RMS Parisian Passenger List (6 April 1912): A Voyage Shadowed by the Titanic Disaster

📌 Explore the passenger list of the RMS Parisian (1912), which was just 50 miles from the Titanic disaster. Featuring emigrants, business professionals, and missionaries, this historical record is invaluable for genealogists, maritime historians, and Titanic researchers.

Front Cover of a Cabin Passenger List from the RMS Parisian of the Allan Line, Departing Saturday, 6 April 1912 from Glasgow to Halifax and Boston via Moville, Commanded by Captain William P. Hains. GGA Image ID # 204470aff7

This passenger list of the RMS Parisian was 50 miles from the Titanic on April 14, 1912. The Parisian was near the Titanic when the disaster occurred, but it did not immediately respond to the distress signals. While the Parisian was not directly involved in the rescue, its presence in the area highlights the coordination and cooperation among various ships during the tragedy.

The Baltic's operator overheard ice reports going to the Titanic from the Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm and the Amerika. In contrast, the Carpathia, on the same day, overheard the Parisian talking with other ships about ice. All hopes that any other vessel had been able to rescue any of the Titanic's passengers were practically abandoned Wednesday when it was announced that neither the Parisian nor the Virginian, which, on receipt of wireless calls for aid, had been speeding toward the scene of the colossal tragedy, had anyone on board.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain William P. Hains
2. Chief Officer: Daniel Darroch
3. Purser: James S. Shaw
4. Surgeon: Dr. John Brown
5. Chief Engineer: John A. Ferguson
6. Chief Steward: Arthur W. Dent
7. Stewardess: Mrs. Wright
8. Stewardess: Mrs. McPherson
9. Stewardess: Mrs. Pettigrew
10. Stewardess: Mrs. Wood

▓▓▓ "A" ▓▓▓

1. Miss Kate Abrahamson
2. Mr. James Aitken
3. Miss Annie S. Alexander
4. Mrs. Anderson
5. Mrs. Anderson and Two Children
6. Miss Edith A. Anderson
7. Miss Nettie Angus
8. Mr. John Annand

▓▓▓ "B" ▓▓▓

9. Miss A. Bailey
10. Mr. Stewart Bain
11. Miss Williamina Bain
12. Mr. Alex. C. Balmer
13. Mr. George Balmer
14. Mr. Walter Balmer
15. Miss R. Bingham
16. Mr. Alex. Birnie
17. Mr. James Black
18. Mrs. Black
19. Miss S. I. Blackstock
20. Mr. Tames A. H. Bowden
21. Mr. David Braid
22. Mrs. Braid
23. Miss A. Braid
24. Miss K. Braid
25. Mr. James Branker
26. Miss Katherine Branker
27. Miss Allies Branker
28. Miss Jane Breslin
29. Miss Agnes Breslin
30. Mr. Henry Breslin
31. Miss G. M. Brown
32. Miss S. E. Brown
33. Mr. Alex. B. Buchanan
34. Mrs. Bulloch, Child, and Infant
35. Miss Alice Burgess
36. Miss Annie Burnett
37. Miss Lizzie Burnett
38. Miss M. Butler
39. Miss J. Butler

▓▓▓ "C" ▓▓▓

40. Miss Lizzie Caddell
41. Mr. Alex. Cameron
42. Miss Elizabeth Cameron
43. Miss Margaret Cameron
44. Mr. John Campbell
45. Mrs. Carswell and Two Children
46. Mr. Thomas Chapman
47. Mrs. Chapman
48. Mr. M. N. Chatterjee
49. Miss Margaret Cheatley
50. Mr. Christian
51. Miss L. Clarke
52. Mr. Ben. Coburg
53. Mr. Wm. Coldwell
54. Mr. David Collins
55. Mrs. Collins
56. Miss Mary Congdon
57. Mr. J. Coulter
58. Mrs. Creech and Infant
59. Miss Ruby B. Cunningham

