SS Seydlitz Archival Collection

The SS Seydlitz, operated by Norddeutscher Lloyd, was a notable passenger ship primarily used for transatlantic voyages during the early 20th century. The archives provide a comprehensive view of the ship's operations, passenger experiences, and its role in the era's immigration waves. The SS Seydlitz serviced routes between Europe, North America, and Australia, accommodating passengers from various backgrounds, including immigrants seeking new opportunities abroad.

Seydlitz (1903) North German Lloyd

Built by F. Schichau, Danzig, Germany. Tonnage: 7,942. Dimensions: 442' x 55'. Propulsion: Twin-screw, 14 1/2 knots. Triple expansion engines. Masts and Funnels: Two masts and one funnel. Passengers: 100 first, 100 second, 1,700 third. Services: (a) Germany- Australia-Far East, (b) Bremen-New York, (c) Bremen- Cuba. Fate: Scrapped in Germany, 1933. Sister ships: Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and Zieten.

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Cuba, Brasilian Ports, La Plata, or East Asia, from 10 October 1903 to 26 December 1903. Ships Included the Aachen, Bayern, Bonn, Coblenz, Crefeld, Erlangen, Gera, Halle, Heidelberg, Helgoland, Kiautschou, König Albert, Mainz, Norderney, Pfalz, Roland, Sachsen, Schleswig, Seydlitz, Wittenberg, and Wittekind. SS Kaiser Wilhelm II Cabin Passenger List, 6 October 1903. GGA Image ID # 2136dada84

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Australia, Genoa-New York-Genoa, Marseille-Naples-Alexandria-Naples-Marseille, from 17 May 1905 to 18 November 1905. Ships Included the Hohenzollern, König Albert, Königin Luise, Neckar, Prinzess Irene, Schleswig, Seydlitz, Stuttgart, Weimar, and Zieten. SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse First and Second Class Passenger List, 23 May 1905. GGA Image ID # 2108ac16c3

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Antwerp-Southampton-Gibraltar-Genoa, from 24 October 1906 to 13 August 1907. Ships Included the Barbarossa, Bremen, Bülow, Gneisenau, Göben, Hohenlohe, Preussen, Prinz Eitel Friedrich, Prinz Heinrich, Prinz Ludwig, Prinz Regent Luitpold, Prinzess Alice, Roon, Scharnhorst, Seydlitz, Yorck, and Zieten. SS Bremen Passenger List, 27 October 1906. GGA Image ID # 2140bda652

Sailing Schedule, Bremen or Hamburg to East Asia, from 11 October 1906 to 10 October 1907. Ships Included the Gneisenau, Preussen, Prinz Eitel Friedrich, Prinz Heinrich, Prinz Ludwig, Prinz-Regent Luipold, Prinzess Alice, Roon, Scharnhorst, Seydlitz, and Zieten. SS Bremen Passenger List, 27 October 1906. GGA Image ID # 2141e08ad5

Sailing Schedule, Breman-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Antwerp-Southampton-Gibraltar-Genoa, from 28 March 1907 to 8 January 1908. Ships Included the Bülow, Gneisenau, Goeben, Kleist, Preussen, Prinz Eitel Friedrich, Prinz Heinrich, Prinz Ludwig, Prinz Regent Luitpold, Prinzess Alice, Roon, Scharnhorst, Seydlitz, Yorck, and Zieten. SS Chemnitz Passenger List, 6 April 1907. GGA Image ID # 1f76a639e5

Sailing Schedule, Bremerhaven-Hamburg-Antwerp-Southampton-Gibraltar-Algiers-Genoa-Naples, from 15 March 1911 to 19 July 1911. Ships Included the Bülow, Derfflinger, Gneisenau, Kleist, Lützow, Prinz Eitel Friedrich, Prinz Ludwig, Prinzess Alice, Roon, Scharnhorst, Seydiltz, York, and Zieten. Ocean Gazette, 9 April 1911. GGA Image ID # 1ebae47737

Sailing Schedule, Australian Line, from 14 February 1912 to 14 February 1913. Ships Included the Bremen, Friedrich der Grosse, Gnisenau, Grosser Kurfürst, Königin Luise, Roon, Scharnhorst, Seydlitz, and Zieten. SS Berlin First and Second Cabin Passenger List, 20 January 1912. GGA Image ID # 20d93b548f. Click to View Larger Image.

