Sub-Project Transculturality in a Nutshell: Ships' Newspapers as Mirrors of Passenger Life on Intercontinental Steamers (MC 12.1)

Project Leader: Roland Wenzlhuemer

Time was passing slowly on intercontinental vessels during the nineteenth century. The days on open water were long and offered few distractions for ships’ passengers. Therefore, the compilation of ship newspapers became a popular pastime on board of many liners. While the organization and means of publication of these newspapers differed heavily, they shared one characteristic: they were produced by passengers for passengers. These publications are a rare source of information regarding everyday life aboard intercontinental ships as well as social microcosms and group formation processes on the move.