SS Canada Archival Collection

SS Canada (1896), Twin-Screw Steamship of the Dominion Line. Propulsion: Twin-screw, Tonnage: 9000, Length: 515 Feet, Breadth: 58 Feet. Dominion Line Brochure: Book of Views, 1900. GGA Image ID # 121b46c9a1

Content Links

• Canada (1848) Cunard Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Canada (1863) National Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Canada (1865) French Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Canada (1896) Dominion Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Canada (1898) Austro-American Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Canada (1911) Fabre Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Passenger Lists
• Brochures
• Immigrant Documents
• Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs
• Sailing Schedules
• Excerpts from Information for Passengers
• Advertisements
• Fleet List
• Wireless Technology
• Time at Sea
• SS "CANADA." - 1896
• Books Referencing the SS Canada

Canada (1848) Cunard Line

Built by Robert Steele & Co., Greenock, Scotland. Tonnage: 1,831. Dimensions: 251' x 38'. Propulsion: Paddle-wheels, 10 knots. Side lever engines. Masts and Funnels: Three masts and one funnel. Additional Features: Wooden hull. Ownership Change: Sold and converted to sailing ship in 1867. Renamed: Mississippi. In service to Mauritius until 1876. Ownership Change: Sold to Calcutta owners in 1876. Fate: Scrapped in India, 1883. Sister ships: America, Europa and Niagara.

Canada (1863) National Line

Built by Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co., Newcastle, England. Tonnage: 4,276. Dimensions: 391' x 41'. Propulsion: Single-screw, 12 knots. Compound engines. Masts and Funnels: Three masts and one funnel. Modifications: Lengthened from 342 to 391 feet in 1872. Fate: Scrapped in 1894. Previously Named: Pennsylvania (1872). Sister ship: Greece.

Canada (1865) French Line

Built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France. Tonnage: 4,287. Dimensions: 354' x 43'. Propulsion: Single-screw, 13 1/2 knots. Compound engines. Masts and Funnels: Three masts and two funnels. Modifications: Converted from paddle-wheels to screw propulsion in 1876. First voyage: Havre-New York, April 22, 1876. Services: Transferred to Havre-Panama route in 1886. Fate: Scrapped in France, 1908. Previously Named: Panama (1876).

Canada (1896) Dominion Line

Built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd., Belfast, Ireland. Tonnage: 9,415. Dimensions: 500' x 58' (514' o.l.). Propulsion: Twin-screw, 15 knots. Masts and Funnels: Two masts and one funnel. Services: First twin-screw steamship built for the Canadian service. Maiden voyage: Liverpool-Quebec-Montreal, November 1, 1896. Tonnage was originally listed as 8,806. Other Service: Made a number of sailings to Boston. Fate: Scrapped in Italy, 1926.

Canada (1898) Austro-American Line

Built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, Germany. Tonnage: 11,440. Dimensions: 501' x 62'. Propulsion: Twin-screw, 12 knots. Quadruple expansion engines. Masts and Funnels: Two masts and one funnel. First voyage: Trieste-Canada in 1913. Renamed: (a) Bulgaria, (b) Hercules, (c) Philippines. Scrapped in 1924. Previously Named: Bulgaria (1913).

SS Canada (1911) of the Fabre Line. GGA Image ID # 2076a473d0

Canada (1911) Fabre Line

Built by Forges & Chantiers de la Mediterranee, La Seyne, France. Tonnage: 9,684. Dimensions: 476' x 56'. Propulsion: Twin-screw, 15 1/2 knots. Triple expansion engines. Masts and Funnels: Two masts and two funnels. Launched: August 12, 1911. Fate: Sold to British shipbreakers in August 1952. Sister ship: Sant Anna.

