That was certainly the custom in the 20th century. There did not seem to be any actual stewards as such on this voyage (see my reply to Piers). In fact, since the stated capacity of the Parthia was 150 First Class and 1000 Third class passengers I wonder how they managed! Perhaps this voyage was not at full capacity. David On 11/08/2015 15:02, Ruth wrote: > My Dad served in the Merchant Navy from 1926 to 1930 for the Lamport and > Holt line out of Liverpool. He was a "Steward" in first class. He told me > that his duties were to "look after" several passengers - not only wait on > them at table but look after their clothes, cabins , etc. One passenger, > who was on board from South America to Liverpool, told him he would get one > gold sovereign for each day at sea if he did a good job. At the end of the > trip he was given a leather pouch full of sovereigns..... He still had one > when he died in the 1980s. > > Ruth > >