Etiquette for Steam Ship Passengers

‘Do you remember my cousin who crossed with you in the spring of ‘95?’

 

WHAT NOT TO ASK THE CAPTAIN

“The annual rush of tourists back and forth over the Atlantic has begun,” said a liner’s captain, “and I am hardening myself to stand the usual ten tourist questions.

“There are ten questions that every tourist who can get near enough puts to me. You'll put them to me if you ever cross on my ship. I have been asked these ten questions 3,764,952 times. They are:

1. ‘Were you ever shipwrecked?’
2. ‘Any whales in this latitude?’
3. ‘How deep is the water here?’
4. ‘What tips are usually given, and to whom?’
5. ‘How many times have you crossed the Atlantic?’
6. ‘What is the best remedy for seasickness?’
7. ‘Why are you always painting this ship?’
8. ‘Will you let me come up on the bridge some time?’
9. ‘Do you remember my cousin who crossed with you in the spring of ‘95?’
10. ‘I suppose the passengers ask you a great many stupid questions, don't they?’”—Philadelphia Bulletin, 1910

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Gilded Age “Maritime Society“ Etiquette

 

The importance of annual pilgrimages, which are increasing year by year, has developed a system of ocean etiquette that governs the conduct of what may be termed the best circles of “maritime society.” Nowadays, the Captain of a crack ocean steamer must not only be a first-class sailor, but he must also be a man of infinite tact and method, with a thorough knowledge of what “society” requires at his hands. 

Eighty thousand Americans annually visit Europe. Of this number, 50,000 sail from the port of New York. They spend upon an average while abroad $2,500 apiece. The greater number are ladies. Much is the statement made by a Broadway traveling commission firm to a Journalier. The importance of these annual pilgrimages, which are increasing year by year, has developed a system of ocean etiquette that governs the conduct of what may be termed the best circles of “maritime society.”

Nowadays, the Captain of a crack ocean steamer must not only be a first-class sailor, but he must also be a man of infinite tact and method, with a thorough knowledge of what “society” requires at his hands. To sit at the right of the Captain at table at once accords to the occupants of that distinguished honor the highest place in the social scale on board ship, and the position is competed for with an amount of anxiety that is very amusing. 

The senior surgeon and his assistant (when two are carried) act as deputies, and rank, socially, next in importance to the Captain himself. How to accommodate the various claims for this coveted distinction is a matter of serious moment. The personnel of the passenger list is closely searched at least forty-eight hours before the vessel sails. 

Very often the purser is called into consultation, and the difficulty is finally settled by placing a card bearing the passenger’s name upon his or her plate. From this decision there is no appeal. It frequently happens, however, that one or more persons may consider themselves slighted, and where it is probable that the imaginary slight will disturb the social harmony, the Captain escapes by taking his meals in his own room. — New York Journal, 1883

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia