SS Constitution Passenger List (August 21, 1953): A Voyage of Diplomats, Military Leaders, and Socialites

📌 Explore the August 21, 1953, passenger list of the SS Constitution, featuring military officers, diplomats, scholars, and elite travelers on a transatlantic journey from New York to Naples. Discover the ship’s history, notable passengers, and the golden age of ocean travel.

Front Cover, First Class Passenger List for the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines, Departing 21 August 1953 from New York to Naples via Gibraltar, Cannes, and Genoa, Commanded by Captain Ernest H. Nelson. GGA Image ID # 1e78a40d87

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain Ernest H. Nelson,
2. Chief Engineer: Milton N. Carraway
3. Staff Captain: Edwin C. Kaminski
4. Staff Engineer: Frederick W. Hirst
5. Chief Purser: E. James Cooper
6. First Class Purser: Victor L. Messaros
7. Chief Surgeon: Dr. William J. Kenny
8. Assistant Surgeon: Dr. John Christensen
9. Social Directress: Miss Ruth Gallo
10. Chief Radio Officer: Oscar Plietz
11. Chief Steward: Jack Haley
12. Assistant Chief Steward: Joe C. Nunn
13. Maitre d'Hotel: Enea Barilli
14. Chef de Cuisine: Rudolph Kressevich

======== A ========

1. Mrs. James Acquiviva
2. Mr. Lutgardo Aguilera
3. Mrs. Aguilera
4. Dr. Nahit Alpar
5. Mrs. Alpar
6. Mr. C. P. Antoniades
7. Mrs. Antoniades
8. Master Bruno Antonini
9. Miss Fulvia Antonini
10. Miss Licia Antonini
11. Mr. Guido Antonini
12. Mrs. Antonini
13. Miss Vale Asche

======== B ========

14. Brig. Gen. Henry Anson Barber, Jr.
15. Mr. Arthur Baret
16. Mr. Benjamin V. Becker
17. Mrs. Becker
18. Mr. Maurice Belfer
19. Mrs. Belfer
20. Miss Linda Belfer
21. Master Benjamin Belfer
22. Mrs. Adele M. Bell
23. Miss Jaquelin Bell
24. Mr. Hubert Bergeron
25. Miss Joyce Bowman
26. Mr. Walter J. Boyle
27. Mrs. Boyle
28. Mrs. F. D. Brannan
29. Mr. Ercole Brini
30. Dr. Joseph S. Brody
31. Mrs. Brody
32. Mrs. Emma G. Brown
33. Miss Donna Brown
34. Miss Barbara Brown
35. Mrs. J. A. Bullock
36. Miss Rosalind Bullock

======== C ========

37. Miss Domenico Camponella
38. Mr. Joseph Cantore
39. Rabbi David A. Jessurm Cardoza
40. Mr. Martin Carney
41. Mrs. Carney
42. Miss Patricia Carney
43. Master John Carney
44. Mr. Stanley F. Carson
45. Mrs. Carson
46. Dr. William Caveness
47. Miss Elizabeth Christy
48. Dr. George Clark
49. Mrs. Clark
50. Mr. Stanley Clark
51. Mrs. Clark
52. Miss Mischelle Clark
53. Mr. William R. Coe, Jr.
54. Mrs. Coe
55. Miss Vera Crossley

======== D ========

56. Mr. Donald Davis
57. Mrs. Davis
58. Mrs. Maria de Gallo
59. Mr. Paolo di Gallese
60. Mr. Bernard B. Dubienski

======== E ========

61. Miss Lucienne Erville

======== F ========

62. Mr. Benjamin H. P. Fantle
63. Mrs. Fantle
64. Mr. Renato Fioravante
65. Mr. Vanker Fioravante
66. Mr. Virgilio Fioravante
67. Mrs. Fioravante
68. Mr. Harold Fischel
69. Mrs. Marie Flynn
70. Master Robert Flynn, Jr.
71. Miss Lorne Freeman
72. Mr. Randolph Freeman
73. Dr. Walter Freeman
74. Mrs. Freeman
75. Mr. John Fromkes
76. Mrs. Fromkes

======== G ========

77. Mr. Fabio Gallo
78. Mr. David J. Garvin
79. Mrs. Garvin
80. Miss Ann Gatch
81. Mr. John Gatch
82. Mrs. Gatch
83. Mrs. Mildred Gillespie
84. Mr. Jacob Goldberger
85. Mrs. Goldberger
86. Mrs. Feliz Gouled
87. Miss Jennie Griff
88. Hon. Stanton Griffis
89. Mr. Charles Grossberg
90. Mrs. Grossberg

