SS Exeter Passenger List (13 April 1936): A Glimpse into Transatlantic Travel & Notable Figures of the 1930s

📌 Explore the SS Exeter Passenger List (13 April 1936) from Beirut to Boston & New York, featuring military leaders, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and emigrants. This document provides historical insight into pre-WWII migration, diplomacy, and trade. A must-read for genealogists, historians, and maritime enthusiasts!

Front Cover for a Passenger List for the SS Exeter of the American Export Lines, Departing Monday, 13 April 1936 from Beirut for Boston and New York, Commanded by Captain S. F. Ransone. The Image Depicts a Person Related to the Theme of Travel. It Includes the Text “Passengers List” and “American Export Lines,” Indicating a Connection to Transportation or a Maritime Context. the Artwork Features Drawing and Illustration Elements, Showcasing an Artistic Style That Appears Cartoonish or Sketch-Like. GGA Image ID # 1592bb6222

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain S. F. Ransone
2. Chief Officer: S. Blackledge
3. Chief Engineer: F. McCormack
4. Purser: F. H. Riker
5. Surgeon: V. W. Manginelli, M.D
6. Chief Steward: C. A. Rink

For Boston

1. Mrs. Mary C. Collar
2. Mr. Meenah Khoury
3. Mr. Raymond Fernandez
4. Mr. Adolf Klau
5. Mr. Ethelbert Hoyle
6. Mrs. Mary I. Payson
7. Mrs. Ethelbert Hoyle
8. Mr. Rafael Portella
9. Mrs. Anna G. Jones
10. Mrs. Anna Thomson

For New York

11. Mr. Edward Brodstein
12. Mrs. Mary Barsa
13. Miss Violet Barsa
14. Miss Mary C. Barsa
15. Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman
16. Miss Agnes Caven
17. Mrs. Mary Chaffe
18. Mrs. Emma G. Denbigh
19. Mr. Henry H. Dodge
20. Mr. William Ellyson
21. Mrs. William Ellyson
22. Mr. Herbert H. Franklin
23. Mr. Marcelino Garcia
24. Mrs. Marcelino Garcia
25. Mr. Livingstone Gordon
26. Mrs. Livingstone Gordon
27. Master William Gordon
28. Master Albert Gordon
29. Miss Margaret Gordon
30. W. William Hornibrook
31. Mrs. William Hornibrook
32. Miss Frances Hornibrook
33. Mrs. Mary I. Hayes
34. Master William C. Hayes
35. Mrs. Ellen Halsey
36. Miss Sarah Halsey
37. Miss Frances Halsey
38. Miss Jacqueline Halsey
39. Mr. John E. Harris
40. Mrs. John E. Harris
41. Dr. Craig Muckle
42. Mrs. Lucy McCormack
43. Mr. Gleb de Rosmaritza-Nowakowitch
44. Mrs. Sophia de Rosmaritza-Nowakowitch
45. Mr. Knowlton Mixer
46. Mrs. Knowlton Mixer
47. Master Anthony Mixer
48. Mr. Edward Nathan
49. Miss Inga Normand
50. Mr. William C. Newland
51. Mrs. Evelyn Patterson
52. Miss Evelyn Patterson
53. Mr. Roger P. Peyre
54. Mrs. Clara F. Perry
55. Mrs. Grace Rudd
56. Mrs. Martha Ridings
57. Mrs. Helen P. Robinson
58. Mr. Albert Stern
59. Mrs. Albert Stern
60. Miss Anna Stern
61. Mrs. Jeannette Speigel
62. W. J. Linden Smith
63. Mrs. J. Linden Smith
64. Mr. William Semple
65. Miss Lula Stockwell
66. Miss Dorothy Spooner
67. Mr. Carlo Tochi
68. Mrs. Carlo Tochi
69. Master William Tochi
70. Miss Helen Vaughn
71. W. Lazarus White
72. Mrs. Lazarus White
73. Mrs. Elizabeth Wurts
74. Mr. Charles S. Wurts
75. Mrs. Catherine Wendel

List of Senior Officers and Staff for SS Exeter Voyage #32 West From Beirut, Tuesday, 24 March 1936. Arriving: Boston on 13 April 1936 and New York on 15 April 1936. SS Exeter Passenger List, 24 March 1936. GGA Image ID # 2219e044d9

🌍 Review & Summary of the SS Exeter Passenger List (13 April 1936)

🚢 Introduction: A Transatlantic Journey Through Time

On 13 April 1936, the SS Exeter, a distinguished passenger liner of the American Export Lines, arrived in Boston, completing its transatlantic voyage from Beirut. The ship would continue on to New York on 15 April 1936, marking another successful journey under the command of Captain S. F. Ransone.

This voyage occurred during an era of global transition, just before World War II reshaped international travel and diplomacy. The SS Exeter carried a diverse mix of passengers, including business leaders, diplomats, scholars, and emigrants, reflecting the cultural and economic ties between the United States and the Mediterranean region.

This passenger list serves as a valuable historical document, offering genealogists, historians, teachers, and students an intimate look at who traveled, why they traveled, and how transatlantic migration patterns evolved during the interwar period.