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Boulogne-Southampton-New York and New York-Plymouth, Cherbourg-Bremen, from 18 January 1914 to 8 June 1914. Ships Included the Barbarossa, Bremen, George Washington, Gneisenau, Grosser Kurfürst, Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, Kaiser Wilhelm II, Kronprinz Wilhelm, Kronprinzessin Cecilie, König Albert, Prinz Friedrick Wilhelm, and Seydlitz. SS Grosser Kurfürst Passenger List, 8 Novmeber 1913. GGA Image ID # 1f67b544a2

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Philadelphia, from 18 September 1913 to 2 April 1914. Ships Included the Brandenburg, Breslau, Chemnitz, Frankfurt, Main, Neckar, Seydlitz, Willehad, and Wittekind. SS Grosser Kurfürst Passenger List, 8 November 1913. GGA Image ID # 1f682ff461

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-New York, from 12 May 1923 to 7 November 1923. Ships Included the Bremen, Hannover, München, Seydlitz, Sierra Ventana, and Yorck. SS Bremen Passenger List, 12 May 1923. GGA Image ID # 1f85fbe54d

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Halifax and Philadelphia-Baltimore, from 18 May 1927 to 4 November 1927. Ships Included the Bremen, Derfflinger, Lützow, Seydlitz, and Sierra Ventana. SS Columbus Passenger List, 18 May 1927. GGA Image ID # 1f869a4d2a

Westbound Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Southampton-Cherbourg-Queenstown-New York, from 27 August 1927 to 8 December 1927. Ships Included the Berlin, Bremen, Columbus, Derfflinger, Dresden, Lützow, München, Seydiltz, Sierra Ventana, Stuttgart, and Yorck. SS Stuttgart Passenger List, 27 August 1927. GGA Image ID # 1f00317ac4

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Halifax and Bremen-Antwerp-Los Angeles-San Francisco-Portland-Seattle-Tacoma-Vancouver, from 2 August 1927 to 29 November 1927. Ships Included the Bremen, Justin, Limar, Schwaben, Seydlitz, Westfalen, Witell, and Yorck. SS Stuttgart Passenger List, 27 August 1927. GGA Image ID # 1f007cbc02

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Havana-Galveston, from 5 June 1928 to 4 February 1929. Ships Included the Seydlitz and Yorck. SS Columbus Passenger List, 28 July 1928. GGA Image ID # 1e60d64701

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Southampton, Cherbourg, and Queenstown (Cobh), from 28 July 1928 to 30 December 1928. Ships Included the Berlin, Columbus, Dresden, Karlsruhe, Lützow, München, Seyditz, Sierra Cordoba, Stuttgart, and Yorck. SS Columbus Passenger List, 28 July 1928. GGA Image ID # 1e609f3c10

Sailing Schedule, New York to Bremen via Queenstown (Cobh), Plymouth, Cherbourg, Southampton, and Bologne-sur-Mer, from 27 July 1928 to 13 January 1929. Ships Included the Berlin, Columbus, Dresden, Karlsruhe, Lützow, München, Seyditz, Sierra Cordoba, Stuttgart, and Yorck. SS Columbus Passenger List, 28 July 1928. GGA Image ID # 1e60c12f58

Sailing Schedule, Norddeutscher Lloyd Canadian Service, from 16 July 1928 to 15 December 1928. Ships Included the Crefeld, Köln, München, Seydlitz, and Stuttgart. Service to the West Coast of North America, from 18 August 1928 to 25 October 1928. Ships Included the Spree, Witell, and Witram. SS Columbus Passenger List, 28 July 1928. GGA Image ID # 1e60c1ad2b

