Emigration History
Sailing Ship vs. Steamship
The Atlantic Crossing Transformed (1840–1900)
1840s – Sailing Ships
~1860 Transition
1880s – Steamships
Sailing Ship
1840s
Crossing Duration
6–10 Weeks
Passengers
200–400
Mortality Rate
5–30%
Space per Person
~16 sq ft
Fresh Air
Barely Any
Food
Self-Provided
Steamship
1880s
Crossing Duration
10–14 Days
Passengers
1,000–2,000
Mortality Rate
< 1%
Space per Person
~32 sq ft
Fresh Air
Ventilation System
Food
Ship’s Galley
Cost of Passage
T
T
T
T
T
Sailing Ship (1840s)
30–40 Taler
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
Steamship (1880s)
80–120 Mark
A day laborer in the Eifel earned about 15–20 Taler per year around 1850.
The crossing cost 2–3 years’ income.
Progress by the Numbers
Steam navigation reduced crossing time by 80% and lowered mortality by over 95%. What was once a life-threatening adventure became a plannable journey.