Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1888

Passenger lists for 1888 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

«
• 1887
• 1888
• 1889
»

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

Recap and Summary of the Castle Garden Passenger Lists - 1888 Index Page

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1888 provide a fascinating snapshot of transatlantic ocean travel in the late 19th century. These souvenir lists, often ornately designed, were issued to passengers as mementos of their voyage, rather than serving as official immigration records. The collection primarily documents routes between North America and Europe, with a notable focus on saloon, cabin, and second-class passengers, offering insight into luxury travel and business migration during this period.

Several major steamship lines are represented, including Cunard Line, Anchor Line, Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (French Line - CGT), and North German Lloyd. While many of the featured voyages were dominated by wealthier travelers, the inclusion of a steerage-class passenger list (SS Lahn, 14 November 1888) provides an important glimpse into mass migration patterns.

Notable Highlights from 1888 Passenger Lists

1. SS La Bourgogne (French Line - CGT) – 10 March 1888
   • Route: Le Havre to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain Frangeul
   • Significance: The French Line was known for its elegant and comfortable cabins, attracting French elites, diplomats, and well-to-do emigrants. This journey from Le Havre to New York represents a key route connecting France with the growing French-speaking communities in the U.S.
2. RMS Umbria (Cunard Line) – 9 June 1888
   • Route: Liverpool to New York
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain McMickan
   • Significance: The RMS Umbria was one of Cunard’s fastest and most luxurious ships, boasting advanced steam technology. The presence of saloon passengers highlights the ship’s role in serving business travelers and high-society passengers.
3. SS City of Rome (Anchor Line) – 13 June 1888
   • Route: New York to Liverpool
   • Passenger Class: Second Class
   • Commander: Captain Hugh Young
   • Significance: This is one of the few second-class passenger lists from this period. Second-class travel was often preferred by middle-class professionals and skilled workers, offering a more affordable yet comfortable alternative to saloon-class accommodations.
4. SS La Normandie (French Line - CGT) – 30 June 1888
   • Route: Le Havre to New York
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain G. de Kersabiec
   • Significance: Another French Line vessel, this voyage again underscores France’s significant transatlantic presence, serving both immigrants and business-class passengers traveling between the two continents.
5. SS Furnessia (Anchor Line) – 19 July & 23 August 1888
   • Route: Glasgow to New York via Moville
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain John Hedderwick
   • Significance: The repeat voyages of the Furnessia highlight its importance in the Glasgow to New York route, which was crucial for Scottish and Irish emigrants. The stop at Moville, Ireland, suggests it picked up Irish passengers, many of whom were leaving due to economic hardship and land displacement.
6. RMS Scythia (Cunard Line) – 30 August 1888
   • Route: Liverpool to Boston
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Roberts
   • Significance: This voyage is one of the few on this list bound for Boston, which was a major entry point for Irish, Italian, and German immigrants. The focus on saloon-class passengers suggests this voyage was also favored by business travelers.
7. SS La Bretagne (French Line - CGT) – 1 September 1888
   • Route: New York to Le Havre
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain De Jousselin
   • Significance: This return journey to France provides insight into the transatlantic movement of merchants, professionals, and French expatriates returning to Europe.
8. SS La Champagne (French Line - CGT) – 29 September 1888
   • Route: New York to Le Havre
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain Boyer
   • Significance: Another French Line voyage, underscoring the importance of French transatlantic migration and travel. The frequency of these routes suggests a strong business and cultural connection between France and the U.S..
9. SS Lahn (North German Lloyd) – 14 November 1888
   • Route: Bremen to New York
   • Passenger Class: Steerage
   • Commander: Captain H. Hellmers
   • Significance: This is the only steerage-class passenger list in the 1888 collection, offering a crucial view into the mass migration of German and Eastern European immigrants. The North German Lloyd was a major carrier of emigrants seeking better opportunities in the United States.

Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1888

• Booming European Immigration to the U.S.:
  • By 1888, the U.S. was experiencing one of the highest waves of immigration, with many arrivals coming from Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe. The presence of a steerage-class passenger list (SS Lahn) highlights this trend.
• Competition Among Steamship Lines:
  • The Cunard Line, French Line (CGT), and Anchor Line were aggressively competing for saloon and second-class passengers, leading to luxury upgrades in ocean travel.
• Expansion of French Transatlantic Travel:
  • The French Line’s dominance in this collection suggests a strong business and diplomatic relationship between France and the United States.
• Rise of Boston as an Immigration Hub:
  • The RMS Scythia’s Liverpool-Boston route reflects Boston’s growing importance as a primary entry port, particularly for Irish and Italian immigrants.
• Advancements in Ship Design:
  • Steamship lines were building larger, faster, and more comfortable ships, improving safety and reducing travel times across the Atlantic.
• Ellis Island Planning Underway:
  • Castle Garden was still the primary immigration station, but discussions about replacing it with Ellis Island (which opened in 1892) were intensifying due to overcrowding and inefficiencies.

Final Thoughts

The Castle Garden Passenger Lists for 1888 reflect the diverse nature of transatlantic travel, from luxury saloon-class passengers on the RMS Umbria and SS Furnessia to steerage emigrants aboard the SS Lahn. The prominence of French Line (CGT) ships in this collection also highlights France’s growing role in transatlantic migration and business travel.

While most voyages in this collection cater to wealthier travelers, the inclusion of a steerage-class passenger list provides a more complete picture of migration trends in the 1880s. This collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of transatlantic steamship travel, the migration of European populations, and the growing competition among major ocean liner companies.