Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1887

Passenger lists for 1887 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

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• 1886
• 1887
• 1888
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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1887 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1887 Index Page

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1887 offer a fascinating snapshot of transatlantic and international ocean travel during the late 19th century. These souvenir passenger lists, often featuring ornate designs and detailed journey records, provide insight into the diverse range of travelers crossing the ocean. Unlike official immigration records, they emphasize the experience of the journey rather than arrival procedures.

This collection primarily documents transatlantic routes between North America and Europe, focusing on ships from major steamship lines such as Cunard, Inman, Anchor, and the French Line (CGT - Compagnie Générale Transatlantique). Interestingly, the majority of listed passengers traveled in saloon or second class, indicating a focus on wealthier travelers and professionals, rather than the mass migration of steerage-class passengers.

Notable Highlights from 1887 Passenger Lists

1. SS La Bretagne (French Line) – 5 February 1887
   • Route: New York to Le Havre
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain De Jousselin
   • Significance: The French Line (CGT) was one of the leading luxury steamship companies of the time, known for catering to French and European elites. This voyage highlights the return journey of American and French passengers to Europe, a less frequently documented side of transatlantic travel.
2. SS La Champagne (French Line) – 5 February 1887
   • Route: Le Havre to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain Edouard G. Traub
   • Significance: This passenger list reflects the strong connection between France and the United States, particularly as immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe was beginning to rise. The French Line was popular among business travelers, diplomats, and well-to-do immigrants.
3. RMS Aurania (Cunard Line) – 26 February & 26 March 1887
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Hains
   • Significance: The RMS Aurania was a major Cunard liner, well-regarded for its speed and comfort. The repeated documentation of this ship indicates its high passenger demand, particularly for elite travelers making regular crossings.
4. SS City of Chicago (Inman Line) – 4 June 1887
   • Route: New York to Liverpool via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Frederick Watkins
   • Significance: The stop in Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, was a key point for Irish emigrants heading to the U.S. While this list focuses on saloon-class passengers, it’s important to note that many Irish emigrants in steerage also departed from Queenstown on the same ships.
5. SS Servia (Cunard Line) – 18 June 1887
   • Route: New York to Liverpool
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Horatio McKay
   • Significance: The SS Servia was one of Cunard’s largest ships at the time and among the first ocean liners built with steel hulls, making it safer and more durable. This voyage represents the continued evolution of transatlantic shipbuilding.
6. RMS Pavonia (Cunard Line) – 23 August 1887
   • Route: Liverpool to Boston
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain A. McKay
   • Significance: Unlike most transatlantic routes that focused on New York, this voyage to Boston highlights an important but less documented immigration corridor. Boston was a major arrival port for Irish and Italian immigrants.
7. SS Circassia (Anchor Line) – 1 September 1887
   • Route: Glasgow to New York via Moville
   • Passenger Class: Second Class
   • Commander: Captain A. Campbell
   • Significance: This is one of the few second-class passenger lists from this period, as most surviving records document saloon-class travelers. The Glasgow to New York route was heavily used by Scottish and Irish emigrants, and Moville (Ireland) was a key embarkation point.

Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1887

• Increased Transatlantic Migration from Europe:
  • The 1880s saw a surge in immigration, with many newcomers arriving from Ireland, Germany, and Italy. While these lists focus on wealthier travelers, most transatlantic passengers were actually steerage-class emigrants seeking a better life in the United States.
• Expansion of Luxury Travel:
  • Steamship lines were competing for elite passengers, improving saloon accommodations with lavish dining, better entertainment, and private cabins. The Cunard, French, and Inman Lines were leaders in making ocean travel more appealing to business travelers and the upper class.
• Advancements in Shipbuilding:
  • The SS Servia, documented in this collection, was one of the first steel-hulled transatlantic ocean liners. This represented a major shift away from iron-hulled and wooden ships, making voyages safer and more reliable.
• Economic and Political Shifts in the U.S. and Europe:
  • The U.S. economy was booming, drawing more European immigrants. Meanwhile, Ireland and Italy were struggling with economic hardship, political unrest, and famine, pushing many to seek passage to America.
• Ellis Island Immigration Center Plans:
  • Although Castle Garden remained the primary processing center for immigrants in 1887, discussions were underway to replace it with a more modern facility. In 1892, Ellis Island would open, changing the way immigrants were processed upon arrival.

Final Thoughts

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1887 primarily highlight upper-class and second-class travelers, documenting voyages from New York, Liverpool, Glasgow, Le Havre, and Boston. While the majority of transatlantic migrants traveled in steerage, these lists provide insight into the business elite, wealthy emigrants, and transatlantic professionals who traveled in saloon and second-class accommodations.

One of the most significant aspects of this collection is the diversity of steamship lines represented. The French Line (CGT), Cunard Line, Inman Line, and Anchor Line were among the most competitive companies of the era, and their services reflected the increasing stratification of ocean travel—where luxury expanded for the wealthy, while conditions remained difficult for steerage passengers.

This collection is a valuable historical resource, offering insight into the evolution of transatlantic travel, luxury ocean liners, and migration trends during a critical decade of steamship development.