Passenger Lists

Récapitulation of SS Canada 18 September 1925 Voyage:

Brochures

Immigrant Documents

Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs

Track Chart and Memorandum of Log stating nautical miles traveled and weather conditions for the 15 January 1898 voyage of the SS Canada. GGA Image ID # 1ea6128412

Sailing Schedules

Proposed Sailings, February and March, 1898 for the Dominion Line. Ships Include the SS Canada, SS Scotsman, SS Labrador, and the SS Vancouver. Page also included Dominion Line's Fleet of Steamers with Tonage and Assigned Captain. GGA Image ID # 1db419442b

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-Boston Service and White Star-Dominion Canadian Service, from 22 April 1909 to 8 January 1910. Ships Included the Canada, Cymric, Dominion, Laurentic, Megantic, Ottawa, and Vancouver. RMS Arabic Passenger List, 11 June 1909. GGA Image ID # 1e4b15ece5

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Québec-Montréal, from 15 July 1909 to 20 November 1910. Ships Included the Canada, Dominion, Laurentic, Megantic, and Ottawa. SS Dominion Passenger List, 19 August 1909. GGA Image ID # 1f04d757ef

Sailing Schedule, White Star-Dominion Line Canadian Service, Liverpool-Quebec-Montreal, from 2 July 1910 to 19 November 1910. Ships Included the Canada, Dominion, Laurentic, and Megantic. RMS Cymric Passenger List, 26 July 1910. GGA Image ID # 1e56277011

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Quebec-Montreal, from 3 June 1911 to 18 November 1911. Ships Included the Canada, Laurentic, Meganitic, and Teutonic. SS Canopic First Class Passenger List, 23 July 1911. GGA Image ID # 211fd34469

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Quebec-Montreal and Liverpool-Portland, ME, from 6 September 1913 to 18 April 1914. Ships Included the Arabic, Canada, Cymric, Dominion, Laurentic, Megantic, and Teutonic. SS Cretic Passenger List, 22 November 1913. GGA Image ID # 1e57a61bc5

White Star Line Proposed Sailings, Liverpool-Québec-Montréal Service; and Liverpool-Halifax-Portland, ME Service, from 8 August 1922 to 30 December 1922. Ships Include the Canada, Canopic, Megantic, and Regina. RMS Majestic Passenger List, 6 September 1922. GGA Image ID # 1dd5148dae

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Belfast-Glasgow-Québec-Montréal, Liverpool-Halifax-Portland, ME, Liverpool-Halifax-Boston, from 17 August 1923 to 14 December 1923. Ships Included the Canada, Doric, Megantic, and Regina. RMS Homeric Passenger List, 5 September 1923. GGA Image ID # 1f0b2c0cc8

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Quebec-Montreal, from 16 May 1924 to 22 November 1924. Ships Included the Canada, City of Exeter, Doric, Megantic, and Regina. White Star Line RMS Olympic First Class Passenger List - 4 June 1924. GGA Image ID # 20741170e1

White Star Line, Liverpool -- New York via Queenstown (Cobh) Proposed Sailings from 5 September 1924 to 20 March 1925. Ships Include the Cedric, Baltic, Celtic, Adriatic, Doric, and Megantic. The Megantic and Doric carry Cabin and Third Class Passengers. GGA Image ID # 1db4931002

Sailing Schedule, White Star-Dominion Line, Liverpool-Québec-Montréal, from 18 April 1925 to 27 November 1925. Ships Included the Canada, Doric, Megantic, and Regina. RMS Celtic Passenger List, 30 May 1925. GGA Image ID # 1e52957de8

White Star Line Liverpool-Boston-New York via Queenstown (Cobh) Proposed Sailings from 5 September 1925 to 6 March 1926. Ships include the Cedric, Celtic, Doric, and Baltic. The Doric Carries Cabin and Third Class Passengers. GGA Image ID # 1db4ae1380

White Star-Dominion Line To Canada -- Liverpool-Québec-Montréal and Liverpool-Halifax-Portland, ME via Belfast and Glasgow (Westbound) Proposed Sailings from 4 September 1925 to 17 April 1926. Ships included the Megantic, Regina, Canada, Doric, and Megantic. These Steamers Carry Cabin and Third Class Passengers. GGA Image ID # 1db4ca9007

White Star Line Express Mail Service Proposed Sailings, 7 September 1925 - 25 March 1926. Ships Include Arabic, Olympic, Zeeland, Lapland, Majestic, Pittsburgh, Belgenland, and Homeric. The Pittsburgh, Arabic and Zeeland carry Cabin and Third Class Passengers. The Belgenland, Pittsburgh, Lapland, and Zeeland are Red Star Line Steamers. GGA Image ID # 1db478a4fa

