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Emigrant voyages from the UK to North America and Australasia, 1853–1913

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  • Timothy J. Hatton

Abstract

Studies of the determinants of emigration from Europe from 1850 to 1913 include the gains to migrants but often neglect the costs. One component of those costs is earnings forgone on the voyage. In this paper, I present new data on the voyage times for emigrants from the UK traveling to the United States and to Australia. Between 1853–7 and 1909–13 the voyage time from Liverpool to New York fell from 38 days to just 8 days (or 79 per cent). Over the same years, the emigrant voyage to Sydney fell by more in absolute terms, from 105 days to 46, but by less in relative terms (56 per cent). Differences in profiles of travel times are explained with a focus on the transition from sailing to steam ships and (for Australia) the use of the Suez Canal. Data series for fare prices and foregone wage costs during transit are combined to create new series on the ‘total’ cost of emigrant voyages. Econometric analysis of the determinants of UK emigration to the United States, Canada, and Australia supports the view that time costs mattered.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy J. Hatton, 2025. "Emigrant voyages from the UK to North America and Australasia, 1853–1913," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 78(2), pages 452-473, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ehsrev:v:78:y:2025:i:2:p:452-473
    DOI: 10.1111/ehr.13351
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    1. repec:osf:socarx:7vfxn_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Hatton, Timothy J., 2024. "The political economy of assisted immigration: Australia 1860–1913," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Timothy J. Hatton, 2025. "The Economic Demography of Intercontinental Migration," CEH Discussion Papers 04, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    4. Uysal, Sezgin & Celebi, Ismail, 2024. "Emigration Dynamics and Transatlantic Voyage from Austria-Hungary to the U.S. between 1840 to 1910," SocArXiv 7vfxn, Center for Open Science.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • N73 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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