Coming To America

S.S. Canada

One of the biggest brick walls in my genealogy research has been the lack of

information available on my paternal grandfather. As an orphaned infant who

somehow aquired the surname Morosca, my search on him was fruitless. You

 can only imagine my surprise when I went to Ellis Island's online Family History

Center and found the ship that he came to America on by simply typing in his

 name. I was even able to view a copy of the ship's original passenger list

which had his name & other information about him on it.

americo (vito) Morosca

passenger #20

   Name:                 Vito Morosca

    Ethnicity:              Italy

    Date Of Arrival:     May 25, 1914

    Age:                    33y

    Gender:                M

    Marital Status:       M

    Ship Of Travel:      Canada

    Port Of Departure:  Naples, Campania, Italy

The passenger list states that his passage was paid for by "himself"

and his final destination was "his brother-in-law Devincentis, Fillipo

at 158 Hughes Street in Hackensack, N.J." It also stated that he

was 5'4" tall, had light hair, a fair complexion and grey eyes.

A brief description of the S.S. Canada is below:

Built by Forges & Chantiers de la Mediterranee, La Seyne, France, 1911.

9,648 gross tons; 476 (bp) feet long; 56 feet wide. Steam triple expansion

engines, twin screw. Service speed 15½ knots. 2, 166 passengers (120 first

class, 196 second class, 1,850 third class). Built for Fabre Line, French flag

in 1911 and named Canada. Mediterranean-New York Service. Used as a

hospital ship during World War II. Ended service in 1952.