Red Star Line To Canada: Antwerp-Southampton-Cherbourg-Halifax Proposed Sailings from 5 September 1925 to 25 March 1926. Ships included the Arabic, Zeeland, and Pittsburgh. These Steamers Carry Cabin and Third Class Passengers. The SS Arabic is a White Star Line Steamer. GGA Image ID # 1db4f5c87a

Proposed Sailings, White Star Line Canadian Service, Montréal-Québec-Liverpool, from 2 July 1926 to 27 November 1926. Ships Included the Canada, Doric, Megantic, and Regina. RMS Belgenland Passenger List, 26 June 1926. GGA Image ID # 1df2d57133

Excerpts from Information for Passengers

Information for Passengers - 15 January 1898

Attention is called to the new Regulations relating to Seal-skin garments imported as personal effects. They must be accompanied by an invoice duly certified by the United States Consul, at the place of exportation, as prescribed by the Regulations of the Honorable the Secretary of the Treasury under the Act approved December 29th, 1897; and all such garments, on arrival, will be sent to the public stores for examination.

Meals will be served in the Saloon, as under :

• Breakfast, 8.30 to 9.30 A. M.
• Lunch, 1 P. M.
• Dinner, 6 P. M.
• Supper, if ordered, 9 to 10 P. M.

Children and Nurses.

• Breakfast at 8 A. M.,
• Dinner at 12 M.,
• Tea at 5 P. M.

The Bar closes at 11P. M., Lights are extinguished in the Saloon at 11 P. M., and in the Smoking Room at 11.30 P. M.

Please apply to the Second Steward for seats at Table.

Letters and Telegrams to be sent ashore at Queenstown, should be handed to the Saloon Steward an hour before arrival.

Writing Paper, Envelopes and Telegram Forms will be found in the Library.

Steamer Chairs can be obtained for use on the voyage, at a charge of $ 1.00 each, upon application to the Deck Steward.

For Railway and Steamship Time Tables of the various Companies, apply to the Saloon Steward.

Barber Shop is located on the Main Deck.

Source: SS Canada Passenger List - 15 January 1898

Information for Passengers - 18 September 1925

MEALS WILL BE SERVED AS FOLLOWS:-

The Bar opens at 8:00 am, and closes at 11:00 pm

Lights are extinguished in the Saloon at 11:00 pm, Library and Smoking Room at 11:30 pm

Divine Service will be held in the Saloon on Sunday at 11:00 am

CONDUCTRESS. The ship’s Conductress (Mrs. L. Goodlife) is willing to interview any ladies traveling alone, and would be pleased to be of any service during the voyage or on arrival in port.

SMOKING is strictly prohibited in any of the Staterooms, Library or Dining Saloon.

SEATS AT TABLE. Passengers who have not previously arranged for seats at table to be reserved should apply for same to the Second Steward.

MEDICAL ATTENDANCE. The surgeon is authorized to make customary charges, subject in each case to the approval of the commander, for treating passengers at their request for any illness not originating on the voyage. In the case of sickness developed on the voyage no charge will be made, and medicine will be provided free in all circumstances.

The surgeon will be in attendance at the surgery for consultations at the following hours:

• 10:00 am, 6:00 pm, 8:30 pm

The surgeon will be available at all times in cases of urgency.

LETTERS, ETC., FOR PASSENGERS will be brought on board before the passengers land. Passengers should personally ascertain whether there is any mail for them before disembarking and they are invited to leave their addresses with the Saloon Steward for any later despatches to be re-directed. Postage Stamps may be obtained from the Saloon Steward, to whom letters, telegrams, cablegrams and Marconi messages should be handed for despatch.

CHARGES PAID ON BOARD. Passengers are requested to ask for a Receipt on the Company’s Form for any additional Passage Money, Chair or Steamer Rug Hire, or Freight, Marconigram, Cablegram, etc., charges paid on board.

LIBRARY. Books can be obtained on applying to the Library Steward.

DECK CHAIRS and STEAMER RUGS can be hired on application at a charge of 6/6 ($1.50) each for the voyage.

VALUABLES. For the convenience of passengers, the Line has provided in the Purser’s Office a safe in which money, jewels, ornaments, documents or other valuables may be deposited by passengers.