▓▓▓ "D" ▓▓▓

60. Mr. Thos. Davie
61. Miss Jessie Derby
62. Mr. David Dewar
63. Mr. Henry Dewar
64. Mrs. Dewar
65. Miss Jane Dewar
66. Miss Annie Dewar
67. Mr. James Dewar
68. Mr. Robert Dickson
69. Miss Annie L. Donald
70. Miss Kate Downie
71. Mr. Leo B. Doyle
72. Mr. Thomas Drever
73. Mrs. Drever
74. Mr. Thomas Dunsire
75. Miss Barbara Duthie

▓▓▓ "F" ▓▓▓

76. Miss Annie Ferguson
77. Mr. Archibald Ferguson
78. Mr. Donald Ferguson
79. Miss Katherine Ferguson
80. Mr. Wm. Ferguson
81. Mr. A. O. Fleming
82. Mrs. Funston

▓▓▓ "G" ▓▓▓

83. Mr. Albert Gibbon
84. Mr. Alex. Gibson
85. Miss Agnes Gibson and Child
86. Mr. J. J. Gibson
87. Mr. Robt. Gillespie
88. Mr. Peter Gillespie
89. Mr. Thos. D. Gold
90. Miss Isabella M. T. Gordon
91. Mr. Francis Gowan
92. Mr. John Graham
93. Mr. Robert Graham
94. Mr. James Grant
95. Mr. Robert F. Gray
96. Mr. Jas. B. Greig
97. Mr. George Groves

▓▓▓ "H" ▓▓▓

98. Mr. B. Hall
99. Mr. Andrew Hamilton
100. Miss Kate Hamilton
101. Miss Bella Hammond
102. Mr. Bob Hammond
103. Mr. James Hanley
104. Miss H. Harkin
105. Mr. Thomas Harris
106. Mrs. Harris
107. Miss S. E. Hatrick
108. Mr. Geo. Hemphill
109. Mr. R. Holmes
110. Miss Maggie A. Hood
111. Mr. Wm. F. Hunter
112. Mr. W. L. Hunter
113. Miss Flora Hutchison

▓▓▓ "I" ▓▓▓

114. Mr. James S. Ingram

▓▓▓ "J" ▓▓▓

115. Mr. Alf. Jackson
116. Mr. Jas. L. Jamieson
117. Mr. Samuel M. Jamieson
118. Mr. Alex. Johnston
119. Mr. Alex. Jones

▓▓▓ "K" ▓▓▓

120. Mr. Alex. Kennedy
121. Mrs. Kennedy and Two Children
122. Mr. David Kerr
123. Mr. Wm. Kerr
124. Miss N. C. Kilpatrick
125. Miss A. Kilpatrick

▓▓▓ "L" ▓▓▓

126. Mr. E. L. Lamont
127. Mr. George Lawrie
128. Mr. J. Lawrie
129. Mrs. Lawrie
130. Mr. Alex. Lawrie
131. Mr. Robert Leishman
132. Mr. James Leishman
133. Mr. Lewis Leslie
134. Mrs. Leslie
135. Mr. John Livingstone
136. Mrs. Logue, Two Children, and Infant
137. Mr. John Lyall

▓▓▓ "Mc/Mac" ▓▓▓

138. Mr. John McBride
139. Mrs. McBride and Four Children
140. Mrs. McCallum
141. Miss Cissie McCallum
142. Mr. John McCallum
143. Mr. Geo. R. MacClelland
144. Mr. John McCormiek
145. Miss Rose McEvoy
146. Mr. Wm. Macfie
147. Mrs. Macfie
148. Miss Bella McGlashan
149. Mr. James McGlashan
150. Mr. Robert McGowan
151. Mr. John McInnes
152. Miss Mary J. McIntosh
153. Mr. John McIntosh
154. Mrs. McKay
155. Mr. W. J. McKay
156. Master John McKay
157. Mr. K. McKenzie
158. Mr. Walter McKenzie
159. Mrs. McKenzie
160. Mr. Alex. McLennan
161. Mrs. McLennan
162. Mr. Hugh McLennan
163. Miss Jessie McLennan
164. Miss Mary McMillan
165. Miss Agnes McNeil
166. Mr. David John McNicoll
167. Mr. L. L. McPliait
168. Mrs. McPherson and Child
169. Miss Mary McPhie
170. Mr. Alex. J. McPhie