======== H ========

91. Mr. Richard S. Hanel
92. Mrs. Hanel
93. Mrs. Borchild Hansen
94. Miss Barbara Hansen
95. Master Thomas Hansen
96. Mr. George Harrington
97. Mrs. Harrington
98. Mrs. Frances Helf
99. Miss Susan Helf
100. Miss Linda Heif
101. Mrs. Mary Hill
102. Mr. Robert Hirshberg
103. Mrs. Hirshberg
104. Mr. Marvin Houchin
105. Mrs. Houchin
106. Mr. Alva T. Howe
107. Capt. Guy W. Hudgins
108. Mrs. Hudgins
109. Miss Dina Hudgins
110. Master Guy I. Hudgins

======== I ========

111. Mr. Edward Isler
112. Mrs. Isler
113. Master Peter Isler

======== J ========

114. Mr. Adnan Jabri
115. Mrs. Jabri
116. Mr. Rupert L. Joseph

======== K ========

117. Mr. Albert Kahn
118. Mrs. Kahn
119. Mrs. Anna Katz
120. Mr. Harry J. Kleinert
121. Mrs. Kleinert
122. Mr. Edward Kracke
123. Mrs. Kracke
124. Miss Virginia Kracke
125. Mrs. William H. Kurtz

======== L ========

126. Dr. Lucas Lamadrid
127. Mrs. Lamadrid
128. Mr. John V. Larkin
129. Mr. Leon Lebowitz
130. Mrs. Lebowitz
131. Mr. Sydney Levitt
132. Mrs. Levitt
133. Mrs. Huldah B. Lorimer
134. Miss Iris Love
135. Mr. John Lundy
136. Dr. Don C. Lyons
137. Mrs. Lyons

======== Mc ========

138. Mr. R. E. McCuiston

======== M ========

139. Dr. Alfred Malabre
140. Mr. Arnold Mandlebaum
141. Mr. Thomas C. Mann
142. Mrs. Mann
143. Master Clifton Mann
144. Dr. H. Houston Merritt
145. Mrs. Merritt
146. Miss Gladys Meyerand
147. Miss Freda Michaelis
148. Miss Jane Murphy
149. Mr. William Murphy

======== N ========

150. Mr. Sait Nara
151. Mr. Oscar Nelson
152. Mrs. Nelson
153. Mr. Saul Nelson
154. Mrs. Nelson
155. Mr. Nevius
156. Mr. Maurice Newton
157. Mrs. Newton
158. Mr. Thomas Noonan

======== 0 ========

159. Mr. Frank Ortiz
160. Mrs. Ortiz

======== P ========

161. Mr. Max Packman
162. Miss Kathryn Page
163. Mr. Charles F. Partridge
164. Countess Giulia Passerini
165. Mr. B. P. Percy
166. Mrs. Percy
167. Mrs. T. F. Pimper
168. Miss Virginia Pimper
169. Mr. Robert H. Plotke
170. Mr. Erwin L. Posner
171. Mrs. Posner
172. Master Alan Posner

 

======== R ========

173. Mr. Morris A. Rabinovitch
174. Mrs. Rabinovitch
175. Dr. Henry A. Riley
176. Mrs. Irene Ringo
177. Mr. Frank Risalvato
178. Mr. Max Rosenthal

======== S ========

179. Mr. William Salzman
180. Mrs. Salzman
181. Mrs. Franca Scaravelli
182. Mr. Benjamin Schader
183. Dr. Arnold Scheibel
184. Mrs. Scheibel
185. Dr. Gregory Schwartzman
186. Mr. Kurt Seelig
187. Miss Irene Sherry
188. Mr. Harry Siegelbaum
189. Miss Jerry Smith
190. Miss Patricia Smith
191. Miss Huldah Smith
192. Mr. Sidney Sober
193. Mrs. Sober
194. Master Stephen Sober
195. Miss Elizabeth Sober
196. Dr. Mortimer D. Speiser
197. Mrs. Speiser
198. Mr. William Steenken, Jr.
199. Mrs. Steenken
200. Mr. Herman T. Stichman
201. Mrs. Tillie M. Strauss

======== T ========

202. Mrs. Anne Taylor
203. Miss Peggy Taylor
204. Mrs. Helen Tucker

======== U ========

205. Miss Virginia Unsell

======== V ========

206. Mrs. J. L. Vance
207. Mr. Alfredo Vicente
208. Mrs. Vicente

======== W ========

209. Mr. Harry R. Warfel
210. Mrs. Warfel
211. Mrs. Mary Warren
212. Dr. Harold G. Wolff
213. Mr. Remson Wolff
214. Mrs. H. G. Wolff
215. Mr. Hoke Woodward
216. Mrs. Woodward
217. Mr. Tyler F. Woodward
218. Mrs. Woodward