A receipt for any articles so deposited will be issued by the Purser, but the Line does not, having regard to the ticket conditions and to the provisions of Section 502 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, and of Section 4281 of the revised Statutes of the United States, accept any responsibility for the safe custody of any such articles. Passengers are accordingly advised to protect themselves by insurance.

EXCHANGE OF MONEY. The Purser is prepared for the conveni­ence of passengers, to exchange a limited amount of English, Canadian and American money, at rates which will be advised on application.

BAGGAGE. Questions relating to Baggage should be referred to the Second Steward, who is the Ship’s Baggage Master on board. Trunks, Chairs, etc., which Passengers may desire to leave in charge of the Company should be appropriately labeled and handed to the Baggage Master on the Wharf at Port of Landing, and such articles will be stored entirely at owners’ risk. It is for passengers themselves to see all their Baggage is passed by the Customs Authorities on landing.

DOGS. Passengers are notified that dogs cannot be landed in Great Britain unless a license has previously been procured from the Board of Agriculture, London. Forms of license must be obtained by direct application to the Department before the dog is taken on board at Port of Embarkation.

TRAVELLERS’ CHEQUES, payable in all parts of Europe, can be purchased at all the principal offices of the Company. These Cheques are accepted on board steamers in payment of accounts, but the Pursers do not carry funds to enable them to cash same except to a very limited amount.

DECK GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS. Deck Quoits, Shuffleboard, Bull Board and other games are provided on deck under the charge of a Quartermaster.

Chess, Draughts, Dominoes, etc., can be obtained on application to the Saloon Steward.

PASSENGERS’ QUARTERS. Cabin passengers are not allowed to enter Third Class compartments, or vice versa, as complications might arise under the Quarantine Regulations.

BARBER. The Barber is authorized to make the following charges:-

The Barber is allowed the privilege of selling various souvenirs and small articles on his own account.

PICTURE POSTCARDS. Picture Postcards of the steamer can be obtained gratis on application on board.

POSTAL INFORMATION.

HIGH SEAS MAIL.—On all British Steamers British Postage Stamps and rates are used when mailing letters for European points, and such letters should be posted in the ship’s letter box in the ordinary way.

The mail bag is closed a few hours previous to arrival. Full particulars can be obtained at the Enquiry Office upon application.

LONG RANGE WIRELESS SERVICE.

This vessel is fitted with special long range wireless apparatus which will enable passengers to communicate with their friends or business connections on shore at any time during the voyage across the North Atlantic Ocean

OCEAN LETTERS. The Marconi Company have inaugurated an “Ocean Letter” service by which messages may be sent from one ship to another going in an opposite direction for delivery by Registered Post from the first port of call of the latter vessel.

POSTE RADIOTELEGRAMS. These messages are accepted for transmission to a selected vessel for mailing on arrival in port. This service provides a most economical channel of communication with friends and relatives on shore when full rate facilities are not desired.

TIME ON SHIPBOARD. On the voyage from Europe, owing to the alteration in time as the ship proceeds Westward, it is necessary to put the clock back every 24 hours. The alteration in time is made at about midnight, and the clock is usually put back from 35 to 45 minutes on each occasion, the exact amount of time depending upon the distance the ship is estimated to make by noon the next day.

During the first 24 hours, however, owing to the change from Mean Time to Apparent Time, the alteration is likely to be consider­ably more than 45 minutes, especially while Summer Time is in use.

The “CANADA” carries an Orchestra of skilled musicians, which will play daily as follows :—*

In the main Companionway, 11 am to 12 noon 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm After Dinner

RETURN ACCOMMODATION For the convenience of those passengers who may be returning from the United States or Canada to Europe and who have not yet made the necessary reservations, the Purser will be pleased to radio New York, Boston, Philadelphia, or Montreal Office, for any accommodation required. This will enable passengers to complete their arrangements before leaving the steamer and will, consequently, save them time and trouble after landing.

TELEPHONING FACILITIES FOR PASSENGERS AT MONTRÉAL For the convenience of passengers arrangements have been made with the Bell Telephone Company for booths to be placed on the Wharf at Montréal; and the further facility has been arranged of having a portable extension telephone placed on board steamer immediately on arrival, thus enabling passengers to secure telephonic communication before landing.

