Object Record
Images
Additional Images [6]
Metadata
Object ID # |
1963.032.002 |
Object Name |
Box, Money |
Title |
Fare Box from the Steamer CITY OF WINDSOR |
Lexicon category |
5: T&E For Science & Technology |
Year Range from |
1896 |
Year Range to |
1915 |
Made |
Unknown |
Place of Origin |
Unknown |
Description |
A brass and leather-sided, hand-held fare collection box that was used by the steamer CITY OF WINDSOR (which used to call at Owen Sound, Grey County). It was patented in 1895 & 1896. The box is handled. Behind the handle, the box has two rows of circular perforations at each side. Underneath the handle is a hinged, locking door, which gives access to the money trap. The door is impressed with "Steamer City of Windsor". The exterior of the fare box has brown tanned leather sides and brass-edged reinforcement corners that are rivetted to the box. One leather side has a 5 cm x 6.1 cm blank brass plate secured with six rivets. It is not engraved like the money trap door, but it was informally etched at some point with "1570" and what looks like the initials of "LR". The other leather side has a stitched-on leather pocket, which has an "x in a rectangle" design tooled on it. At the top of the box is a clear glass viewing window on the top and front sides. Observed within is a steel bell gong, and a chute to the money trap. There is a 3 cm-long coin slot. |
Makers mark |
No maker's name, just patent dates from 1895 and 1896. |
Provenance |
Maker unknown. The fare box was specifically used by the S. S. CITY OF WINDSOR, a steamship that called at Owen Sound, Grey County. Its manufacturer is unknown, but it has patent dates on it from 1895 & 1896. The steamer steam ship was active at Owen Sound circa 1910. In 1900, the popular purser of the ship was Nicholas J. Cole. Last owned by Roma Sargent of Owen Sound, Grey County. |
Collection |
Transportation, Water: Accessory Collection |
Material |
Brass/Leather/Metal/Glass/Thread |
Dimensions |
H-20.5 W-6.8 L-14.3 cm |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
McLauchlan, Joseph Kent Sargent, Eddie Sargent, Roma Cole, Nicholas J. |
Subjects |
Steamships Coins |
Search Terms |
S. S. City of Windsor Owen Sound Harbour |
Function |
A marine worker (perhaps the purser?) would hold this item in one of his hands and have passengers of the steamer drop their coins into it to pay the fare. This fare box was used aboard the S. S. CITY OF WINDSOR, which made runs out of Owen Sound in the early 20th-century. Scott Cameron, in his book THE FRANCES SMITH: PALACE STEAMER OF THE UPPER GREAT LAKES 1867-1896 describes a purser’s job on p. 78 as the person who handled all the money, tickets and administrative tasks, including payment of the crew, loading manifests and custom clearances. He would also record reserved and pre-paid tickets, and cabin allocations. |