SS America Passenger List – July 12, 1922: Diplomats, Military Leaders & Influential Travelers
Explore the passenger list of the SS America from July 12, 1922, featuring diplomats, military officers, and scholars traveling from Bremen to New York. Discover notable figures like U.S. Consul General William Dawson and renowned botanist Agnes Chase.
Front Cover, Cabin Passenger List for the SS America of the United States Lines, Departing 12 July 1922 from Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg, Commanded by Captain W. Rind, USNRF. GGA Image ID # 1e2c550306
Senior Officers and Staff
- Commander: Captain W. Rind, U. S. N. R. F
- Chief Officer: W. B. Oakley
- Chief Engineer: P. Brennan
- Surgeon: A. E. Wood
- Purser: A. Koppenjan
- Asst. Purser: J. Wright
- Chief Steward: J. C. Byrnes
The Fleet
Bremen Service
- George Washington
- America
- Susquehanna
- President Harding Formerly Lone Star State
- President Roosevelt Formerly Peninsula State
- President Arthur Formerly Princess Matoika
- President Fillmore Formerly Hudson
London Service
- President Garfield Formerly Blue Hen State
- President Adams Formerly Centennial State
- President Polk Formerly Granite State
- President Van Buren Formerly Old North State
- President Monroe Formerly Panhandle State
First Cabin Passengers
- Mr. Robert Aitkin
- Mrs. Robert Aitkin
- Mr. Kurt J. Bartsch
- Mrs. Louise M. E. Blackborne
- Mrs. Sophie Brann
- Miss Clara E. du Brau
- Mr. William Broan
- Mr. William Bussang
- Miss Agnes Chase
- Mr. J. M. Creighton
- Mr. William Dawson, Consul General
- Mrs. Lester Elwood
- Mr. Warren Forster
- Mr. Emil Grell
- Miss Sophie Griessen
- Mrs. Lina Griinebaum
- Miss Caecilie Griinebaum
- Miss Bella Griinebaum
- Miss Eleonora Griinebaum
- Mr. E. F. Gundlach
- Mr. Christian Hachmeister
- Mrs. Christian Hachmeister
- Mr. William Hamann
- Mrs. William Hamann
- Miss Frieda Hartmann
- Mr. Charles Hislaire
- Mrs. Charles Hislaire
- Mrs. Halloweli Irwin
- Mr. F. R. Kent
- Mrs. F. R. Kent
- Mr. Ralf Ketzinger
- Mrs. Ralf Ketzinger
- Miss Alice Ketzinger
- Mr. Gustav Klinge
- Mr. Richard Knaur
- Mr. Thomas Knaur
- Mrs. Mizzi Edle von Kragora
- Mr. Josef Kratky
- Mrs. Josef Kratky
- Mr. Leonard Ladenburger
- Mr. Theo Ladenburger
- Mrs. Harriet H. Lewis
- Miss Ella F. Me Govern
- Mr. Richard B. Moore
- Mr. Chas. W. Oakford
- Mrs. Chas. W. Oakford
- Mrs. M. Vivian Peirce
- Miss May B. Peirce
- Mr. Nicolaus Pfeil
- Mr. Carl Pickhardt
- Mrs. Carl Pickhardt
- Mr. Frank Radke
- Mrs, Paula Reinbold
- Miss Lina Riegel
- Colonel Victor E. Ruehl
- Mr. William C. Seipp
- Mrs. Hedw. Maria Slater
- Mr. George M. Sprowls
- Mr. Edgar Swick
- Mr. Edgar W. Swick
- Miss Dorothy C. Swick
- Miss Majorie L. Swick
- Dr. O. W. Scholpp
- Mr. Friedrich Schwanhausser
- Miss Dora Schwanhausser
- Mr. N. L. Stone