Sailing Schedule, Bremen to New York, from 13 April 1929 to 26 September 1929. Ships Included the Berlin, Bremen, Columbus, Dresden, Karlsruhe, München, Seydlitz, Stuttgart, and Yorck. SS Columbus Passenger List, 13 April 1929. GGA Image ID # 1e63b9221a

Sailing Schedule, Bremen to New York, from 11 April 1929 to 5 October 1929. Ships Included the Berlin, Bremen, Columbus, Dresden, Karlsruhe, München, Seydlitz, Stuttgart, and Yorck. SS Columbus Passenger List, 13 April 1929. GGA Image ID # 1e640b97ed

Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Havana-Galveston, from 4 April 1929 to 29 December 1929. Ships Included the Seydlitz and Yorck. SS Columbus Passenger List, 13 April 1929. GGA Image ID # 1e6452054a

Conclusion

The SS Seydlitz stands as a significant vessel in the history of immigration and ocean travel. It not only transported passengers across vast distances but also served as a crucial link for immigrants traveling to new homes. The ship's detailed archival records, including menus, passenger lists, and immigration control cards, offer invaluable insights into the experiences of those who sailed aboard. These documents highlight the cultural and social aspects of maritime travel during this period, illustrating the diverse stories of hope and aspiration carried by the ship's passengers.

Key Points

• 🌍 Global Routes: The SS Seydlitz operated on various routes, including Bremen to New York, Bremen to Philadelphia, and voyages to Australian ports such as Fremantle.

• 🧳 Immigration Control: The ship carried immigrants who were issued control cards, like the 1913 Australian Immigration Control Card, highlighting the formal procedures involved in international travel at the time.

• 🍽️ Dining Experience: The ship's menus reflected a variety of cuisines, with documented meals like Filet Mignon and Strawberry Ice-Cream, showcasing the luxury provided to passengers.

• 🚢 Ship Specifications: Built in Danzig in 1902, the SS Seydlitz was a steel twin-screw steamer known for its durability and reliability.

• 📜 Passenger Records: Detailed passenger lists and inspection cards provide information on the diverse group of individuals who traveled aboard, including steerage passengers and first-class travelers.

• 📅 Sailing Schedules: The ship's schedules included routes from European ports to North American destinations, facilitating both passenger travel and cargo transport.

• 💼 Documentation and Procedures: The archives contain various immigration-related documents, illustrating the formal processes required for international travel during the early 20th century.

• 🎨 Cultural Representation: The SS Seydlitz played a role in the broader cultural and historical context of its time, reflecting the global movements and exchanges of people.

• 🛳️ Vintage Menus: The archival collection includes a variety of vintage menus, providing a glimpse into the culinary offerings available on board.

• 🌐 Historical Context: The ship's operations and records are set against the backdrop of significant historical events, including mass immigration and global conflicts.

Summary

1. Transatlantic and Global Routes: The SS Seydlitz served as a key vessel in connecting Europe with the Americas and Australia, facilitating significant passenger and cargo movement.

2. Immigrant Passengers: The ship transported many immigrants, as evidenced by the extensive records of immigration control cards and passenger lists.

3. Culinary Offerings: The luxurious dining experience on the SS Seydlitz included a variety of meals, showcasing the high standard of service provided.

4. Ship's Build and Reliability: Built in 1902, the SS Seydlitz was known for its sturdy construction and reliable service, a hallmark of Norddeutscher Lloyd's fleet.

5. Passenger Documentation: Detailed records of passengers, including immigration inspection cards, offer a wealth of historical data for genealogical research.

6. Varied Destinations: The ship's schedules indicate a wide range of destinations, including transatlantic voyages and trips to Australia, highlighting its global reach.

7. Historical Significance: The SS Seydlitz played a role in the broader narrative of early 20th-century immigration and international travel.

8. Cultural Insights: The ship's operations and passenger experiences provide valuable cultural insights into the period's maritime history.

9. Luxurious Experience: The availability of vintage menus and other onboard amenities reflects the luxurious experience offered to passengers.

10. Archival Value: The GG Archives' collection of documents related to the SS Seydlitz provides an important resource for understanding the complexities of early 20th-century ocean travel.