▓▓▓ "M" ▓▓▓

171. Miss Mary Mair
172. Miss Nettie Malcomson
173. Mr. Harry Malone
174. Mr. Ivie Meikle
175. Mrs. Miskimmins and Child
176. Mrs. Mitchell
177. Mr. Donald Murray
178. Mr. Janies Murray
179. Mr. Pat. S. Murray

▓▓▓ "O" ▓▓▓

180. Mr. Ernest Oliver

▓▓▓ "P" ▓▓▓

181. Miss C. Park
182. Mr. Archibald Paterson
183. Mr. Jas. Stewart Paton
184. Miss Mary Pattison
185. Miss Eliz. Jane Peckman
186. Miss Mary Perrie
187. Mr. H. Pringle
188. Mrs. Pringle

▓▓▓ "R" ▓▓▓

189. Mr. Robert Rae
190. Mrs. Rae and Two Children
191. Mr. John Ramage
192. Mr. James H. Rattray
193. Mr. Wm. Reddie
194. Mr. David Reid
195. Mr. G. Reid
196. Miss Mary Reid
197. Miss H. Rennie
198. Miss L. Rennie
199. Mr. Wm. Ritchie
200. Mr. Samuel W. Robertson
201. Mr. Wm. Young Robertson
202. Miss Robertson
203. Mr. Alex. Rock
204. Mr. Rogerson
205. Mrs. Rogerson and Child
206. Miss Jessie Ross
207. Mr. R. Routledge
208. Miss A. E. Rutherford

▓▓▓ "S" ▓▓▓

209. Miss H. M. Scott
210. Mr. Samuel Scott
211. Miss Jessie Sheriffs
212. Mrs. She wan and Infant
213. Mr. Adam Simpson
214. Mrs. Simpson
215. Mr. Wm. Simpson
216. Master Adam Simpson
217. Master Thos. Simpson
218. Master Robert Simpson
219. Mr. Wm. Sligo
220. Mrs. Smellie
221. Mr. Joseph Spence
222. Mr. Robert H. Steel
223. Mr. Hugh W. Steel
224. Miss Sophia Stephen
225. Mr. James F. Stevenson
226. Mr. James Matthew Stewart
227. Mr. Thomas Stobie
228. Mr. John A. Struthers
229. Miss A. M. H. Struthers
230. Mr. Alex. Sutherland
231. Mr. Charles Sutherland
232. Mr. David Sutherland
233. Mr. John Swan
234. Mr. James Syme

▓▓▓ "T" ▓▓▓

235. Mr. Robert S. Tait
236. Mr. Donald S. Tait
237. Misai E. M. Tasker
238. Mr. T. H. Taylor
239. Miss Annie Taylor
240. Mr. Wm. Taylor
241. Mr. R. Thomson
242. Mr. John Tosh
243. Miss M. Tulley

▓▓▓ "V" ▓▓▓

244. Mr. J. H. Veitch

▓▓▓ "W" ▓▓▓

245. Miss Elizabeth Walker
246. Mrs. Walker and Three Children
247. Miss Catherine Walker
248. Miss Elizabeth Wallace
249. Miss Isa McN. Wallace
250. Mr. Wm. Wardrop
251. Miss Barbara Watson
252. Mr. David Watson
253. Mr. Watson
254. Miss Watson
255. Miss Watson
256. Mr. Geo. O. Webster
257. Miss Mary Webster
258. Mr. Samuel Weir
259. Mr. James Wheelan
260. Mr. James Whyte
261. Mr. Frank Williamson
262. Mr. Allan Wilson
263. Miss Bessie Wilson
264. Mr. John Wilson
265. Mrs. Winning and Three Children
266. Mr. John Wisely
267. Miss M. A. Wodrow
268. Mr. H. Wood
269. Mrs. Wood
270. Mrs. Wotherspoon and Child
271. Mr. Wm. Wright

▓▓▓ "Y" ▓▓▓

272. Mr. James Young
273. Mr. James Young

Information for Passengers

Meals

• Breakfast 8:30 a.m.
• Luncheon 1:00 p.m.
• Dinner, 6:00 p.m.

When two sittings are necessary the hours are—;

First Sitting.

• Breakfast 7:30 a.m.
• Luncheon 12:30 p.m.
• Dinner 5:30 p.m.

Second Sitting.

