SS St. Louis Prepaid Passage Memorandum (1897) – A Window into Transatlantic Travel

Explore an 1897 Prepaid Passage Memorandum for Second Cabin travel aboard the SS St. Louis (American Line) from Southampton to New York. This historical document offers insight into immigration sponsorship, transatlantic travel costs, and Second Cabin conditions—a must-read for historians, genealogists, and educators!

SS St. Louis Prepaid Steamship Ticket Memorandum, American Line, 2 October 1897. GGA Image ID # 1fa3ffde75

Prepaid Memorandum Summary

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 2 October 1897
• Steamship Line: American Line
• Steamship: SS St. Louis
• Route: Southampton to New York
• Ticket Type: Prepaid Memorandum
• Voyage Class: Second Cabin
• Name on Contract: Mr. J. L. Laplace
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): British
• Contract Terms: Limited - First part of round-trip ticket
• Cost of Ticket: $49.10 / $1,580.00 in 2020 USD
• Note: Passenger was on board the 2 October 1897 voyage of the Steamship St. Louis from Southampton to New York

This 1897 Memorandum (Ticket Receipt) was for a Prepaid Second Cabin passage on the American Line Steamship St. Louis for Passenger R. L. Laplace. The Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives also has the passenger list for the voyage.

This ticket was purchased for.

Date issued : August 10 1897

Names of Passengers : J. L. Laplace (Note 1)

Amount of Ocean fare : $ 49.10 (Note 2)

Am' t of Inland fare: $

Total : $49.10

Handwritten Notation: Issues in connection with Eastbound Ticket # 61717

Brought by: Himself

/s/ Henry Birdrall

Should the passenger refuse to come out, within the specified time for which the Certificate is available, the Company will refund the amount paid, less 10 per cent, discount, on the production of this Memorandum, together with the corresponding Certificate of passage.

Money forwarded to INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION COMPANY, 6 Bowling Green, New York, for the use of the passenger on arrival, will be delivered on application and identification.

Henry Birdsall,

Agent

187 West Street

New York

Note 1: Passenger was on board the 2 October 1897 voyage of the Steamship St. Louis from Southampton to New York.

Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value

In 2020, the relative values of $49.10 from 1897 ranges from $1,350.00 to $62,900.00.

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is $1,580.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying $49.10 by the percentage increase in the CPI from 1897 to 2020.

This may not be the best answer.

The best measure of the relative value over time depends on if you are interested in comparing the cost or value of a Commodity,  Income or Wealth,  or a Project.

If you want to compare the value of a $49.10 Commodity in 1897 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real price of that commodity is $1,580.00
• labor value of that commodity is $8,680.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $12,600.00 (using production worker compensation)
• income value of that commodity is $13,800.00
• economic share of that commodity is $62,900.00

If you want to compare the value of a $49.10 Income or Wealth, in 1897 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is $1,580.00
• relative labor earnings of that commodity are $8,680.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $12,600.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative income value of that income or wealth is $13,800.00
• relative output value of that income or wealth is $62,900.00

If you want to compare the value of a $49.10 Project in 1897 there are three choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real cost of that project is $1,350.00
• labor cost of that project is $8,680.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $12,600.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative cost of that project is $13,800.00
• economy cost of that project is $62,900.00

Source: www.measuringworth.com Samuel H. Williamson, "Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 to present," MeasuringWorth, 2022.

🚢 SS St. Louis Prepaid Passage Memorandum (1897): A Unique Glimpse into Transatlantic Travel 🛳️

🌍 A Significant Document for Genealogists, Historians, and Ocean Travel Enthusiasts

This 1897 Prepaid Steamship Ticket Memorandum for J. L. Laplace, traveling Second Cabin aboard the SS St. Louis of the American Line, offers a fascinating insight into transatlantic travel at the turn of the century. The document provides valuable details about ticket costs, terms, refund policies, and the financial aspects of prearranged passage—all of which are crucial for understanding immigration, tourism, and business travel during this era.

📜 For historians and maritime researchers, this document showcases how transatlantic voyages were arranged, paid for, and structured, shedding light on Second Cabin travel—a class that bridged the gap between luxury and steerage.

🎓 For teachers and students, it serves as a real-world primary source that enhances discussions about migration patterns, social mobility, and the evolution of international travel.

