RMS Pretorian Passenger List (7 September 1912): A Voyage of Migration, Academia, and Faith
📌 Explore the passenger list of the RMS Pretorian (1912), featuring professors, religious leaders, and emigrants on their journey from Scotland to Canada. A historical resource for genealogists, historians, and maritime researchers.
Front Cover, Cabin Passenger List for the RMS Pretorian of the Allan Line, Departing Saturday, 7 September 1912 from Glasgow to Québec and Montréal, Commanded by Captain Gavin Hamilton. GGA Image ID # 98aa6329af
RMS Pretorian of the Allan Line c1898. © Detroit Publishing Co. No. 022377.
Senior Officers and Staff
- Commander: Captain Gavin Hamilton
- Chief Officer: David Kinnear
- Purser: Ivie Alexander
- Surgeon: Dr. Simon P. Clark
- Chief Engineer: John S. Cumming
- Chief Steward: William Gamble
- Matron: Mrs. Winks
- Stewardess: Mrs. Fergus
Cabin Passengers (Name, Room-Berth)
- Miss M. H. Acheson 23-3
- Mrs. Adams and Child 10-2,3
- Miss E. Anderson 18-3
- Mrs. Anderson 43-2
- Master J. Anderson 43-Sofa
- Mrs. Armour and Two Children 59-2,3,4
- Mr. John A. Armstrong 17-1
- Mr. L. C. Ashton 11
- Mr. H. Ashton 11
- Mr. George Ashton 11
- Mrs. J. Bell and Child 16-1,2
- Mrs. Bethune, Child, and Infant 31
- Miss Clara Blake 66-1
- Miss C. Blake 66-2
- Miss Jessie Brennan 57-3
- Mr. Robert Brown 63-2
- Miss Janet M. Byers 53-4
- Miss Annie L. Byrd 70-1
- Mr. A. H. Cameron 30-2
- Mr. Duncan Cameron 40-4
- Miss A. Campbell 47-2
- Mrs. Chalmers 68-1
- Mrs. Chalmers and Two Children 50-2,3
- Mrs. Chalmers and Three Children 60-1,2,3
- Miss Helen Chalmers 60-4
- Mr. Peter Charleston 9
- Mrs. Charleston 9
- Miss E. Colquhoun 65-1
- Mrs. Cruickshanks and Infant 55-1
- Miss T. Cunningham 14-1
- Miss A. D. Davison 71-2
- Mr. Adam Deans 32-1
- Mrs. Dear 7-2
- Miss Dougherty 54-2
- Miss Leela Dove 44-4
- Mr. James Doyle 40-3
- Miss G. J. Emslie 34-1
- Miss Sarah Fender 18-1
- Miss Jane Flanigan 52-2
- Miss F. Folk 70-2
- Miss Nellie Fotheringham 50 1
- Mrs. Fullerton and Child 2
- Miss A. Galloway 16-3
- Prof. S. B. Gass 15-1
- Miss J. D. Gibson 34-3
- Miss A. E. Glass 39
- Miss May Glass 39
- Miss C. Grans 65-2
- Miss M. D. Gray 23-1
- Miss A. J. Gordon 55-4
- Miss Mary Guthrie 34-4
- Mrs. Hamilton 5
- Miss J. Hamilton 5
- Mr. F. J. Hancox 25
- Mrs. Hancox 25
- Mrs. Hanson 10-1
- Mr. David Harcus 32-2
- Mrs. Hayne 68-2
- Miss Eliza C. Hogarth 34-2
- Dr. E. Hooper 63-3
- Miss E. Hooper 64-2
- Mrs. Hunter 50-4
- Mrs. Hyslop. Two Children, and Infant 33
- Prof. R. O. Joliffe 3-1
- Miss H. Katznia 46-4
- Miss Agnes Kearney 53-3
- Mr. Charles J. Kidd 58-2
- Miss Florence King 46-1
- Mr. Robert Kirkwood 15-2
- Prof. Libby 12A
- Mrs. Libby I2A
- Mrs. Little 55-3
- Mrs. McBirnie and Child 37-2, Sofa
- Miss S. McCulloch 22-2
- Miss C. McDonald 19-2
- Miss Frances McDonald 38-2
- Miss Gladys McGee 66-3
- Miss J. C. McGregor 22-1
- Rev. Murdoch McKenzie 4
- Mrs. McKenzie 4
- Mr. Douglas McKenzie 4
- Mary McLeod 23-2
- Mr. Neil MacLeod 62
- Mrs. MacLeod and Two Children 62
- Mr. Thomas T. McNaier 30-1
- Mr. Alex. Maltman 49-1
- Mrs. Maltman 49-2
- Mr. A. J. May 30-4
- Mrs. Mayes 67-2
- Mr. Wm. Mein 32-3
