SS Albert Ballin Passenger Lists 1926-1933

The SS Albert Ballin (1923) of the Hamburg-American Line, Departs from Cuxhaven en Route to New York. Albert Ballin Passenger List, 27 August 1926. GGA Image ID # 1d2ac67120

Passenger Lists contained in the GG Archives collection represent the souvenir list provided to the passengers of each cabin class (and other classes). Many of these souvenir passenger lists have disappeared over the years. Our collection contains a sampling of what was originally produced and printed by the steamship lines.

Passenger Steamer With Bulges on Her Way Here

The new steamship Albert Ballin. of the Hamburg-American Line, the first trans-Atlantic liner of the de luxe type to be put in service by a German company since the war, sails from Hamburg for New York, via Southampton on July 5- She is a twin-screw, oil burner, of 22.000 gross tons, driven by turbines, and carries 250 first-class passengers. 350 second-class, and 700 third class.

The Albert Ballin. which was built by the Blohm & Voss yard at Hamburg, has the distinction of being the first merchant vessel to incorporate a new stabilizing device combining the Foerster system of bulges on the sides, and the Frahm anti-rolling tank. This device, which has been successfully applied to naval vessels, gives not only greater steadiness, but also added safety, due to the double skin of the hull at the water line. By placing the anti-rolling tanks in the bulges, considerable space is saved.

The Albert Ballin is due to arrive at New York on July 15. Her sister ship, the Deutschland, was recently launched at Hamburg and will enter service about six months later. Both of these new vessels will be run in joint service with the steamers Resolute and Reliance of the United American Lines.

"Passenger Steamer With Bulges on Her Way Here," in The Marine Journal, New York: The Marine Journal Company, Vol. 47, No. 2, 14 July 1923, p. 22.

Recap and Summary of the SS Albert Ballin Passenger Lists (1926-1933)

The SS Albert Ballin (1923) was a prestigious liner of the Hamburg-America Line (HAPAG), named after Albert Ballin, the pioneering director of HAPAG who transformed ocean travel with luxury liners and innovative ship design. The ship was one of the first de luxe transatlantic liners launched by Germany after World War I, featuring groundbreaking stabilization technology to improve passenger comfort.

These passenger lists from 1926 to 1933 capture an era of shifting transatlantic travel trends, from the prosperous late 1920s to the economic downturn of the Great Depression, highlighting migration patterns, elite travel, and historical figures who crossed the Atlantic.

 

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Most Noteworthy and Interesting Passenger Lists

1. January 28, 1926 – Third-Class Migration and Intellectual Travelers

📌 Why is this voyage notable?

• A third-class voyage from Hamburg to New York—suggesting a movement of German and European immigrants heading to America for work or a new life.
• Dr. jur. Friedrich Schweizer, a legal scholar, reflects the movement of intellectuals and professionals across the Atlantic.
• Charles Abele and Loretta van Allen and family suggest family migration, a common trend in the post-war resettlement period.

 

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2. August 27, 1926 – A Voyage of Faith and Culture

📌 Why is this voyage notable?

• The presence of Pastor Gustav Gille suggests religious figures traveled aboard, potentially for missionary work or religious conferences.
• Dr. R. Schneider and Projectionist M. Prim v. Ebner-Eschenbach indicate a blend of scientific minds and cultural figures, reflecting Germany’s booming intellectual and artistic climate before the Depression.
• This list represents a unique mix of spiritual leaders, scientists, and artists, which offers a fascinating look at the social fabric of transatlantic passengers in the 1920s.

 

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3. July 6, 1927 – New York to Hamburg: Transatlantic Professionals

📌 Why is this voyage notable?

• Viola Dean—potentially an entertainer or performer—adds an element of cultural and artistic exchange between America and Europe.
• Chief Steward A. Gross suggests high-ranking crew members were recorded in passenger lists, hinting at crew rotations and professional exchanges in maritime industries.
• Dr. K. Koch, likely a medical or academic figure, represents the movement of European professionals returning from America.

 

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4. December 20, 1933 – A Changing World and Prominent Figures

📌 Why is this voyage notable?

• A First, Tourist, and Third Class voyage, showing a wide range of passengers aboard.
• Dusolina Giannini (1902–1986), a celebrated opera singer, adds a rich cultural significance to this voyage.
• Dr. Richard Bolt, Staatsrat Curt Helm, and Professor Harold B. Kenton suggest a prestigious roster of academics and officials, emphasizing the ship’s role in elite transatlantic travel.
• This journey took place as Germany was falling under N**i rule, making it particularly intriguing—some passengers may have been escaping political changes or conducting diplomatic business abroad.

 

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Historical Significance of the SS Albert Ballin’s Passenger Lists

1. A Ship of Innovation: The First Transatlantic Liner with Stabilization Technology

• The Albert Ballin was a technological marvel, incorporating bulges for stability and anti-rolling tanks, improving passenger comfort.
• These advancements reflected Germany’s maritime resurgence post-WWI, even as political tensions began to rise.

 

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2. Immigration and Transatlantic Migration Trends

• The 1926 and 1927 third-class voyages highlight the movement of Germans and other Europeans to America, likely for economic opportunities.
• The return voyage from New York to Hamburg (1927) suggests many professionals and academics traveled to America for study or work before returning home.

 

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3. The Shift in Transatlantic Travel During the Great Depression

• The 1933 voyage reflects economic changes, as Tourist Class became a dominant category, replacing the previously popular luxury First Class.
• This aligns with the trend where fewer wealthy travelers could afford luxury crossings, leading to the rise of Tourist Class accommodations.

 

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4. The Impact of N**i Germany and Rising Political Changes

• The 1933 passenger list is particularly significant, occurring just as Hitler came to power in Germany.
• High-profile individuals like Staatsrat Curt Helm and Professor Harold B. Kenton may have been traveling for government or diplomatic business.
• Jewish intellectuals and artists, such as Dusolina Giannini, might have foreseen the political dangers ahead and sought opportunities abroad.

 

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Conclusion: Why This Collection Matters

🔹 A Record of Intellectual, Cultural, and Professional Exchanges – These passenger lists showcase religious leaders, scientists, musicians, and academics, offering a glimpse into transatlantic intellectual networks of the 1920s and 1930s.

🔹 A Time Capsule of Migration and Economic Shifts – From immigrants seeking a new life to elites navigating economic downturns, these lists document the changing nature of travel before and during the Great Depression.

🔹 A Pre-War Maritime Chronicle – The final list in 1933 is particularly significant as it coincides with the rise of the N**i regime, making it a historical artifact of a world on the brink of war.

Through these passenger lists, we gain a fascinating look into transatlantic life, global migration, and cultural exchange during a pivotal period in history.