RMS Queen Elizabeth Passenger Lists 1947-1954

RMS Queen Elizabeth, World's Largest Liner. 83,673 Gross Tons -- 2,314 Passengers. Cunard White Star Tourist Class, January 1949. GGA Image ID # 1d36e82385

All Digitized Passenger Lists For the RMS Queen Elizabeth Available at the GG Archives. Listing Includes Date Voyage Began, Steamship Line, Vessel, Passenger Class and Route.

Browse our RMS Queen Elizabeth Archival Collection that Includes Queen Elizabeth (1940) Cunard Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Menus; Brochures; Programs; Books; Photographs; Other Ephemera; and more.

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.

Recap and Summary of the RMS Queen Elizabeth Passenger Lists (1947-1954)

The RMS Queen Elizabeth, one of the most legendary ocean liners of the 20th century, was the world’s largest passenger ship at 83,673 gross tons, accommodating 2,314 passengers in unparalleled luxury. Operated by the Cunard Line, she sailed transatlantic routes between Southampton and New York via Cherbourg, serving as an essential link for travelers, business elites, postwar emigrants, and vacationers during the golden era of ocean liners.

This collection of passenger lists from 1947 to 1954, digitized by the GG Archives, provides an incredible glimpse into the era of postwar transatlantic travel. These lists not only document notable voyages but also offer insights into maritime luxury, social stratification, and the evolution of sea travel before the advent of commercial aviation.

 

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Significance of RMS Queen Elizabeth in Maritime History

• Symbol of British Naval Engineering: Built as a sister ship to RMS Queen Mary, she was initially designed as a luxury liner but served as a WWII troopship before being refitted for civilian service in 1946.
• Premier Transatlantic Travel Experience: The ship embodied luxury, speed, and comfort, offering first-class accommodations that rivaled the finest hotels.
• A Bridge Between Two Worlds: These passenger lists highlight an era before commercial air travel dominated transatlantic crossings, when Cunard’s Queens ruled the North Atlantic.
• Notable Commanders: Several distinguished captains and commodores, including Sir Ivan Thompson, Commodore C. M. Ford, and Captain R. G. Thelwell, helmed the ship during these years.

 

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Most Interesting Passenger Lists and What Makes Them Unique

While all voyages in this collection represent the grandeur of transatlantic ocean travel, a few particularly stand out for historical context, seasonal timing, and noteworthy events.

 

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1. February 13, 1947 – One of the Earliest Postwar Voyages

• Why It’s Interesting: This voyage was one of the earliest postwar transatlantic crossings for the Queen Elizabeth as she resumed peacetime service.
• Historical Context: The ship had been used extensively during WWII and was only recently returned to its luxurious civilian liner status.
• Route: Southampton to New York.
• Commander: Captain C. M. Ford.

 

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2. October 31, 1948 – The Halloween Voyage

• Why It’s Interesting: This unique voyage, departing on Halloween Night, would have been a festive journey, complete with onboard celebrations and themed events for passengers.
• Class: Tourist Class (an emerging option for middle-class travelers).
• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg.
• Commander: Captain C. M. Ford.

 

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3. June 23, 1949 – First-Class Elegance

• Why It’s Interesting: This is one of the few first-class exclusive passenger lists, offering a glimpse into the elite travelers of the time.
• Luxury Experience: First-class passengers aboard the Queen Elizabeth enjoyed gourmet dining, grand salons, and private cabins rivaling the best hotels in the world.
• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg.
• Commander: Commodore C. M. Ford.

 

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4. June 11, 1953 – Post-Coronation Voyage

• Why It’s Interesting: Departing just days after Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on June 2, 1953, this voyage likely carried an atmosphere of royal celebration.
• Class: Tourist Class.
• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg.
• Commander: Commodore H. Grattidge.

 

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5. December 23, 1954 – The Christmas Voyage

• Why It’s Interesting: A Christmas transatlantic journey aboard the Queen Elizabeth would have been a lavish affair, filled with holiday festivities, grand feasts, and exclusive entertainment.
• Passengers likely included: British and American social elites, diplomats, and seasonal travelers spending the holidays abroad.
• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg.
• Commander: Commodore C. I. Thompson.

 

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Notable Themes in This Collection

 

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1. The Rise of Tourist Class (Postwar Travel Democratization)

• Many lists include Tourist Class (a term Cunard adopted to replace Third Class) as a more affordable option for middle-class travelers.
• Before WWII, ocean travel was mostly for the wealthy, but the late 1940s and 1950s saw the rise of mass tourism by sea.

 

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2. The Evolution of Commanders and Ship Operations

• Multiple Commodores and Captains were in charge of Queen Elizabeth during this period, reflecting Cunard’s emphasis on experienced leadership.
• Commodore C. M. Ford was a particularly prominent figure, appearing in many of these lists.
• Other notable commanders included Sir Ivan Thompson and Commodore G. E. Cove.

 

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3. The Final Years Before Aviation Overtook Ocean Liners

• These lists capture one of the last great decades of transatlantic ocean liner travel.
• By the late 1950s, jet airliners like the Boeing 707 were making transatlantic flights faster and cheaper.
• The Queen Elizabeth continued to operate, but air travel soon overshadowed ocean voyages.

 

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4. The Legacy of RMS Queen Elizabeth

• The Queen Elizabeth was an engineering marvel, considered the most luxurious liner of her time.
• Her legacy lives on in the cruise industry, inspiring the later Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) and Queen Elizabeth (2010).
• In 1968, she was retired and later destroyed in a tragic fire in Hong Kong in 1972, marking the end of an era.

 

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Conclusion: A Golden Age of Ocean Travel Preserved

The RMS Queen Elizabeth passenger list collection (1947-1954) in the GG Archives is a rare treasure trove of maritime history, chronicling an era when ocean liners were the pinnacle of international travel.

These lists not only document the famous ship’s voyages but also offer insights into social structures, evolving travel trends, and the luxurious experience aboard one of history’s greatest ocean liners.