Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1883

Passenger lists for 1883 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 primarily covers North American and European ports and ports in Australia and South Africa.

Our collection contains samples of passenger lists produced and printed by the steamship lines. These lists are often used to illustrate family history books for immigrants from this period.

Coveted by collectors and genealogists, souvenir passenger lists often offered beautiful graphical covers and information not found in official manifests because they focused on the journey rather than the destination.

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

«
• 1882
• 1883
• 1884
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1883 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1883 Index Page

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1883 provide a glimpse into transatlantic and international steamship travel during the late 19th century. These lists, often issued as souvenirs for passengers, capture details about the voyage, the ship, and the travelers. Unlike official immigration records, these lists highlight the experience of the journey rather than just the logistics of arrival.

This collection primarily features passenger lists from ships traveling between North America and Europe, with additional routes to Australia and South Africa. Given the disappearance of many original records over time, these lists are valuable resources for genealogists, historians, and collectors.

Notable Highlights from 1883 Passenger Lists

1. SS State of Pennsylvania (State Line Steamship Co.) – 28 June 1883
   • Route: New York to Glasgow
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain Alex Ritchie
   • Significance: This voyage represents a key transatlantic route between Scotland and the United States, a significant corridor for Scottish emigration. The State Line was known for offering relatively affordable cabin accommodations, appealing to middle-class emigrants and business travelers.
2. SS Furnessia (Anchor Steamship Line) – 30 June 1883
   • Route: New York to Liverpool
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain J. J. Small
   • Significance: The Anchor Line was a major player in transatlantic travel, serving many Scottish and Irish emigrants. This list documents saloon-class passengers, reflecting the experience of wealthier travelers who enjoyed superior accommodations.
3. SS City of Chicago (Inman Line) – 25 October 1883
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Robert Leitch
   • Significance: The Inman Line was one of the first companies to introduce steam-powered ships for regular transatlantic service. The City of Chicago was a modern vessel for its time, and this list highlights the increasing number of upper-class passengers opting for steamship travel over traditional sailing ships.
4. SS Silesia (Hamburg-Amerika Linie) – 4 November 1883
   • Route: Hamburg to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin and Steerage
   • Commander: Captain Heinrich H. Barends
   • Significance: The Hamburg-Amerika Line (HAPAG) was a dominant force in European emigration, particularly for Germans, Eastern Europeans, and Scandinavians heading to the U.S. This list includes both cabin and steerage passengers, offering insight into the stark contrast between travel classes.
5. SS Furnessia (Anchor Steamship Line) – 7 December 1883
   • Route: Glasgow to New York via Moville
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain John Hedderwick
   • Significance: The second mention of the Furnessia in 1883 reinforces its importance on the transatlantic route, especially for Scottish emigrants. The inclusion of Moville, Ireland, as a stop suggests that many Irish passengers also boarded during the journey.

Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1883

• The Rise of Steamship Dominance:
  By 1883, steamships had almost completely replaced sailing vessels for transatlantic and transpacific travel. Companies such as Inman Line, Anchor Line, and Hamburg-Amerika were rapidly expanding their fleets, making ocean travel faster, safer, and more reliable.
• Increasing European Emigration to the U.S.:
  Immigration continued to rise, particularly from Germany, Ireland, and Scandinavia, fueling high demand for steerage accommodations on ships like SS Silesia. This was largely driven by economic hardship and political instability in Europe.
• Competition Among Steamship Lines:
  The Cunard Line, White Star Line, and Inman Line were competing fiercely to attract saloon-class passengers with luxurious accommodations, dining, and improved ship designs. This competition led to better conditions for wealthier travelers while steerage conditions remained cramped and basic.
• Improvements in Maritime Safety and Comfort:
  By 1883, shipbuilding innovations had made ocean liners more stable and efficient, reducing the length of voyages and enhancing passenger safety. Ships were also being fitted with improved ventilation, electric lighting, and better food provisions.

Final Thoughts

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1883 illustrate the diversity of travelers and the expansion of transatlantic routes during a period of major change in ocean travel. The contrast between luxurious saloon-class voyages and crowded steerage experiences highlights the economic divide in 19th-century travel. The continued presence of Scottish, Irish, and German emigrants on these passenger lists reflects broader migration trends that shaped the demographic landscape of the United States.

This collection is a valuable historical record, preserving details of voyages that contributed to the era’s mass migration, technological progress, and transatlantic commerce.