- Mr. M. Udell
- Mrs. M. Udell
- Mr. Philip Vetsburg
- Mrs. Philip Vetsburg
- Mr. Joseph Weinberger
- Mr. Sandor Weinberger
- Mr. Chas. F. Westerfeld
- Mr. Michael Winter
- Miss Eleanor Woodruff
- Mr. Henry Wyand
- Mr. Robert Wyder
Back Cover, SS America Passenger LIst, 12 July 1922. GGA Image ID # 1e2c9d93c9
Second Cabin Passengers
- Mrs. H. J. Abbott
- Miss Eleanore Abbott
- Mr. Eberhard Abt
- Miss Antoie Adamuwic
- Mr. Johann Ahrens
- Mr. Ignatz Ajdeschek
- Mr. Rebecka Albers
- Miss Marie Altmann
- Mr. Hermann Arndt
- Miss Katharina Babjarcsik
- Mrs. Berta Bachenheimer
- Mr. Josef Bachenheimer
- Mr. Oscar Bachenheimer
- Miss Johanne Bachenheimer
- Mr. Harry Baraz
- Mr. Nachmann Baraz
- Miss Anna Barna
- Mr. Adolf Bastar
- Miss Lina Bayer
- Miss Katharina Becker
- Mr. Edward v. Beesten
- Mr. Jan Benda
- Miss Klara Bender
- Mr. Lazar Berezowski
- Mrs. Anna Bergmann
- Mr. George John Birkhahn
- Miss Ilona Blazsek
- Mr. Louis Blum
- Mrs. Frederike Blum
- Mr. John F. Boehning
- Mr. Isidore S. Bollog
- Mrs. Therese Boni
- Mr. Theodor Bors
- Mr. Heinrich Bors
- Mrs. Gertrude Boysen
- Mrs. Sophie Braun
- Mr. Johann Brenner
- Mr. Arthur Brinklaw
- Mrs. Arthur Brinklaw
- Miss Anna Brinkmann
- Miss Irwin Brown
- Mr. George Biickmann
- Miss Frieda Biihrmann
- Mrs. Anna Cammann
- Mr. Bernhard Capelle
- Mrs. Bertha Capelle
- Mr. Janos David
- Mrs. Erzsebet David
- Mr. C. Dimeck
- Mr. John Albert Dinkelkamp
- Mrs. Lucia Dinkelkamp
- Mr. Simon Djemdjemian
- Miss Anna Dobrauer
- Mr. Hermann Doepp
- Master Joseph Doepp
- Miss Marie Doepp
- Mr. Heinrich Diirst
- Mr. William Egli
- Mrs. Frieda Egli
- Mr. William Egli
- Master Eleanore J. Egli
- Miss Luise Ehrenfried
- Mr. Salman Elianad
- Mrs. Sarah Elianad
- Miss Ephrann Elianad
- Master Sol. Elianad
- Master Gregory Elianad
- Miss Eugena Elianad
- Mrs. Emma Fearnehough
- Miss Sophie Findura
- Mr. Theodor Georg Fischer
- Miss Karolina Fischer
- Miss Margarete Foertsch
- Mr. William C. Fork
- Mr. Ferdinand Frauknecht
- Mrs. Blanche Frauknecht
- Mr. Egon Friedlander
- Miss Rosa Frisch
- Miss Gazeila Frisch
- Mr. Gottlieb Fuchslocher
- Mr. Josef Gager
- Mr. Frank Gantner
- Mrs. Rosa Gantner
- Miss Emma Gantner
- Miss Antonia Garbalianskaite
- Mr. Istvan Gaspar
- Mr. J. N. Gill
- Mr. Heinrich Glauer
- Mr. Bruno Glauer
- Mr. Paul Glauer
- Mr. Adolf Glauer
- Mrs. Dora Gold
- Mr. Felix Goldbach
- Mr. Heinrich Gozzar
- Mr. Bertram Greenwald
- Mr. Hermann Grethel
- Mrs. Marie Grufikova
- Mr. Wladislaw Grufskova
- Mr. Louis Haar
- Mr. Hans Haberkorn
- Mr. Franz Harzbecker
- Mr. Eugen Haug
- Mrs. Mary Haug
- Mrs. Camilla Hauptvogel
- Miss Grete Heidemann
- Mrs. Marie Heilmann
- Mr. August Heinrichs
- Mr. Anton Henke
- Mrs. Marie Henke
- Mr. Clemens Henke
- Mrs. Meta Henke
- Rev. J. A. Hennessy
- Mrs. Alice Herbst