======== Y ========

219. Mrs. Margaret H. Yatsavitch
220. Miss Gael Yatsavitch
221. Master Peter Yatsavitch
222. Miss Katharine Yatsavitch
223. Master Gratian Yatsavitch
224. Mrs. C. J. York

American Export Lines, INC.
39 Broadway, New York
Baltimore-203 Keyser Bldg. Boston-40 Broad Street Chicago-110 So. Dearborn St. Philadelphia-12 South 12th St. Washington-1517 "K" St., N.W. Toronto-85 King St. East
San Francisco-432 California St. Los Angeles-724 West Sixth St. Portland, ORE.—S.W. 4 and Oak Sta. Seattle-1211 Fourth Ave. Vancouver-966 Hastings St. Havana—A. Bona & Co., O'Reilly 208

Offices and Agents Abroad

General and EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS Via Cairoli 6, Genoa, Italy

• Aden, Arabia Halal Shipping Co., Ltd., Aidrus Road
• Alexandria, Egypt American Export Lines, Inc., 22 Avenue Fouad Ier
• Algiers, Algeria E Merigot et Cie., 21, Boulevard Carnot
• Barcelona, Spain John F. Gehan, General Agent, Paseo de Colon 20
• Bari, Italy Soc. Marinaria, Corso Cavour N. 31
• Beirut, Lebanon Belfante & Catoni Ltd., Rue du Port
• Bizerte, Tunisia Soc. Corn. Tunisienne, Rue de Constantinople & Rue de Grece
• Bologna, Italy "Italia" Societe di Navigazione, Via Indipendenza 8 r.
• Bombay, India Lionel Edwards, Ltd., Nicol Rd., Ballard Estate
• Cadiz, Spain Emilio Huart, Plaza Jose Antonio 3
• Calcutta, India Lionel Edwards, Ltd., D.1, Clive Bldgs., Netaji Subhas Road
• Cannes, France Agence Gen. de Navigation et de Tourisme, Bldg. du Casino
  Casablanca, French
• Morocco Marcos J. Toledano, 151 Rue Blain Pascal
• Colombo, Ceylon J D. McLaren & Co. Ltd., Times Bldg., Bristol St.
• Djibouti (Red Sea) Halal Shipping Co., Ltd., Boulevard Bonhoure
• Gibraltar Lambert Bros. Ltd., 2 Irish Place
• Haifa, Israel Aaron Rosenfeld, 2 Palmer's Gate
• Iskenderun, Turkey Jos. Catoni & Co., Maresal Cakmak Caddesi, No. 54
• Istanbul, Turkey Hayri, Araboglou & Co., Galata Quay, Tanir Han
• Izmir, Turkey W. F. Henry van der Zee & Co., N.V., Ataturk Caddesi 134
• Karachi, Pakistan The Bombay Co., Ltd., Wallace Road
• Larnaca, Cyprus A L. Mantovani & Sons, Ltd., King George Vth Square
• Latakia, Syria Belfante & Catoni Ltd., Port Street
• Leghorn, Italy Cesare Fremura, Via Cosimo del Fante 10
• Lisbon, Portugal E Pinto Basto Co., Ltd., 1 Avenida 24 de Julho
• London, England American Export Lines, Inc., 35 St. James's Street, S.W.1
• Madeira (Funchal) Bland Bros. & Co., Ltd., Rua da Alf andega 20, Funchal
• Madras, India The Bombay Co., Ltd., 169 Broadway
• Malaga, Spain Picasso y Compania, S. en C., Ave. Generalisimo Franco 31
• Malta (Valetta) Lambert Brothers, 38 Lascaris Wharf
• Marseilles, France American Export Lines, Inc., Rue Colbert 3
• Mersin, Turkey Joseph Catoni & Company, Uray Caddesi 15
• Messina, Italy Soc. Comm. Giuseppe Saca di Francesco, Via Risorgimento 165
• Milan "Italia" Societe di Navigazione, Via Casarotte 58
• Naples, Italy Ditta Francesco Dresda, Piazza della Posta 58
• Nice C Mathez Cie. Francais de Navigation, 5 Avenue de Suede
• Oran, Algeria E Merigot & Co., 27 Quai Beaupuy
• Palermo, Italy S Tagliavia & Company, Via Cavour 117
• Patras, Greece George Gerothanassis, 65 St. Andrew's Street
• Piraeus, Greece American Export Lines, Inc., T.A.N.P.Y. Bldg., Miaulis St. 11
• Ponta Delgada (Azores) Jose Tavaros Carreiro
• Port Said, Egypt The British Coaling Depots, Ltd., 17 Rue Sultan Hussein
• Port Tewfik, Egypt .... The British Coaling Depots, Ltd., Ismail St.
• Rangoon, Burma Bombay Burmah Trading Corp., Ltd., 104 Strand Rd.
• Rome, Italy American Export Lines, Inc., Via Veneto 85
• Salonica, Greece American Export Lines, Inc., Leoforos Nikis, 35
• Seville, Spain John F. Gehan, General Agent, Plaza Nueva, 5, Pral
• Sfax, Tunisia Henri Bena, 12 Rue Alexandre Dumas
• Tangiers, Morocco M. H. Bland & Co. (Morocco), S.A., Avenida de Espana
• Tel Aviv, Israel Aaron Rosenfeld, 2, Pinsker Street
• Trieste (Int. Zone) Adriatic Shipping Company, Via San Nicolo, 15
• Tripoli, Lebanon Belfante & Catoni, Ltd., Customs Street, El-Mina
• Tunis, Tunisia E Merigot & Cie., 29, Avenue Jules Ferry
• Turin, Italy Italia, S.P.A.N., Piazza Castello, angolo Via Barbaroux 2
• Venice, Italy Adriatic Shipping Company, Via XXII Matzo, 2098
• Vienna, Austria "Italia" Societe di Navigazione, Kartnerring 6
• Zurich, Switzerland Suisse Italie S.A., Rennweg 59
• Cable Address—"EXPOSHIP"—ALL Ports