• Breakfast 8:30 a.m.
• Luncheon 1:30 p.m.
• Dinner 6:30 p.m.

The Bar and the Smoke Room are closed at 11 p.m.

Deck Chairs can be hired at a cost of 3s. each for the single journey.

Cablegrams and Telegrams should be handed to the Purser or to his Assistant.

Stamps, Telegraph Forms, Books of Reference, and Railway Time Tables of the principal Companies are supplied by the Saloon Steward on application.

Baggage.—Questions relating to Baggage should be referred to the Third Officer, who is the Ship's Baggage Master. Trunks or Rugs which passengers may desire to leave in charge of the Company, should be properly labelled and handed to the Baggage Master on the wharf; and such articles will be stored entirely at owner's risk. It is necessary for passengers themselves to see all their Baggage passed by the Customs Authorities on landing.

Valuables or Money should be handed to the Purser for deposit in his safe. As no charge is made, the Company accepts no responsibility for loss or damage, however arising.

Receipts for Payments.—-Passengers are requested to ask for a receipt on the Company's Form for any additional Passage Money or extra baggage charges paid on board.

Letters addressed to passengers to the Company's care should be superscribed as follows : — Name Name of Steamer From (Sailing Port) on (Date of Sailing), c/o (Agents at Port of Embarkation or Debarkation).

Divine Service is held in the Saloon on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Title Page, RMS Parisian Cabin Passenger List, 6 April 1912. GGA Image ID # 22144be32d

List of Senior Officers and Staff, RMS Parisian Cabin Passenger List, 6 April 1912. GGA Image ID # 2214ab9e23

Information for Passengers, RMS Parisian Cabin Passenger List, 6 April 1912. GGA Image ID # 2215b0d833

Wireless Telegram Rates, RMS Parisian Cabin Passenger List, 6 April 1912. GGA Image ID # 20452c7d33

Track Chart Included With Allan Line RMS Parisian Cabin Passenger List from 6 April 1912. GGA Image ID # 20454c7636

Back Cover, Allan Line RMS Parisian Cabin Passenger List from 6 April 1912. GGA Image ID # 20455f041e

Passenger List Images Courtesy of Bill MacFie, 14 December 2023.

🌍 Voyage Overview: The RMS Parisian’s Fateful Journey

The RMS Parisian, an ocean liner operated by the Allan Line, embarked on its transatlantic voyage from Glasgow, Scotland, to Halifax and Boston on 6 April 1912, with a scheduled stop at Moville, Ireland. Commanded by Captain William P. Hains, the ship carried cabin-class passengers, including business professionals, scholars, emigrants, and families seeking new opportunities in North America.

This voyage is historically significant because the RMS Parisian was just 50 miles from the Titanic on April 14, 1912, when the disaster occurred. While not directly involved in the rescue operations, the Parisian was in communication with other ships discussing the dangerous ice conditions. The fact that it did not immediately respond to Titanic’s distress calls highlights the limitations of early 20th-century maritime coordination and wireless telegraphy.

👤 Notable Individuals on Board

The passenger list features a range of influential travelers, from scholars and government officials to business leaders and emigrants making life-changing journeys.

🏛️ Academia & Education

🔹 Mr. M. N. Chatterjee – Likely of Indian descent, Chatterjee’s presence on the Parisian suggests a connection to colonial education, administration, or business expansion into North America. His presence underscores the growing British-Indian engagement in global trade and academia during the early 20th century.

🔹 Mr. Robert F. Gray – His name suggests a possible link to education, publishing, or business management, possibly traveling for academic exchange or professional engagements in Boston or Halifax.

🎖️ Military & Government Officials

🔹 Mr. R. Holmes – Potentially a British military or colonial service officer, as the Holmes name was common among Scottish regiments and British administrators.

🔹 Mr. James Grant – Likely a British or Canadian government official, traveling either for administrative work or to oversee trade and migration policies.

⛪ Religious Figures & Missionaries

🔹 Miss Isabella M. T. Gordon – A name associated with religious missions, charity work, or Presbyterian outreach, possibly heading to Canada or the U.S. to aid immigrant communities.

🔹 Miss Jessie Ross & Miss Mary Renie – These passengers could have been involved in faith-based nursing, missionary work, or educational programs for new immigrants.