- Miss Ella Herbst
- Master Ronald Herbst
- Emil Herbst
- Miss Emma Hermann
- Mr. Werner Hintzpeter
- Miss M. Hird
- Mrs. Ilona Hirsch and infant
- Mr. Fred R. Hoff
- Miss Margarete Hormann
- Miss Franziska Hornischer
- Miss Karolina Hubacek
- Mrs. Sofie Hiinerfauth
- Mr. Ferencz Jacob
- Miss Juliana Janos
- Major Davenport Johnsen
- Mrs. Dora Junge
- Miss Magret Junge
- Miss Frieda Kaasmann
- Miss Maria Kabona
- Miss Terez Kalasz
- Mr. Edward F. Kambly
- Mr. Paul Kambly
- Mr. Joseph H. Karlowsky
- Mr. Adolf Kieling
- Mr. Henry Kinzel
- Mr. Charles Klein
- Mrs. Zelenka Klein
- Master William Klein
- Mr. George Knaut
- Mrs. Else Knaut
- Miss Linna Kohler
- Mr. August Konig
- Mrs. Maria Konig
- Mr. Karel Koudelka
- Mrs. Marie Koudelka
- Mr. Ludwig Kramer
- Miss Pauline Kubler
- Miss Emmy Kiinzler
- Mr. F. Me. Lean
- Mrs. M. Me. Lean
- Mr. B. A. Leonard
- Mr. Walter Leuenberger
- Mrs. Ida Lietzow
- Mr. Wilhelm Loeser
- Mr. Eugen Lohmiiller
- Mr. Fritz Lutzeiberger
- Mr. Sandor Major
- Miss Anna Makay
- Miss Marie Marsik
- Mr. Jozsef Maszlog
- Miss Mary Matowski
- Mr. Emil Miehlke
- Mrs. Anna Miehlke
- Miss Erna Miehlke
- Miss Edna Miehlke
- Mr. Fred Miller
- Mr. Artanas Mockelunas
- Mr. Josef Moravec
- Mr. William Moravec
- Miss Emilie Naumann
- Miss Martha Nowack
- Mr. Janos Palfi
- Mr. Emil Papert
- Mr. Theodore Patz
- Mrs. Anna Patz
- Miss Anna Patzke
- Mrs. Freda Pfuhl
- Miss Andela Pitok
- Mrs. Vlasta Pievova
- Miss Vinzy Pievova
- Miss Anna Polivka
- Miss Elly Popczyh
- Mr. Charles Poskocil
- Miss Anna Pribkova
- Mrs. L. E. Prior
- Mr. J. V. Prior
- Mr. John Prochazka
- Mr. Josef Prusa
- Mr. Maximilian Quittmann
- Mr. Frederik Rasser
- Mr. Bernhard Rauer
- Mrs. Frieda Rauer
- Master Bernhold Rauer
- Mr. Arthur Geo Rawlinson
- Mr. Gustav Reim
- Mr. Curt Reiter
- Miss Zuzanna Revak
- Mr. George Richter
- Mrs. Zuzanna Riemer
- Mr. Joseph Riemer
- Mr. Brenno Riese
- Mrs. Berta Rona
- Mr. C. J, Rubery
- Mrs. Rubery
- Mrs. Anna Salzer
- Master Franz Salzer
- Miss M. Scranton
- Mr. Frank Secky
- Miss Marie Seidlova
- Miss Emilie Seitz
- Miss Jolan Sessler
- Mr. Alexander Shunk
- Mrs. Shunk Master Shunk
- Mrs. Bertha Siegel
- Mr. Nandor Singer
- Mr. Leon Silver
- Miss Marie Skopkova
- Miss Ilinona Soldanova
- Mrs. Ethel B. Spangler
- Mr. Carl F. Spangler
- Miss Klara Spielmann
- Mrs. Marie Spindler
- Mr. Anton Spitzmiller
- Mr. Josef Supak
- Mr. Bruno Suss
- Mr. Karel Svanderlik
- Mr. Philipp Swedosch
- Mrs. Anna Schaub
- Mr. Philipp Scheller
- Mr. Johann Schmidt
- Miss Pauline Schmidt
- Miss Marie Schmitz
- Mr. Willy Schneider
- Mrs. Rose Schneider
- Miss Maria Scholtz
- Miss Elfriede Schuch
- Mr. Leo Schwiddessen
- Mrs. Elisa Schwiddessen
- Master Rene Schwiddessen
- Mr. Kurt Starke
- Mr. Eugen Steiner
- Mr. Hardy Steiner
- Miss Margot Steiner
- Mr. Karl Stephan