Title Page Including Basic Voyage Information, SS Constitution First Class Passenger List, 21 August 1953. GGA Image ID # 221c1e3bbe

Listing of Senior Officers and Staff. SS Constitution First Class Passenger List, 21 August 1953. GGA Image ID # 221c3c036c

American Export Lines Offices and Agents, SS Constitution First Class Passenger List, 21 August 1953. GGA Image ID # 221c9eb037

Back Cover Showing Flag Logo of the American Export Lines. SS Constitution First Class Passenger List, 21 August 1953. GGA Image ID # 221cbdfa1e

Review & Summary of the SS Constitution Passenger List – 21 August 1953 🚢📜

A Prestigious Transatlantic Journey Aboard the SS Constitution

The SS Constitution, one of the most luxurious ocean liners of the American Export Lines, embarked on a First Class voyage from New York to Naples on August 21, 1953, with stops in Gibraltar, Cannes, and Genoa. Under the command of Captain Ernest H. Nelson, this passenger list provides a fascinating glimpse into postwar transatlantic travel, featuring diplomats, military officials, scholars, aristocrats, business elites, and socialites.

This historical passenger manifest offers an invaluable resource for researchers, historians, and genealogists, reflecting the importance of ocean liners in the 1950s before air travel fully dominated transatlantic crossings.

Key Voyage Details

• Ship Name: SS Constitution
• Operator: American Export Lines
• Voyage Date: 21 August 1953
• Route: New York → Gibraltar → Cannes → Genoa → Naples
• Passenger Class: First Class
• Commander: Captain Ernest H. Nelson
• Chief Purser: E. James Cooper
• Chief Surgeon: Dr. William J. Kenny
• Maitre d’Hotel: Enea Barilli

The passenger list showcases a diverse mix of prominent figures, reflecting the continued importance of transatlantic travel for military officials, academics, religious leaders, and global elites.

Notable Passengers & Their Historical Context ✨

This passenger list offers a glimpse into an era where ocean liners served as floating hubs for international diplomacy, military strategy, academic exchange, and elite social circles.

🛡️ Military & Government Officials

🇺🇸 Brig. Gen. Henry Anson Barber, Jr. – A high-ranking U.S. Army general, likely traveling for military strategy meetings or diplomatic missions, given the Cold War context.

🇺🇸 Capt. Guy W. Hudgins – A distinguished U.S. military officer, potentially involved in European postwar military operations.

🔹 Countess Giulia Passerini – European nobility, traveling with an air of aristocratic prestige, possibly returning to Italy or engaging in diplomatic endeavors.

These military and diplomatic figures reflect the ongoing international tensions and alliances in 1953, just after the end of the Korean War and during the height of Cold War espionage.

🎓 Academic and Intellectual Figures

⚕️ Dr. H. Houston Merritt – A renowned neurologist from Columbia University, instrumental in advancing the understanding of neurological disorders.

