pennland. The endorsement penned at left in red by the International Navagation Company, who sold the ticket, reads, "not good only Government Stamp attached by Company".

Originally christened the Algeria when first launched in 1870 by the Cunard Line, the ship was renamed Pennland when purchased by the Red Star Line in 1881. It was chartered by the American Line in 1895. This so-called emigrant ship was near the end of its service when this ticket was purchased in 1900 as it was scrapped in 1903. For an image of the ship, a brief history, and a partial record of voyages go here.

Can anyone offer an example of a $3, or a $5 ticket?

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