LANDING ARRANGEMENTS AT MONTRÉAL Should the steamer arrive at the Montréal wharf after 8:00 pm., passengers may land, if they wish to do so, and have their hand baggage passed by the Customs Authorities immediately on arrival, but those who prefer to remain on board may do so and have the whole of their baggage passed the following morning not earlier than 7 o’clock. Breakfast will be served to those who remain on board overnight.

UPPER BERTHS Passengers occupying upper berths can obtain steps for getting in or out of same on applying to the steward or stewardess.

WARDROBE TRUNKS Passengers are advised that it is not always possible to arrange for the placing of ward­robe trunks in the passenger accommodation in a position where they are easily accessible, also that there is frequently difficulty with regard to the landing of such packages owing to their exceptional size. They are therefore recommended to use steamer trunks in preference.

Source: SS Canada Passenger List - 18 September 1925

Advertisements

Advertisement: Dominion Line Mail Steamships, 1898. Fast and Large Steamers, Weekly Sailings from Montreal and Quebec to Liverpool. Saloons and Staterooms Amidships. Boston Service: Boston to Liverpool via Queenstown (Cobh) fortnightly Sailings on the SS Canada (9,000 Tons) and the SS New England (10,000 Tons). Canadian Magazine, May 1898. GGA Image ID # 2076ad7466

Fleet List

The Dominion Dine Steamers Sail Regularly Between Liverpool and Boston (Via Queenstown); Liverpool, Quebec, and Montreal; Liverpool, Halifax, St. John, NB; Liverpool, Halifax, and Portland, Me. The Following Is a List of the Steamers Comprising the Fleet: SS Commonwealth, SS New England, SS Canada, SS Dominion, SS Scotsman, SS Derbyshire, SS Vancouver, SS Labrador, SS Irishman, SS Ottoman, SS Cambroman, SS Roman, and SS Norseman. These Steamers Are Fitted with Electric Light Throughout, Have Saloons and State Rooms, Music Rooms, Smoking Rooms, and Bath Rooms Amidships, Where the Slightest Motion Is Felt, Are Amongst the Largest and Finest Afloat, and Arc Well and Favorably Known for the Comfort and Excellent Arrangements They Afford for All Classes of Passengers. Book of Views, 1900. GGA Image ID # 1f061f5e11

The Fleet of the White Star Line and White Star-Dominion Line and Listing of Associated Companies and Their Service Routes, 1925. SS Canada Passenger List, 18 September 1925. GGA Image ID # 1ea5c51240

Wireless Technology

Wireless Telegram Rates, Long-Range Wireless Service, and Special Rate Message, 1925. SS Canada Passenger List, 18 September 1925. GGA Image ID # 1ea5738dc8

Time at Sea

Time on Shipboard. On the Voyage from Europe, Owing to the Alteration in Time as the Ship Proceeds Westward, It Is Necessary to Put the Clock Back Every 24 Hours. The Alteration in Time Is Made at About Midnight. The Clock Is Usually Put Back from 35 to 45 Minutes on Each Occasion, the Exact Amount of Time Depending upon the Distance the Ship Is Estimated to Make by Noon the Next Day. During the First 24 Hours, However, Owing to the Change from Moan Timo to Apparent Time, the Alteration Is Likely to Be Considerably More Than 45 Minutes, Especially While Summer Time Is in Use. SS Canada Passenger List, 18 September 1925. GGA Image ID # 1ea59b53c4

Books Referencing the SS Canada

Passenger Ships of the World - 1963

🎓 “A Global Voyage Through Steamship History for Historians, Genealogists, and Maritime Enthusiasts”

Eugene W. Smith’s Passenger Ships of the World – Past and Present (1963) is a masterfully curated encyclopedic reference that charts the rise, peak, and transformation of ocean-going passenger ships through nearly two centuries. Expanding upon his earlier Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific works, Smith offers a global maritime panorama that includes ships serving the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Oceania, as well as Canal routes and California-Hawaii shuttle lines.

🧭 This book is an essential resource for:

• Maritime historians seeking design evolution and fleet data
• Genealogists tracing voyages and shipping lines
• Educators and students studying transoceanic migration and tourism
• Ship modelers, naval architects, and enthusiasts interested in dimensions, tonnage, and speed