Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1903

Our collection of 1903 passenger lists has records of voyages to and from numerous destinations, including New York, Liverpool, Naples, Boston, Glasgow, Bremen, and more. These rare keepsakes are invaluable as many have been lost over the years, making our collection even more unique and valuable.

Our collection is not just a display of historical artifacts, but a practical resource. It contains samples of passenger lists produced and printed by the steamship lines. These lists serve as valuable tools, often used to illustrate family history books for immigrants from this significant period.

Coveted by collectors and genealogists alike, souvenir passenger lists are a treasure trove of unique information. They often offered beautiful graphical covers and information not found in official manifests, as they focused on the journey rather than the destination. These lists provide a personal touch, a glimpse into the lives and experiences of our ancestors, making them invaluable for tracing family histories.

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1903 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1903 Index Page

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1903 provide an in-depth look at transatlantic and transpacific ocean travel, illustrating both migration trends and luxury travel aboard steamships. These souvenir passenger lists, highly prized by historians and genealogists, capture the journeys of first-class passengers, second-class travelers, and emigrants seeking a new life in North America.

The majority of voyages in this collection focus on transatlantic routes between Europe and North America, with ships departing from Liverpool, Glasgow, Bremen, Hamburg, Southampton, and Naples bound for New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. However, this year also includes a significant transpacific voyage (SS Siberia from Yokohama to San Francisco), reflecting the expansion of global steamship routes beyond the Atlantic.

As Ellis Island processed over 800,000 immigrants in 1903, steamship companies continued to compete for both high-class travelers and emigrants, with luxury liners like RMS Teutonic and Kaiser Wilhelm II catering to elite passengers while ships like SS Columbia and SS Anchoria carried working-class travelers.

 

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Notable Highlights from 1903 Passenger Lists

1. SS Teutonic (White Star Line) – 4 February 1903
   • Route: New York to Liverpool
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain Edward R. McKinstry
   • Significance: The Teutonic was originally designed for both commercial and military purposes, showcasing the British dominance in luxury transatlantic travel.
2. SS Vancouver (Dominion Line) – 16 May 1903
   • Route: Naples to Azores and Boston
   • Passenger Class: Saloon
   • Commander: Captain MacDonald
   • Significance: Naples' presence as a departure port reflects the continued wave of Italian immigration to North America, with Boston being a key destination for Southern Italian communities.
3. SS Anchoria (Anchor Line) – 4 June 1903
   • Route: Glasgow to New York via Moville
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain F. H. Wadsworth
   • Significance: The Moville stop highlights Ireland’s ongoing role in transatlantic migration, though Irish emigration was beginning to slow compared to previous decades.
4. SS Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse (North German Lloyd) – 30 June 1903
   • Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain O. Cüppers
   • Significance: This record-breaking German liner was one of the fastest and most prestigious ships in service, emphasizing Germany’s growing presence in luxury ocean travel.
5. SS Columbia (Anchor Line) – 8 August 1903
   • Route: Glasgow to New York
   • Passenger Class: Second Class
   • Commander: Captain Walter Baxter
   • Significance: The increasing demand for second-class travel suggests more emigrants were opting for better conditions than steerage.
6. SS Fürst Bismarck (Hamburg-Amerika Line) – 27 August 1903
   • Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain H. Leithäuser
   • Significance: Germany’s Hamburg-Amerika Line was a key player in transatlantic migration, offering both high-class accommodations and affordable tickets for emigrants.
7. SS Philadelphia (American Line) – 12 September 1903
   • Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
   • Passenger Class: Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain W. J. Roberts
   • Significance: American-owned ships were expanding their share of transatlantic travel, reflecting the U.S. effort to compete with British and German lines.
8. SS Siberia (Pacific Mail Steamship Company) – 26 September 1903
   • Route: Yokohama to San Francisco via Honolulu
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain J. Tremaine Smith
   • Significance: This is the only transpacific voyage in this collection, highlighting the increasing migration and commerce between Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast.
9. SS Kaiser Wilhelm II (North German Lloyd) – 6 October 1903
   • Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain D. Högemann
   • Significance: This ship was part of Germany’s effort to dominate the luxury transatlantic market, rivaling Cunard and White Star.
10. SS Haverford (American Line) – 7 October 1903

• Route: Liverpool to Philadelphia via Queenstown
• Passenger Class: Cabin
• Commander: Captain H. O. Neilsen
• Significance: Philadelphia was a major port for British and Irish immigrants, particularly working-class emigrants and industrial laborers.

