XIII. Ocean Liner Routes

Ocean travelers used maps in variety of ways. When planning their trip, they could see which ports were most convenient to their final destinations. While in transit, the ship’s position was publicly posted every day and passengers were invited to plot their vessel’s course in an abstract log [137]. Companies also ensured that their customers could find their way easily from their port of debarkation to their ultimate destination.

The International Mercantile Marine conglomerate produced an especially effective map [139] showing train times and prices (for both first- and second-class passengers) between various ports and cities across Europe. But only the Canadian-Pacific Line could boast of an integrated network of ships and railroads that spanned the Atlantic, North America, and the Pacific [138].

139. Norddeutscher Lloyd

Dampfer: Lahn (1888-1904), Capt. H. Hellmers.
Abge-fahren: Sandy Hook 2/7 1890, 6h 8m on Angekommen: Needles 10/7, 5:30 a.m. 1890.
Abstract log. 20 × 41cm.
Morse Collection, 2566.

2002566.0001
140. Canadian Pacific Line

Map from a brochure entitled “The Canadian Pacific Ocean Services Limited: Atlantic Ser-vice,”
1910. 46.5 × 81 cm.
Morse Collection, 1737

2001737.0002
141. International Mercantile Marine

“Map of Europe with Information for Ocean Travelers, Containing Particulars of the American, Atlantic Transport, Dominion, Leyland, Red Star, White Star, White Star-Dominion Steamship Lines.”
1912. 72 × 62 cm.
Morse Collection, 2856

2002856.0001