🧬 For genealogists, this document may be a missing link in family history research, offering proof of an ancestor’s voyage to America.

📜 Key Details of the Passage Memorandum

📅 Date of Purchase: August 10, 1897

🚢 Steamship Line: American Line

🛳 Steamship: SS St. Louis

🌍 Route: Southampton ➡ New York

🎟 Ticket Type: Prepaid Memorandum

💰 Cost of Ticket: $49.10 (Equivalent to ~$1,580 in 2020 USD)

🛏 Voyage Class: Second Cabin

👤 Passenger: J. L. Laplace

📌 Ticket Issued in Connection with Round Trip

📌 Interesting Fact: The SS St. Louis was a state-of-the-art liner of the American Line, offering a comfortable, yet affordable, alternative to the luxury of First Class and the hardships of Steerage.

🛤️ Understanding Prepaid Passage – Why It Mattered for Immigrants & Travelers

A Prepaid Memorandum like this one functioned as a receipt for a previously arranged ticket. These were often purchased by:

✔️ Relatives in America who wanted to sponsor family members for immigration

✔️ Employers securing passage for their workers

✔️ Businessmen and travelers ensuring a return voyage

✔️ Wealthier immigrants who wanted to travel with some level of comfort

This contract ensured that the passenger had a secured spot on the ship, but it also came with strict refund policies and expiration dates—illustrating how steamship companies protected their profits.

📌 Refund Clause: If the passenger did not sail within the specified timeframe, the company would refund the fare but deduct a 10% fee—a significant loss in those days.

📌 Ticket Connection: The handwritten notation indicates that this ticket was linked to an eastbound voyage—suggesting it was part of a round-trip journey rather than a one-way immigrant passage.

🎟️ Second Cabin Class – A Bridge Between Steerage and First Class

Unlike Steerage, which was designed for immigrants traveling in bulk, Second Cabin was a more comfortable and affordable option for middle-class travelers.

✔️ Private or semi-private cabins

✔️ Better meals and dining areas

✔️ Less crowded conditions compared to Steerage

✔️ Access to promenades and better ventilation

For businessmen, professionals, or wealthier immigrants, Second Cabin was a logical choice—offering an affordable yet dignified way to cross the Atlantic.

📸 Noteworthy Images in the Collection

🖼 📜 SS St. Louis Prepaid Memorandum - The original document detailing ticket costs, issuance date, and terms.

🖼 📄 Refund & Terms of Use - The fine print explaining cancellation policies, refund conditions, and inland travel options.

📜 Passenger Arrival Record – A Vital Clue for Genealogists 🧬

📜 Passenger Record for J. L. Laplace

✔️ Arrived in New York on October 2, 1897

✔️ Traveled aboard SS St. Louis (American Line)

✔️ Nationality: British

✔️ Age at Arrival: Unknown

✔️ Voyage Class: Second Cabin

This arrival record is a valuable resource for anyone researching ancestry, migration patterns, or historical business travel.

💰 The Cost of Transatlantic Travel – Then vs. Now 💵

💰 1897 Cost: $49.10

💰 2020 Equivalent: $1,580 to $62,900 (depending on the metric used)

📌 Comparison with Today: While the base price in today’s money seems reasonable for a transatlantic voyage, in 1897, $49.10 was a significant investment—equivalent to several months' wages for an average worker.

🚢 Conclusion: This was not a casual expense—it required careful financial planning and often family sponsorship.

📜 Why This Document Matters for Historians & Genealogists

🧭 For Historians - This memorandum illustrates how transatlantic travel was structured, financed, and organized, offering a glimpse into the complexities of ocean travel during the late 19th century.

📜 For Genealogists - This document may be a critical piece of family history, linking ancestors to immigration records, census data, and passenger manifests.

🏫 For Teachers & Students - This primary source document can be used in history lessons to discuss immigration, social class distinctions in ocean travel, and early travel industry business practices.

🌊 Final Thoughts – The Evolution of Ocean Travel 🚢

This Prepaid Memorandum is more than just a receipt—it represents the evolving world of international travel, where sponsorship, round-trip journeys, and middle-class accommodations were becoming more common.

For anyone researching family migration, historical travel, or 19th-century business trips, this document is a valuable historical artifact that connects the past to the present.

Would you have chosen Second Cabin over Steerage? 🤔🚢