- Mrs. Maria Stocker and infant
- Master Emil Stocker
- Miss Rosa Stockhausen
- Mr. Joseph Stockhausen
- Mr. August Stoessinger
- Mr. Ferdinand Taragua
- Mrs. Frantiska Tichy and infant
- Ludmilla Tichy
- Marie Tichy
- Jindriska Tichy
- Mrs. F. W. Updegraff
- Mr. Edward T. Usalem
- Mrs. Christine Vaisz
- Mr. Jindrich Vardan
- Miss Amalie Vardan
- Mr. Francis M. Verdi
- Miss Marie Vavrova
- Mr. Otto Wagner
- Mr. Bernhard Wecker
- Mrs. Helen Weinberger
- Mrs. Maria Wetzel
- Mr. Philipp Wetzel
- Mr. John G. Wich
- Chana Winik
- Mrs. Helene Wiirtenberger
- Master Oskar Wiirtenberger
- Miss Anna Zidkowa
- Mrs. Erna Zimmer
- Master Carl Heinz Zimmer
- Miss Margareta Zitkowitz
- Miss Viktorie Zlamalik
- Mr. Herbert Zota
For Southampton:
- Miss Ruby Dark
Information for Passengers
Hours for Meals are posted at the Information Bureau on the steamer.
Lights are extinguished in the Saloon at 11:00 pmy Lounge, Reading Room and Smoking Room at 11:30 pm
Divine Service in the Saloon on Sunday at 10:30 am
INFORMATION BUREAU This office has been provided for the convenience of Passengers, where all enquiries for information of a general character should be made.
Passengers should personally ascertain whether there is any mail for them before disembarking, and they are invited to leave their addresses at the Information Bureau for later despatches to be redirected.
Passengers’ Addresses may be left at the Information Bureau in order that any letters sent to the care of the Company may be forwarded.
None of the ship’s staff, other than those on duty in the Information Bureau, is authorized to accept Letters or Telegrams for despatch.
Passengers are requested to ask for a receipt on the Lines’ Form for any additional Passage Money, Chair Hire, or Freight paid on board.
LETTERS, CABLES AND TELEGRAMS Letters, Cables and Telegrams are received at the Information Bureau for despatch, and Postage Stamps can be purchased, also all Mails will be distributed there. Cablegrams and Telegrams should be handed in an hour before the arrival at any port of call.
WIRELESS SERVICE The long range wireless equipment permits of the vessel communicating with the shore from any point during the trip to or from Europe. Passengers desiring to send message will consult the operator for rates.
LETTERS, ETC., FOR PASSENGERS Letters, etc., for passengers will be brought on board before the passengers land.
SEATS AT TABLE Passengers who have not previously arranged for seats at table to be reserved should apply for same to the Chief Steward.
SMOKING Passengers are requested not to smoke in the Dining Saloons.
DECK CHAIRS and STEAMER RUGS These may be hired at $ 1.50 each for the voyage on application to the deck steward.
ELECTRIC BATH The Charge for the use of the Electric Bath is fixed at $ 1.50.
