Setting Sail on the RMS Majestic in 1896
This post explores the trans-Atlantic journey from England to New York City in 1896.
It’s February 26th, 1896, and the Wright siblings sailed from Liverpool, England, to Canada aboard the RMS Majestic, one of the most luxurious steamships of its time. As they settle into their cabins, they take a moment to write to Mother and Father. Harold describes the journey in great detail, from the rough sea weather to life aboard the ship.
RMS Majestic
The RMS Majestic was a White Star Line ocean liner, known as the largest ship in the world until 1895. It was widely used by British emigrants heading to Canada and the United States during the late 19th century. These letters offer a rare and personal glimpse into the journey aboard this famous steamship. Learn more about the RMS Majestic here.
Most notable about the RMS Majestic is its Captain. You may remember the name Captain Edward J. Smith? He was later the captain of the Titanic, who famously went down with the ship. Learn more about Captain Edward J. Smith here.
Immigrating to Canada in 1896: A Personal Perspective
The Wrights came through the Port of New York like many other immigrants of their time. Large steamships, such as the RMS Majestic, played significant roles in immigration. As the Wrights were in the 2nd class cabins, they did not get inspected the same as the rest of the passengers. If you could afford first or second-class tickets, it was believed you were noble enough not to be a concern. The Ellis Island Passenger Search database can be found here. Although you can learn a lot from these records, they aren’t always accurate. The records do show that they all sailed to New York with the intention of working as farmers in Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada.
In the immigration records, May is listed separately from her brothers. Her age is listed as 17 years old, although she is consistently recorded in the census records as being born in 1873, which would make her about 23 here. She is also listed as an American citizen, contrary to all her other government records. Her brother William “Cecil” is listed as 19, Harold as 18, and their brother John “Jack” Howard as 21, and all as English citizens. May doesn’t have an occupation according to these records, while her three brothers are listed as farmers bound for Agassiz for an extended stay.
Letters
May’s Letter to Mother -February 26, 1896
RMS Majestic
My dearest Mother,
We are fairly off, everything seems very comfortable. We went into dinner directly after we parted with you. We have a nice stewards and the cooking seems good but not a great variety; the salon is about half full for the second meal.The stewardess says there is some mistake about my cabin, she thinks the children will be moved. The boys are in the smoking room now, but I suspect they will write later.
How wonderfully improved Willie seemed, he really is quite nice & looks a gentleman. There doesn’t seem to be a great many saloon passengers. There isn’t much to tell you about so soon, I am sitting in the library & strangers are talking.
A parcel has just come for me from Aunt Leila, the silk handkerchief. Will you let her know it arrived all right & thank her for it.
With ever so much love from your loving daughter,
May Wright.
May’s Letter to Mother- February 27, 1896
RMS Majestic
My dear Mother,
We have got as far as Queenstown all right and that has been like a dream the whole way. We got in about 6 ‘clock this morning and do not leave till 1. All this morning there have been some rowboats alongside selling shawls, lace, stiches and things. Everything seems very comfortable, and the food is good but plain, both our stewards seem nice men so I do not think we shall have a bad time.
I must not write anymore as the tender is coming to take the orders.With all my love,
Your affectionate daughter,
May Wright
Harold’s Letter to Father- February 27, 1896
My dear Father,
My pocket-book with my order for the C.P.R has been stolen. I do not know yet whether I can get it back yet or not. But if I cannot what had I better do.
Can you take any steps to stop it.
Harold.
Why Letters Like These Matter to British Columbia History
The Hazeley Letters offer a rare and unusually detailed record of everyday settler life in Agassiz during the late nineteenth century. Unlike official records, newspapers, or promotional literature, these private family letters capture how ordinary people experienced migration, work, weather, community, and celebration in real time.
Preserved today at the Agassiz-Harrison Museum & Archives, the Hazeley Letters survived only narrowly. Their survival allows historians like myself to reconstruct aspects of local history that would otherwise remain invisible. By transcribing and contextualizing these letters, we gain insight not only into the Wright family’s experiences, but into the broader rhythms of settler life in British Columbia in 1897.
Related Hazeley Letter Posts
- The Odd Fellows Ball: Dancing Until Dawn in Agassiz, British Columbia (1896)
- Gold Mines and a Winter Trip to Yale, B.C.
- Disasters and Daily Life in Agassiz, BC, 1896: Floods, Train Crash, Wagon Accident, and Mosquito Plague
Editorial Note: How These Letters Are Used
The letters reproduced in this post are transcribed verbatim from original manuscripts held at the Agassiz-Harrison Museum & Archives. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation have been preserved to maintain the integrity of the original documents. Editorial introductions and historical context have been added to assist modern readers and to situate the letters within the broader social and historical landscape of nineteenth-century British Columbia.
This post forms part of an ongoing research and transcription project examining the Hazeley Letters and the Wright family’s settlement in the Fraser Valley.
Jodie Foerster is a history student at the University of the Fraser Valley and a Museum Assistant and Researcher at the Agassiz-Harrison Museum and Archives. She specializes in British Columbia's settler history and archival storytelling. Learn more on the About page
