SS Samaria Passenger Lists 1923-1949

RMS Samaria (1921) of the Cunard Line. GGA Image ID # 1d36b4ff54

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

Browse the RMS Samaria Archival Collection that Includes Heilig Olav (1902) Scandinavian-American Line; Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Deck Plans; Passage Rates; Route Maps, Track Charts, or Abstract of Logs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Postcards; Photographs; Sailing Schedules; 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

The Voyages of the RMS Samaria (1923–1949)

The RMS Samaria, a proud vessel of the Cunard Line, served as a lifeline across the Atlantic from the 1920s to the post-war period. With a reputation for reliability, comfort, and prestige, the ship transported politicians, scholars, military officials, clergy, and social elites across the ocean, often serving as a platform for diplomatic exchanges and cultural migration.

This collection of passenger lists from 1923 to 1949, housed in the GG Archives, provides a fascinating glimpse into the individuals who shaped international affairs, academia, and social movements during this dynamic period in history.

 

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Most Fascinating Passenger Lists & Their Significance

1. 1923-07-26 | Second Class | The Early Elite | Liverpool to Boston

• Why It Stands Out: One of the earliest recorded voyages, this list features military and academic figures, establishing the ship’s early reputation as a favored vessel for professionals and dignitaries.
• Notable Travelers:
  • Major Kilburn – A high-ranking British Army officer, suggesting the vessel’s significance in transatlantic military relations.

 

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2. 1924-10-25 | Saloon Class | The Aristocrats’ Voyage | Liverpool to New York

• Why It Stands Out: This voyage carried a mix of British and American elites, reinforcing the close ties between the two nations.
• Notable Travelers:
  • Sir Martin Abrahamson, K.B.E. – A highly decorated British official, signaling governmental and diplomatic engagement.
  • Dr. James H. Means (1885–1967) – A prominent physician, showing the ship’s appeal to leading medical figures.

 

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3. 1931-08-29 | Cabin & Tourist Class | The Thinkers’ Voyage | Southampton to New York

• Why It Stands Out: This crossing featured distinguished intellectuals, religious figures, and military leaders, highlighting the ship’s status as a conduit for global thought leaders.
• Notable Travelers:
  • Col. A. Ames – A senior military officer, adding to the ship’s roster of military elites.
  • Dr. Moses Hyamson (1863–1949) – A notable rabbi and scholar, reflecting the influence of religious leaders in transatlantic discourse.

 

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4. 1935-07-27 & 1935-08-24 | Third Class | The Religious Crossings | Liverpool to Boston & New York

• Why It Stands Out: These voyages carried an impressive number of clergy, suggesting the ship’s role in religious missions and theological exchanges.
• Notable Travelers:
  • Rev. H. Baker & Rev. M. Schuster – Representing a strong connection to religious and social work across the Atlantic.
  • Miss J. Shackleton – A likely member of the famous Shackleton family, indicating the ship’s connection to explorers and adventurers.

 

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5. 1936-07-24 | Cabin & Tourist Class | The High Society Voyage | Liverpool to New York & Boston

• Why It Stands Out: A voyage marked by high-ranking clergy, medical professionals, and scholars, reinforcing the ship’s reputation among the educated elite.
• Notable Travelers:
  • Rt. Rev. Matthew Creamer – A bishop, further establishing the ship’s importance to religious leaders.
  • Dr. Stephen G. Jones – A leading medical figure, showing that the medical profession consistently favored the Samaria.

 

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6. 1936-08-21 | Tourist Class | The Academic Exchange | Liverpool to New York

• Why It Stands Out: A voyage that saw the crossing of several prominent academics, marking the Samaria’s role in transatlantic intellectual collaboration.
• Notable Travelers:
  • Dr. A. G. Brodie & Rev. D. W. Bayliss – Intellectuals with a background in religious and scientific studies.
  • Capt. W. J. Bushell – A naval officer, reinforcing the ship’s military significance.

 

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7. 1949-09-09 | Youth Argosy | The Students’ Voyage | London to Quebec

• Why It Stands Out: One of the final recorded voyages, this journey was dedicated to young scholars and academics, marking a post-war shift towards educational travel.
• Notable Travelers:
  • Dr. H. Bliss & Prof. G. Guillen – Academics leading a new generation of scholars on an Atlantic exchange.
  • Rev. G. E. Cheek & Mrs. S. Anderson – A spiritual and social influence, ensuring the journey was both intellectually and ethically enriching.

 

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Conclusion

The RMS Samaria was more than just an ocean liner—it was a vessel of diplomacy, knowledge, and religious exchange. Whether carrying aristocrats, scientists, clergy, or military leaders, the Samaria played a crucial role in transatlantic relations during a transformative period in history.

Through these preserved passenger lists, we gain invaluable insight into the individuals who shaped global affairs, providing a legacy of intellectual, diplomatic, and spiritual exchange across the Atlantic.