MEDICAL ATTENTION The Surgeon is always at the disposal of those passengers requiring his services. In case of illness originating on board, or after the departure of the steamer, no charge will be made for those services, and such medicines as are prescribed by the Ship’s Surgeons will be furnished without expense to the passengers. In cases of illness, not originating on board, the Surgeon is permitted to make the following charges:
- For office visits, $ 1.00 per visit
- For state-room visits, $ 2.00 per visit with a maximum charge of $ 4.00 per day
If the passengers consider that the charges made by the Surgeon for such services as he renders are improper or excessive, they are requested, before paying same, to take up the question with the Commander, and the bill will be either adjusted to a basis that will be satisfactory to the passenger or withdrawn. The purpose of the United States
Lines is to make its service satisfactory to all passengers. Surgeons are not allowed to make any charge for services rendered to Third Class passengers.
BAGGAGE
On disembarking passengers are specially requested to claim their baggage before leaving the Custom- Office, otherwise under present abnormal conditions considerable delay and extra charge for carriage will be incurred in forwarding to destination any baggage not accompanying passenger on the railway.
EXCHANGE OF MONEY
The Purser is prepared, for the convenience of passengers, to exchange a limited amount of money at rates which will be advised on application.
VALUABLES
The United States Lines has provided a safe in the office of the Purser, in which passengers may deposit money, jewels, or ornaments for safe keeping. The Company will not be liable to passengers for the loss of money, jewels, or ornaments by theft or otherwise, not so deposited.
RETURN PASSENGERS
First and Second class passengers, embarking at Cherbourg, must communicate with our Paris Passage Office, United States Lines, 11 bis rue Scribe, several days before sailing.
Passengers embarking at London or Southampton must communicate with our London Passage Office, United States Lines, 3 Cockspur Street S. W. 1, several days before sailing.
Passengers embarking at Queenstown must communicate with the Limerick Steamship Company, several days before the departure of the steamer, in order to ascertain definite information regarding the reservations and sailing hour of steamer.
First class passengers embarking at Bremen must call at our Bremen Office, Norddeutscher Lloyd, Passenger Department, Papenstrasse, the day before sailing, in order to secure their rail tickets from Bremen to Bremerhaven.
Second class passengers, embarking at Bremen, must call at the office of the Norddeutscher Lloyd, Passenger Department, Papenstrasse, two Days prior to the departure of steamer, in order to comply with Government Regulations and secure rail tickets from Bremen to Bremerhaven.
🚢 SS America Passenger List – July 12, 1922: A Voyage of Diplomats, Scholars, and Noteworthy Travelers
📜 Overview & Historical Context
On July 12, 1922, the SS America of the United States Lines embarked on a transatlantic journey from Bremen to New York, making stops in Southampton and Cherbourg. Under the command of Captain W. Rind, U.S. Naval Reserve Force (USNRF), this voyage represented a significant chapter in post-World War I ocean travel, as European and American passengers sought economic opportunities, reunions with family, or simply a return to their homelands.
The SS America was part of a fleet of vessels repurposed or acquired by the U.S. Shipping Board to reestablish American dominance in transatlantic passenger service. The ship’s passenger manifest reflects a diverse mix of diplomats, business leaders, academics, and military personnel, illustrating the growing global connections of the early 1920s.
🚢 The Route & Key Voyage Details
- Ship: SS America
- Operator: United States Lines
- Departure: July 12, 1922 – Bremen, Germany
- Stops: Southampton (UK) & Cherbourg (France)
- Destination: New York, USA
- Captain: W. Rind, U. S. N. R. F.
The voyage likely took around 10–12 days, depending on weather and sea conditions. As a cabin-class and second-class passenger ship, the SS America catered to upper-middle-class travelers, professionals, and immigrants moving between Europe and the United States.
👥 Notable Individuals on Board
This passenger list includes diplomats, scholars, military officers, and businessmen, many of whom played important roles in political, academic, and social circles.
🌍 Diplomats & Government Officials
Mr. William Dawson – Consul General
William Dawson was a United States Consul General, a position of great prestige in the diplomatic service. His presence suggests that he was either returning to the U.S. after a European posting or traveling for official matters.
In the 1920s, U.S. consuls were critical in handling post-war reconstruction, trade negotiations, and assisting American travelers in a still-recovering Europe.