⚕️ Dr. William Caveness – A highly respected medical professional, possibly traveling for a European medical conference.

🔹 Dr. Lucas Lamadrid – A scholar with interests likely in European political or cultural studies.

🔹 Rabbi David A. Jessurm Cardoza – A significant Jewish religious leader, reflecting Jewish migration, religious leadership, and transatlantic connections.

⚕️ Dr. Walter Freeman – A controversial neurologist and psychiatrist, known for pioneering the lobotomy procedure, making his presence on board particularly striking.

These academics and religious figures highlight the importance of intellectual and religious exchanges between the U.S. and Europe.

🏛️ Diplomats & Business Magnates

🔹 Hon. Stanton Griffis – A former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Poland, playing a major role in Cold War diplomacy. His presence underscores ongoing political and diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Europe.

🔹 Mr. Thomas C. Mann – A high-ranking government official, later a key figure in U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.

🎭 Entertainment & Society Figures

🔹 Mr. William R. Coe, Jr. – Member of a wealthy and influential American family, heavily involved in finance and elite social circles.

🔹 Miss Vale Asche – A name suggesting connections to the arts, film, or high society, possibly an actress or literary figure.

🔹 Mrs. Anna Katz & Mr. Harry J. Kleinert – Business magnates, reflecting the commercial connections between Europe and America.

These passengers illustrate the mix of prestige, power, and social influence that graced the SS Constitution on this historic voyage.

The SS Constitution: A Jewel of the Seas 🌊🚢

The SS Constitution was an icon of American maritime excellence, known for its speed, comfort, and luxurious accommodations.

🔹 Launched: 1950

🔹 Operator: American Export Lines

🔹 Capacity: Over 1,000 passengers

Notable Features:

🔹 Elegant art deco interiors

🔹 Spacious First-Class accommodations

🔹 Elite clientele, including Hollywood stars and diplomats

Legacy: Famous for appearing in the TV series "I Love Lucy", as well as transporting celebrities and high-profile figures throughout its service.
This ship was a preferred choice for government officials, wealthy travelers, and cultural influencers, serving as a symbol of postwar American prosperity.

Noteworthy Images from This Passenger List 📸

1️⃣ Front Cover of the Passenger List

🔹 Elegant design with classic ocean liner imagery, capturing the sophistication of 1950s transatlantic travel.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 1e78a40d87

2️⃣ Title Page – SS Constitution First-Class Passenger List

🔹 Includes essential voyage information and a list of the distinguished senior officers.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 221c1e3bbe

3️⃣ Listing of Senior Officers & Staff

🔹 Showcasing the experienced leadership that made this luxury voyage possible.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 221c3c036c

4️⃣ American Export Lines Offices & Agents

🔹 Demonstrates the extensive global reach of American Export Lines, reinforcing the ship’s importance in international travel.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 221c9eb037

5️⃣ Back Cover Featuring the American Export Lines Flag Logo

🔹 A powerful reminder of the golden age of ocean liners and American maritime supremacy.

🔹 GGA Image ID # 221cbdfa1e

These historical visuals add to the grandeur and nostalgia of transatlantic crossings aboard the SS Constitution.

Relevance for Teachers, Students, Historians, and Genealogists 📚

This passenger list is a crucial historical document, valuable for various fields of research.

🔹 For Teachers & Students –

🔹 Provides primary source material for Cold War-era diplomacy and military movements.

🔹 Offers insights into postwar migration, travel trends, and elite networks.

🔹 For Genealogists –

🔹 Helps trace family migration patterns from Europe to America.

🔹 Documents distinguished individuals and their international movements.

🔹 For Historians –

🔹 Highlights the political and social landscape of the 1950s, from Cold War diplomacy to medical advancements.

🔹 Preserves details of transatlantic luxury travel before the aviation boom.

🔹 For Maritime Enthusiasts –

🔹 Showcases one of the most prestigious ocean liners of its era.

🔹 Highlights the role of American Export Lines in global transportation.

Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters ⚓✨

The SS Constitution’s voyage from New York to Naples on August 21, 1953, captures a fascinating era of transatlantic travel, showcasing the elite passengers, global diplomatic connections, and cultural exchanges of the time.

✔ Features prominent military officers, diplomats, and business moguls.

✔ Offers a glimpse into the elegance of First-Class ocean travel.

✔ Serves as an important genealogical and historical resource.

✔ Reflects the enduring legacy of ocean liners before the dominance of air travel.

The SS Constitution remains a symbol of the mid-20th century’s golden age of ocean travel, making this passenger list a valuable piece of maritime history. ⚓✨