- Mr. Adam Michie 63-1
- Mr. John W. Miller 29
- Mrs. Miller 29
- Miss Emma Moon 44-3
- Mrs. Morgan 46-3
- Mrs. Morgan and Child 52-3,4
- Miss M. Morton 38-3
- Mrs. Muir and Two Children 56
- Miss S. Munroe 38-1
- Mr. A. H. Murby 30-3
- Mr. Thos. M. Murray 61
- Mrs. Murray and Three Children 61
- Mr. B. Olsen 26
- Mrs. Olsen 26
- Miss Agnes Oram 37-1
- Mr. James Patterson 58-3
- Miss K. Perrin 71-1
- Mrs. Pirie, Child, and Infant 53-1,2
- Mr. James K. Prain 41-2
- Miss Agnes Purrington 44-1
- Mrs. Querns and Two Children 35
- Miss Helen Reddie 20-3
- Miss A. J. Reddie 20-4
- Mr. James Reddie 32-4
- Miss Evelyn Rice 46-2
- Miss A. Richardson 47-1
- Mrs. Rivers 67-1
- Mr. Rose 41-1
- Mrs. Ruttan 45-2
- Mr. Jas. P. Scott 63-4
- Mrs. Semple 55 2
- Miss M. D. Sexton 14 2
- Mrs. Sharpe 7-1
- Miss Alice Shupp 44-2
- Miss G. E. Skene 18-2
- Miss Annie Skene 18-4
- Mr. R. VV. Smith 6
- Mrs. Smith and Child 6
- Mr. S. P. Smith 21-1
- Miss Georgina Smith 38-4
- Miss Georgia Smith 42-1
- Miss M. Springate 59-1
- Mr. Charles Sproule 40-2
- Mr. F. M. Sterry 17-2
- Miss C. Stewart 57-4
- Mr. George Stewart 58-4
- Miss M. E. Surbray 69-1
- Miss L. R. Swan 19-4
- Mr. Wm. Thomson 21-2
- Mrs. E. Thomson 43-1
- Mrs. Thorne and Two Children 24-3,4
- Mrs. Turnbull 14-3
- Miss Pauline Tweeddale 69-2
- Miss Walkley 54-1
- Mrs. Wallace 24-1
- Miss B. Wallace 24-2
- Mr. R. E. Walsh 27
- Mrs. Walsh and Child 27
- Rev. A. Watkins 36
- Mrs. Watkins 36
- Mrs. Whyte 20-1
- Miss C. Whyte 20-2
- Miss Margt. Wilkie 19-1
- Miss Muriel K. Willcocks 12-1
- Miss Annie G. Wilson 57-1
- Mrs. R. G. Wilson 57-2
- Prof. N. R. Wilson 3-2
- Mr. Frank Woodruff 58-1
- Miss E. A. Woodsworth 45-1
- Mr. George Wylie 40-1
- Miss Annie Young 52-1
Information For Passengers.
- 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.
WIRELESS TELEGRAM RATES. (SUBJECT TO ALTERATION.)
CANADA.—The minimum Marconi Rate via Belle Isle, Chateau Bay, Point Amour, Point Rich, Whittle Rocks, Heath Point, Fame Point, Cape Ray, or through the medium of a passing steamer and one of these stations, is 8s. 4d. for ten words. Each extra word 6d.; text only counted; address and signature free; land charges additional; all charges must be prepaid.
The minimum Marconi Rate via Cape Race, or through the medium of a passing steamer and this station, is 12s. 6d. for ten words. Each extra word 9d.; text only counted; address and signature free; land charges additional; all charges must be prepaid.
The minimum Marconi Rate via Sable Island, Cape Sable, and St. John, or through the medium of a passing steamer and one of these stations, is 16s. 8d. for ten words. Each extra word 6d.; text only counted; address and signature free; land charges additional; all charges must be prepaid.
UNITED KINGDOM.—The minimum Marconi Rate via Malin Head, or other station in the United Kingdom, or through the medium of a passing steamer, is 10d. per word; every word in address, text, and signature counted; land charges additional; all charges must be prepaid.
SHIP TO SHIP.—Minimum rate is 8d. per word; every word in address, text, and signature counted; and all charges must be prepaid.
