Stowaways Collection

Our Stowaway (engraving)
1622885 Our Stowaway (engraving) by Cox, Edward Morant (19th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Our Stowaway. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 8 November 1884)

Stowaway - Caption reads
3776072 Stowaway - Caption reads: by Browne, Gordon Frederick (1858-1932); (add.info.: Stowaway-Caption reads: They saw the ragged figure of a young stowaway. c. 1931)

The Tide of Emigration to the United States and to the Colonies (engraving)
1096652 The Tide of Emigration to the United States and to the Colonies (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Green Banana Cockroach (Panchlora nivea) introduced species, stowaway within shipment of produce, most likely bananas, adult, cleaning leg, Belvedere, Bexley, Kent, England, November

French stowaways WWI
French stowaways on transport at Gallipoli during World War I

Searching for Stowaways on board an Emigrant Ship, 1850
Engraving showing the crew of an emigrant ship searching their vessel for stowaways prior to departure for America, 1850

Breakfast for Emigrants
Searching for stowaways before the emigrant ship sets sail for America

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Our 'Stowaway' engraving reveals a shocking discovery: Five illegal passengers hidden in the hold of a Greek steamship on the high seas. This historic image, titled "Stowaway - Caption reads," is a stark reminder of the lengths people went to in pursuit of new opportunities, as depicted in the related engraving, "The Tide of Emigration to the United States and to the Colonies." But stowaways weren't just people; unwitting passengers included the Green Banana Cockroach (Panchlora nivea), an introduced species that hitched rides within shipments of produce, most likely bananas. This tiny pest, shown in multiple instances in the image, became a significant agricultural pest in the Americas. History also records instances of French stowaways during WWI, who risked their lives to escape the horrors of war by hiding aboard ships bound for the United States. And in the 1850s, searching for stowaways on board an emigrant ship was a common practice to ensure the safety and health of passengers. Lastly, the image, "Breakfast for Emigrants," serves as a poignant reminder that every journey, whether voluntary or not, comes with its challenges and surprises. The tales of these stowaways, human and insect alike, are a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the unpredictability of the world around us.