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Story: The voyage out

Steerage passengers eating dinner

Image
Steerage passengers eating dinner

Here steerage passengers are portrayed eating dinner on board an emigrant ship of the 1850s. The trestle tables at which they are seated extend along the centre of the steerage space, while bunks line either side.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: A-109-054

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

John Wilson, The voyage out – Life on board, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/4237/steerage-passengers-eating-dinner (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John Wilson, published 4 March 2009.