Marconi's Wireless Telegrams for transmission to passengers on trans- Atlantic liners fitted with Marconi apparatus received at the offices of the Compagnie Français Maritime et Coloniale de Télégraphie Sans Fil (système Marconi), 35 Boulevard des Capucines, opposite Rue Scribe, Paris, where all information can be obtained.
All The Allan Line Passenger Steamers are fitted with Marconi's system of Wireless Telegraphy.
Title Page, SS Pretorian Cabin Passenger List, 7 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 2120e14f06
The New Allan Liners "Alsatian" and Calgarian." Part 1 of 2. SS Pretorian Cabin Passenger List, 7 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 21211f69c6
The New Allan Liners "Alsatian" and Calgarian." Part 2 of 2. SS Pretorian Cabin Passenger List, 7 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 212163b860
List of Senior Officers and Staff, SS Pretorian Cabin Passenger List, 7 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 21216bc00f
Wireless Telegram Rates, SS Pretorian Cabin Passenger List, 7 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 2121d93798
Route Map and Chart of the Atlantic, SS Pretorian Cabin Passenger List, 7 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 2121e71c3d. Click to View a Larger Image.
Back Cover with Colorful Allan Line Logo, SS Pretorian Cabin Passenger List, 7 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 2122631a8c
Passenger List Images Contributed by Chris Crofts, December 2023-January 2024.
🚢 Review & Summary of the RMS Pretorian Passenger List – 7 September 1912 🛳️
🌍 Voyage Overview: The RMS Pretorian’s Transatlantic Journey
The RMS Pretorian, a prominent ocean liner of the Allan Line, embarked on a transatlantic voyage from Glasgow, Scotland, on 7 September 1912, destined for Québec and Montréal, Canada. Under the command of Captain Gavin Hamilton, this cabin-class voyage carried a diverse group of travelers seeking opportunities in North America.
The Pretorian, built in 1898, was part of the Allan Line’s expanding fleet, known for its reliable Atlantic crossings and role in passenger migration. This journey took place at a pivotal moment in global migration, with thousands leaving Europe for Canada and the United States.
For many aboard, this voyage marked the beginning of a new chapter, whether in business, academia, religious missions, or family reunification.
👤 Notable Individuals on Board
This passenger list includes intriguing individuals across various fields, from professors and religious leaders to emigrants and professionals.
🏛️ Academia & Education
🔹 Prof. S. B. Gass (Room 15-1) – Likely a distinguished academic, possibly specializing in science, history, or economics, indicative of transatlantic educational collaboration.
🔹 Prof. R. O. Joliffe (Room 3-1) – A name potentially linked to engineering or medical studies, suggesting academic exchange between Britain and Canada.
🔹 Prof. Libby & Mrs. Libby (Room 12A) – The presence of multiple professors indicates intellectual exchange, possibly for lecturing or research purposes.
🔹 Prof. N. R. Wilson (Room 3-2) – His inclusion further highlights the significance of academic migration during this period.
🎖️ Military & Government Officials
🔹 Mr. James K. Prain (Room 41-2) – Possibly linked to government work, as many British and Scottish officials traveled to oversee colonial administration or commercial affairs in Canada.
⛪ Religious Figures & Missionaries
🔹 Rev. Murdoch McKenzie (Room 4) & Family – A Presbyterian minister, likely traveling to establish or support church communities in Canada. His presence highlights the deep Scottish religious influence in North America.
🔹 Rev. A. Watkins & Mrs. Watkins (Room 36) – Another important religious figure, possibly engaged in missionary or pastoral work among emigrant communities.
🛠️ Business & Industry
🔹 Mr. Charles J. Kidd (Room 58-2) – A name often linked to finance or trading, suggesting business expansion or investment interests in Canada.
🔹 Mr. Robert Kirkwood (Room 15-2) – The Kirkwood name is associated with industry and engineering, making him a potential investor or technical expert.
👩👩👧👦 Family & Migration
Many Scottish and British families traveled together, often seeking new opportunities or reuniting with loved ones:
- Mrs. McBirnie & Child (Room 37-2)
- Mrs. Hyslop, Two Children, & Infant (Room 33)
- Mrs. Thorne & Two Children (Room 24-3,4)
- Mrs. Olsen & Mr. Olsen (Room 26)
Their presence reflects the steady flow of migration from Scotland to Canada, where many settled in farming, trade, or business.
📜 Highlights from the Passenger List
This voyage offers a glimpse into early 20th-century transatlantic migration and travel:
Numerous professors onboard suggest an academic connection between Scotland and Canadian universities.
Religious figures traveled to support growing communities, showing the enduring ties between Scotland’s Presbyterian roots and Canada’s expanding settlements.