🛠️ Business & Industry

🔹 Mr. Archibald Paterson – The Paterson family was historically connected to banking and commerce, making it likely that Archibald was a business investor or trade specialist traveling for financial opportunities.

🔹 Mr. James Leishman & Mr. Robert Leishman – The Leishman name was well-known in shipping and engineering, meaning these passengers could have been shipbuilders, investors, or maritime industry professionals.

📜 Highlights from the Passenger List

This voyage reflects a broad spectrum of travelers, illustrating:

🔹 Families migrating for new opportunities, such as the Andersons, Fergusons, and McKenzies, who were among countless Scots seeking better lives in North America.

🔹 Business travelers engaging in transatlantic commerce, particularly in finance, trade, and shipbuilding.

🔹 Missionaries and religious leaders supporting new communities of Scottish and Irish immigrants in Canada and the U.S.

🔹 A connection to global affairs, as seen with M. N. Chatterjee, who represented a larger wave of Indian professionals and students traveling within the British Empire.

This list serves as a record of social and economic mobility, global migration, and cultural exchange during a critical period in history.

📸 Noteworthy Images from the Passenger List

These images provide historical depth and context to the voyage:

📖 Front Cover: A well-crafted passenger list cover, reflecting the Allan Line’s transatlantic prestige. (GGA Image ID # 204470aff7)

🗺️ Chart of Ships Near Titanic: A historic map showing ship positions near the Titanic disaster, revealing that the RMS Parisian was only 50 miles away on the night of April 14, 1912. (GGA Image ID # 20456be54a)

👨‍✈️ List of Senior Officers and Staff: Highlights Captain William P. Hains and other crew members, emphasizing the experienced leadership aboard the Parisian. (GGA Image ID # 2214ab9e23)

📜 Information for Cabin Passengers: Provides insight into onboard services, meals, and accommodations, depicting the cabin-class experience in 1912. (GGA Image ID # 2215b0d833)

📡 Wireless Telegram Rates: A fascinating look at early maritime communication, underscoring the challenges of coordinating emergency responses like the Titanic disaster. (GGA Image ID # 20452c7d33)

🗺️ Track Chart of the RMS Parisian’s Route: A rare document mapping the Parisian’s transatlantic voyage, offering valuable maritime historical insight. (GGA Image ID # 20454c7636)

🎨 Back Cover with Allan Line Logo: A visually striking emblem, representing the legacy and reputation of the Allan Line in early 20th-century ocean travel. (GGA Image ID # 20455f041e)

📚 Relevance of the RMS Parisian’s Voyage

This passenger list is a crucial historical artifact, relevant to multiple fields:

👨‍🏫 For Educators & Students – Serves as a primary source for studying migration, maritime history, and the global implications of the Titanic disaster.

📜 For Historians – Provides insight into economic migration, maritime communication, and the social composition of transatlantic travel in 1912.

🧬 For Genealogists – An indispensable tool for tracing Scottish, Irish, and British ancestors who emigrated to Canada and the U.S. during this period.

⚓ For Maritime Enthusiasts – Highlights the Parisian’s proximity to the Titanic disaster, offering a unique perspective on early maritime safety and navigation.

🔍 Key Features of the RMS Parisian

🔹 Launched: 1880

🔹 Operator: Allan Line (later merged into the Canadian Pacific Line)

🔹 Route: Glasgow → Moville → Halifax → Boston

🔹 Notable Feature: A sturdy, well-regarded liner with decades of service, particularly for emigrants and business travelers.

🔹 Historical Connection: The Parisian was one of the closest ships to the Titanic disaster, yet did not participate in the rescue due to delayed wireless communication.

🔮 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

The RMS Parisian’s April 1912 voyage is a historically significant moment in maritime history. Not only does it document the movement of emigrants, business professionals, and scholars, but it also places the Parisian near one of the greatest maritime disasters of all time.

This list represents the hopes and ambitions of those seeking new opportunities while also serving as a reminder of the limitations of early 20th-century maritime technology and coordination.

For genealogists, historians, and Titanic researchers, this passenger list provides an invaluable glimpse into a pivotal time in transatlantic history.