🌟 Notable Passengers and Their Historical Significance

🎖️ Military, Diplomats, and Political Figures

🔹 W. William Hornibrook 🇺🇸 – A former U.S. diplomat and newspaper editor, Hornibrook played a significant role in U.S. foreign relations. His presence suggests potential diplomatic or governmental discussions in the Mediterranean.

🔹 Gleb de Rosmaritza-Nowakowitch & Mrs. Sophia de Rosmaritza-Nowakowitch 🇷🇺 – A name of Russian aristocratic heritage, possibly connected to White Russian émigré circles, which were prominent in the U.S. and Europe following the Russian Revolution.

📚 Academics & Intellectuals

🔹 Dr. Craig Muckle – Likely a medical doctor or scientist, his journey hints at international academic collaboration or research.

🔹 Miss Inga Normand – Possibly linked to European educational or artistic circles, as Scandinavian intellectuals played a key role in American-European cultural exchanges during this period.

💰 Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs

🔹 Herbert H. Franklin – A well-known businessman, co-founder of the Franklin Automobile Company, one of the earliest manufacturers of air-cooled engines. His journey may have involved business expansion or trade discussions abroad.

🔹 Mr. Knowlton Mixer & Mrs. Knowlton Mixer – Mixer’s name is associated with trade and industry, potentially linked to engineering or commercial ventures in the Mediterranean region.

⛪ Religious Figures & Theologians

🔹 Mrs. Mary Barsa & Miss Violet Barsa – Their surname suggests ties to Middle Eastern Christian communities, likely part of Syrian or Lebanese migration to the U.S.

🔹 Mrs. Mary I. Hayes & Master William C. Hayes – Could be connected to missionary work or educational endeavors, common for American families traveling to and from the Middle East.

🎭 Socialites, Artists & Influential Women

🔹 Miss Helen Vaughn – A name that appears in social circles of the 1930s, possibly linked to theater or high society.

🔹 Mrs. Elizabeth Wurts & Mr. Charles S. Wurts – This family was known for their connections to finance and American aristocracy, suggesting a leisurely or diplomatic voyage.

📸 Noteworthy Images from the Passenger List

🔹 1. Front Cover of the Passenger List

📷 SS Exeter Passenger List, 13 April 1936. (GGA Image ID # 1592bb6222)

👉 Significance: Features stylized artwork reflecting 1930s travel culture, reinforcing the romanticized allure of transatlantic voyages.

🔹 2. Senior Officers & Crew List

📷 List of Senior Officers and Staff for SS Exeter Voyage #32 West. (GGA Image ID # 2219e044d9)

👉 Significance: A vital historical record of the ship’s command staff, showcasing the hierarchical structure of ocean liners.

🌍 The Historical Relevance of the SS Exeter’s Voyage

The SS Exeter’s 1936 voyage represents a snapshot of international travel during the interwar years, a period marked by:

🔹 The Great Depression 💰 – Economic hardship forced many to seek opportunities abroad or return home from business ventures.

🔹 Pre-WWII Global Tensions ⚔️ – Political figures and diplomats on board might have been involved in negotiations amid growing unrest in Europe and the Middle East.

🔹 American-Mediterranean Relations 🌍 – The voyage emphasized America’s commercial and cultural ties to the Mediterranean, a route that remained crucial for trade, migration, and tourism.

🚢 American Export Lines SS Exeter

The SS Exeter, a notable vessel of the American Export Lines, was launched in 1931 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey. As one of the famed "Four Aces"—alongside her sister ships Excalibur, Excambion, and Exochorda—the Exeter was designed as a combination passenger-cargo liner, primarily servicing routes between the United States and the Mediterranean. These ships were renowned for offering extended cruises, some lasting up to 40 days, departing from Hoboken, New Jersey, and calling at ports such as Cadiz, Barcelona, Marseille, Naples, Beirut, Alexandria, and Piraeus. (Note 1)

In 1942, during World War II, the SS Exeter was acquired by the U.S. Navy and commissioned as the USS Edward Rutledge (AP-52/APA-24). She played a significant role in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa. Tragically, on November 12, 1942, while off the coast of Fedala, French Morocco, the Edward Rutledge was torpedoed by the German submarine U-130 and subsequently sank, resulting in the loss of 15 crew members. (Note 2)

The legacy of the SS Exeter and her sister ships underscores the vital role of maritime vessels in both commercial and military history, reflecting the dynamic interplay between civilian maritime travel and wartime exigencies.

 

🧑‍🏫 Who Can Benefit from This Passenger List?

✅ Genealogists – Trace family migrations and professional connections.

✅ Historians – Examine pre-WWII global travel and trade networks.

✅ Teachers & Students – Utilize as a primary source document for historical analysis.

✅ Maritime Enthusiasts – Learn about the SS Exeter and American Export Lines.

🌊 Final Thoughts: Why This Passenger List Matters

This passenger list is more than just a roster of names—it’s a historical snapshot of a world on the brink of transformation. Whether carrying business tycoons, diplomats, or emigrants, the SS Exeter symbolized the interconnectedness of nations in the years leading to WWII. ⚓✨

Notes:

1. Michael Grace, American Export Lines: The popular “FOUR ACES” – EXCAMBION, EXETER, EXOCHORDA, and EXCALIBUR. January 28, 2011. CruiselineHistory.com
2. USS Edward Turledge, (AP-52) Wikipedia