Entire families migrated together, reflecting Canada’s active immigration policies encouraging British settlers.
Business travelers and professionals indicate commercial expansion, particularly in engineering, finance, and trade.
This passenger list paints a picture of a rapidly changing world, where education, religion, and industry played key roles in transatlantic relations.
📸 Noteworthy Images from the Passenger List
These images enhance the historical significance of the voyage:
📖 Front Cover: The official passenger list cover, adorned with the Allan Line’s branding, represents the prestige of transatlantic travel. (GGA Image ID # 98aa6329af)
🚢 RMS Pretorian (c. 1898): A historical image of the ship, showing its elegant design and importance in the Allan Line fleet. (Detroit Publishing Co., No. 022377)
👨✈️ List of Senior Officers and Staff: Featuring Captain Gavin Hamilton, Chief Officer David Kinnear, and Surgeon Dr. Simon P. Clark, showcasing the ship’s experienced leadership. (GGA Image ID # 21216bc00f)
📜 Title Page with Voyage Information: Displays Glasgow and Canadian headquarters, emphasizing the Allan Line’s role in transatlantic migration. (GGA Image ID # 2120e14f06)
📡 Wireless Telegraph Rates: Reflects the importance of maritime communication, detailing early 20th-century wireless telegram services. (GGA Image ID # 2121d93798)
🚢 Allan Line's Future Liners – Alsatian & Calgarian: Promotional material highlighting the next generation of luxury liners, signaling the evolution of transatlantic travel. (GGA Image ID # 21211f69c6 & 212163b860)
🎨 Back Cover with Allan Line Logo: A visually striking emblem, symbolizing trust and excellence in ocean travel. (GGA Image ID # 2122631a8c)
🗺️ Route Map & Atlantic Chart – SS Pretorian (7 September 1912) 🌊
📍 Title: Route Map & Chart of the Atlantic – SS Pretorian, 7 September 1912
📖 Source: SS Pretorian Cabin Passenger List, 7 September 1912
🖼️ GGA Image ID: #2121e71c3d
📌 Overview:
This detailed map and navigational chart from the SS Pretorian’s 1912 passenger list provides a visual representation of transatlantic routes, showcasing the ship’s journey from Glasgow, Scotland, to Québec and Montréal, Canada.
📍 Key Features:
Geographic Scope: Displays primary transatlantic steamship routes, with key ports such as Glasgow, Moville (Ireland), Québec, and Montréal.
Navigational Charting: Includes ocean currents, maritime landmarks, and major waypoints used by Allan Line vessels.
Historical Relevance: This chart highlights the well-established migration and trade paths between Britain and Canada, illustrating the importance of early 20th-century steamship travel.
Maritime Engineering Insight: Used by navigators and ship officers, these charts were essential for safe and efficient Atlantic crossings in an era before modern GPS technology.
⚓ Why It’s Noteworthy:
This route map and chart offer a fascinating look at early 20th-century transatlantic travel, serving as a vital reference for maritime historians, genealogists, and ocean travel enthusiasts. It contextualizes the voyage of the SS Pretorian within the broader history of migration, commerce, and nautical advancements.
📚 Relevance of the RMS Pretorian’s Voyage
This passenger list serves as an invaluable historical resource for various audiences:
👨🏫 For Educators & Students – A primary source for studying migration, religious outreach, and educational exchange in the early 20th century.
📜 For Historians – Offers insights into British-Canadian relations, economic mobility, and religious influence in transatlantic migration.
🧬 For Genealogists – An essential tool for tracking Scottish and British ancestry, helping descendants uncover family migration stories.
⚓ For Maritime Enthusiasts – Highlights one of the Allan Line’s key vessels, illustrating the transition from older steamships to more modern liners.
🔍 Key Features of the RMS Pretorian
🔹 Launched: 1898
🔹 Operator: Allan Line (later merged into Canadian Pacific Line)
🔹 Route: Glasgow → Québec → Montréal
🔹 Notable Feature: Known for its sturdy build, reliable service, and role in Scottish-Canadian migration.
🔹 Later History: Continued service into World War I, illustrating the adaptability of early 20th-century ocean liners.
🔮 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters
The RMS Pretorian’s September 1912 voyage is a rich historical artifact, highlighting migration, education, and commerce in a rapidly changing world.
The list captures a moment in time when families sought better opportunities, academics exchanged ideas, and religious leaders continued Scotland’s strong influence in Canada.
For genealogists, historians, and maritime enthusiasts, this passenger list is a key document for understanding transatlantic migration patterns and the broader historical context of 1912. ⚓✨
