American President Lines Ltd office (1953)

American President Lines Limited, ticket office, 1953.  The company's operation at this site started shortly after WWII, the exact date, however, is not known to me.  As for the location, it was close to water in Central, and likely also a cross-harbour ferry pier given a high number of ricksaws.

Until the arrival of cross-ocean air travel, this must have been a busy place for people who bought tickets to North America.  I was one of them though not part of the early wave.  The ticket office was small.  There were two counters and only one  was operating.  No waiting, it was a quiet day in early 1964.  I showed the man my Canada-issued travel Visa, paid him $341 US dollars, and received the ticket.  On travel day, many thoughts crossed my mind, and the walk by the Star House (first generation) and the small-gauge rail was unforgetable.

The 18 days on the ship was an entirely new experience.  The ticket included 3 meals/day and lodging.  The food was of Western style, less taste, so it took time to get used to.  Lodging was general quarter occupied by some 20 other men most of them in their 20s and 30s.  Our tickets were the cheapest and some who travelled with their wife put the lady in private room which cost more.  Mine was on top of one bunk bed not the comfortable one.  I was fascinated by their washing machine and dryer, and a lone sea gull  flying along side with no land in sight all around.

We stopped at Kobe and Yokohama, each time a one-half day to walk into town, sight seeing, then back to the ship. The third stop was Honolulu also a half day self-guided tour, and got a hair cut after the barber greeted me by waving his scissors.  The final stop was San Francisco where a US immgration official accompanied us (about 20 of us) on our train ride to Canada our final destination.

I can only imagine the repeated trips the early immigrants made going home to visit their family, and some going back to find a wife.

Regards,   Peter

Photo source: uwants.com - post #3266 by user 4rex - http://www.uwants.com/viewthread.php?tid=14833421&page=218#pid226228129