 

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Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1903

 

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1. Immigration Boom in the U.S. and Canada

• Over 800,000 immigrants arrived at Ellis Island in 1903, primarily from Italy, Russia, and Austria-Hungary.
• The Boston and Philadelphia arrivals (SS Vancouver, SS Haverford) show the increasing importance of alternative immigration ports.

 

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2. Expansion of Transpacific Travel

• The SS Siberia’s voyage from Yokohama to San Francisco highlights the growing Asian migration to the U.S., as Japanese and Chinese workers arrived in large numbers despite restrictive immigration laws.

 

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3. Growing Popularity of Second-Class Travel

• Ships like SS Columbia and SS Philadelphia show a trend of passengers choosing second-class accommodations over steerage, reflecting a rising middle class of emigrants with slightly more resources.

 

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4. Intense Competition Among European Steamship Lines

• Germany’s Norddeutscher Lloyd and Hamburg-Amerika Line aggressively competed with Cunard and White Star, as seen in the SS Kaiser Wilhelm II and SS Fürst Bismarck voyages.

 

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5. Strengthening of U.S.-Owned Ocean Liners

• American Line’s SS Philadelphia and SS Haverford reflect the growing U.S. presence in transatlantic travel, with Philadelphia serving as a major landing point.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1903 highlight the dramatic shifts in transatlantic migration and luxury ocean travel.

Key takeaways include:

• The continued immigration boom, with Ellis Island processing over 800,000 people.
• The increasing importance of alternative ports like Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
• The rise of second-class travel as a more comfortable alternative to steerage.
• Germany’s aggressive push into the luxury ocean liner market.
• The expanding influence of American steamship lines in transatlantic travel.

This collection provides a valuable snapshot of ocean travel in 1903, capturing the social, economic, and technological changes shaping global migration and maritime competition at the dawn of the 20th century.

In 1903, several significant world events impacted steamship and ocean liner travel:

• The Wright Brothers' First Powered Flight (December 17, 1903): The successful flight of the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, marked a significant milestone in aviation history. While this event did not immediately impact steamship travel, it laid the foundation for future developments in air travel, eventually becoming a competitor to ocean liners for long-distance transportation.
• Technological Advancements in Steamships: Ongoing advancements in steamship technology continued to improve ocean liners' efficiency, speed, and safety. Innovations in engine design, hull construction, and navigation equipment further enhanced the reliability and comfort of steamship voyages.
• Immigration Waves: Immigration to countries like the United States and Canada remained high, with steamships serving as the primary mode of transportation for millions of immigrants crossing the Atlantic. The influx of immigrants influenced steamship companies' operations and travel routes, particularly those catering to transatlantic voyages.
• Geopolitical Developments: Geopolitical developments, such as territorial disputes, colonial expansions, and international tensions, could impact steamship travel. Changes in political alliances and conflicts in specific regions might have influenced travel routes and passenger safety.
• Economic Expansion and Global Trade: The early 20th century saw continued economic growth and expansion of global trade, driving the demand for efficient transportation of goods and passengers via steamships. This economic prosperity further solidified the importance of steamship travel in international commerce.
• Labor Strikes and Unrest: Labor strikes and unrest among seafaring workers occasionally disrupted steamship operations in different parts of the world. Disputes over working conditions, wages, and union rights could lead to temporary disruptions in ocean liner services.
• Natural Disasters: Natural disasters such as storms, hurricanes, and maritime accidents could disrupt steamship travel by causing delays, damage to vessels, or loss of life. These events underscored the risks associated with ocean travel and the importance of safety measures implemented by steamship companies.

While 1903 didn't see any single event as monumental as the conclusion of the Boer War in the previous year, these ongoing trends and developments continued to shape the landscape of steamship and ocean liner travel, reinforcing their role as crucial modes of global transportation.