Harry Aird Arrives at Ellis Island Aboard the SS Caledonia

Harry Aird: 1886-1966 (Paternal Grandfather)

Like so many of our ancestors, Harry Aird arrived in America by boat. In Harry’s case, the boat in question was the SS Caledonia, a steam ship owned by the Scottish company Anchor Line. Harry boarded the Caledonia in Glasgow, and landed at Ellis Island, where he officially applied to immigrate. He was twenty-four years old.

Harry Aird with wife May and son John

So what do we know about the SS Caledonia and life aboard a steamship? What was Harry’s journey like?

The Caledonia was still a fairly new vessel when Harry sailed in 1910. She was built by the D and W Henderson and Company in Glasgow for Anchor Line. When completed in 1905, the ship was 500 feet long, and had a depth of 33.4 feet. It was powered by twin screws or propellers, each driven by three-cylinder triple expansion engines. What that means in layman’s terms is that the steam is expanded in three stages, with each of the three engine cylinders having a different steam pressure. This enabled the ship to travel at a speed of 16 knots or 30 km/hr.

Postcard of the Caledonia

The Caledonia’s maiden voyage was March 26, 1905, traveling from Glasgow to New York, which became the ship’s regular route. According to Wikipedia, “she had berths for 1,350 passengers: 250 in first class, 350 in second class and 850 in third class.” I saw on another website that fares ranged in price from $67.50 to $125.00 by 1914. Earlier fares around 1902 ran about $30 for third class.

Given that Harry was immigrating and probably needed to save money, I expect he would have booked a third-class ticket.

First class accommodations were luxurious, as the photos below show. But what were third class berths like? What type of voyage would Harry have experienced?

First class dining room and first class cabin

Third class was a step above “steerage”, where immigrants were crammed together and forced to bring and cook their own food. The Caledonia did not include steerage as an option. I have been unable to find photos of Anchor Line’s third-class berths and dining areas, but below are photos from similar steamship companies.

Third class berths and dining room on similar ocean liners

I was able to find a website with 1902 brochures from Anchor Line, describing the second and third class accommodations. Although Harry’s voyage was eight years later, I expect little had changed.

“THIRD CLASS

This accommodation is exceedingly well lighted and ventilated, and fitted up in rooms, married couples, single women and single men being berthed separately, and every comfort and attention is furnished that is possible on an ocean steamer.

Third-class passengers are provided, free of charge, with a mattress, bedding, mess tins (plate, mug, knife, fork, spoon and water can). Tables are set for meals, and passengers are waited upon by stewards who take care of eating utensils.

A liberal supply of provisions, properly cooked, will be served on the steamers three times a day by the steamers’ stewards; breakfast at 9, dinner at 1, supper at 6 o’clock.”

BAGGAGE

Second Saloon 20 cubic feet, and Third Class 10 cubic feet, free; any excess will be charged for at rate of One Shilling sterling per cubic foot. All baggage before being sent to Anchor Line Pier should be labeled with name oi passenger and steamer on which passage has been engaged.

No luggage will be put on board the steamers until it has been claimed by passengers and marked “Wanted” or “Not Wanted,” on the voyage, as may be desired bv owners.

Passengers should be on board with their baggage one hour prior to the time of sailing, as hurry and confusion are thereby avoided, and baggage less liable to be lost. Special Anchor Line labels can be obtained on application at the principal offices and agencies of the line.”

We can surmise that Harry would have shared a room with other single men, with each man having their own bunk. He would have been served three meals per day. He would have been able to bring a decent amount of luggage—ten cubic feet isn’t that small. His trip would not have been luxurious, but he would probably have found the accommodations adequate.

Harry Aird on the Caledonia passenger list of Nov. 5, 1910.

The Anchor Line was known for their fast trans-Atlantic trips—they set a record for a crossing of just over six days on one ship. Harry’s trip was also short. The passenger list leaving Glasgow was dated November 5, 1910, and the arrival paperwork was dated November 13, so Harry was only at sea a week and one day.

Caledonia Captain's veriification to New York authorities upon Nov. 13, 1910 arrival

Sadly, the SS Caledonia was pressed into service in World War I as a troop transport ship. It was torpedoed by a U-Boat in the Mediterranean near Malta on December 4, 1916.. The ship sank, but not before it rammed and damaged the U-Boat. Nearly everyone on board survived.

I wonder if Harry Aird ever spoke to his son John of his voyage aboard the Caledonia or of his time at Ellis Island. It would have been wonderful to hear about his immigration experience first-hand.

Sources:

Ship records from SS Caledonia, including Harry Aird. November 13, 1900. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/4004194884:7488?tid=81812584&pid=78014052183&_phsrc=Acy6455&_phstart=successSource

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Caledonia_(1904)

https://www.ggarchives.com/OceanTravel/Brochures/AnchorLine-1902-SecondAndThirdClassAccommodations.html

Information about fares and First Class accommodations. https://navalwarfare.blogspot.com/2013/06/ss-caledonia.html