William Dawson Jr. (1885–1972) was a distinguished American diplomat. At the time of this voyage, he held the position of Consul General. Dawson's illustrious career in the U.S. Foreign Service spanned multiple decades, during which he served as U.S. Minister to Ecuador, Colombia, and Uruguay, and as U.S. Ambassador to Panama and Uruguay. Notably, he became the first U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States in 1948. His extensive contributions to international diplomacy underscore his prominence among the passengers.
🎓 Scholars & Academics
Miss Agnes Chase – Renowned Botanist (Smithsonian Institution)
Agnes Chase was an American botanist who specialized in grass taxonomy and worked with the Smithsonian Institution.
Her research trips to Europe and South America were pivotal in establishing a scientific understanding of global grass species.
As a woman in a male-dominated field, her presence on this voyage highlights the increasing role of women in academia during the early 20th century.
Agnes Chase (1869–1963) was a renowned American botanist and agrostologist, specializing in the study of grasses. Despite lacking formal higher education, she became a leading figure in her field, working at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and later at the Smithsonian Institution. Chase's dedication to botanical research, particularly her extensive work on grass taxonomy, earned her international acclaim. Her presence on this voyage highlights the ship's role in facilitating the travels of prominent scientists of the era.
🎖️ Military Personnel
Colonel Victor E. Ruehl – U.S. Army Officer
As a Colonel in the U.S. Army, Ruehl likely had strategic or logistical responsibilities tied to post-war military relations in Europe.
His presence on a transatlantic liner suggests he could have been involved in troop logistics, diplomacy, or veterans' affairs following World War I.
Major Davenport Johnsen – Likely a U.S. or Allied Military Figure
His rank suggests he may have been returning from a European assignment, possibly tied to military training or diplomacy.
In 1922, the U.S. and European nations were still recovering from the Great War, and high-ranking officers were instrumental in rebuilding military alliances.
✝️ Religious Leaders
Rev. J. A. Hennessy – Clergy Member
Likely a Catholic or Protestant minister, Rev. Hennessy may have been returning from a missionary or religious conference in Europe.
During this period, religious leaders often traveled internationally to support displaced communities, conduct charitable work, or attend ecclesiastical meetings.
💼 Business & Industry Leaders
Mr. Christian Hachmeister & Mrs. Christian Hachmeister – German-American Businessman
The Hachmeisters were likely affluent merchants or investors with business interests in both Europe and the United States.
Many business leaders during this period were involved in transatlantic trade, particularly in manufacturing and textiles.
Mrs. Mizzi Edle von Kragora – Austrian Aristocrat?
The title "Edle von" suggests Austrian nobility or aristocratic lineage.
In the 1920s, many European nobility were emigrating or traveling due to the economic shifts following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
🛳️ The Passenger Experience: Life on Board
Traveling aboard the SS America in 1922 would have been a comfortable yet transitional experience, with the ship still adapting to its role as a U.S. passenger liner.
🍽️ Dining & Social Life
The First Cabin passengers likely enjoyed lavish meals, featuring multiple courses of European and American cuisine.
The Second Cabin class, while not as extravagant, still provided full meals, comfortable accommodations, and shared social spaces.
📜 Entertainment & Cultural Experiences
Reading rooms, lounges, and social clubs allowed passengers to mingle.
Evening concerts and music performances were often scheduled, particularly for cabin-class guests.
Religious services were held on Sundays, often led by clergy members on board.
🌊 Travel Conditions
Passengers recorded weather conditions and maritime details in personal journals, as seen in the handwritten notes found on other SS America voyage menus and documents.
The Bremen-Southampton-Cherbourg-New York route was one of the busiest during this period, with liners navigating both calm and stormy seas of the North Atlantic.
🔎 Final Thoughts: A Voyage of Opportunity & Influence
The SS America’s July 1922 voyage was more than just a routine crossing—it was a moving microcosm of global change. From diplomats and military officers shaping post-war policies to scholars and aristocrats bridging Old and New World connections, this passenger list provides a fascinating glimpse into an era of transformation.
For historians, genealogists, and researchers, this document serves as an invaluable record of individuals who played a role—whether large or small—in the shaping of American and European history during the interwar years.
Would you have wanted to sail aboard the SS America in 1922? 🚢✨
