Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1904

Passenger lists for 1904 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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• 1903
• 1904
• 1905
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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1904 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1904 Index Page

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1904 offer a comprehensive look at transatlantic and global ocean travel at the beginning of the 20th century. This collection includes souvenir passenger lists from major steamship companies, detailing voyages between North America, Europe, and beyond. These records provide valuable insights into migration trends, elite ocean travel, and the growing competition between major steamship lines.

In 1904, Ellis Island processed over 1 million immigrants, making it a record-breaking year for U.S. immigration. Many passenger lists in this collection focus on first-class, cabin, and second-class travelers, showing the increasing demand for mid-tier accommodations beyond steerage.

Several voyages in this collection include prominent passengers, such as Henry Morgenthau Sr., Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and John McCreath Farquhar, reflecting the importance of ocean liners in business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.

This year also features a growing number of voyages to Boston and Philadelphia, as well as the presence of Holland-America Line, Red Star Line, and Atlantic Transport Line, highlighting the diversification of transatlantic shipping beyond British and German dominance.

 

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Notable Highlights from 1904 Passenger Lists

1. SS Rotterdam (Holland-America Line) – 2 February & 24 September 1904
   • Route: New York to Rotterdam via Boulogne-sur-Mer
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Cabin
   • Commanders: Captain G. Stenger / Captain A. Hoggeveen
   • Significance: Holland-America Line catered to Dutch, German, and Eastern European emigrants, playing a key role in the mass migration from Europe to America.
2. SS New York (American Line) – 27 February 1904
   • Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain F. M. Passow
   • Significance: American-owned ships were gaining prominence in transatlantic luxury travel, competing with European giants.
3. SS Vaderland (Red Star Line) – 4 June, 13 August, 10 September 1904
   • Route: New York to Antwerp / Antwerp to New York via Dover
   • Passenger Class: First and Second Class / Cabin
   • Commander: Captain R. C. Ehoff
   • Notable Passengers: Henry Morgenthau Sr., Julian Gumperz, Helen Morgenthau, James J. Parmelee
   • Significance: The Red Star Line served the growing Belgian and Central European migration to the U.S., with Antwerp becoming a key departure point for Jewish and Eastern European emigrants.
4. SS La Lorraine (CGT French Line) – 9 June 1904
   • Route: New York to Le Havre
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain Alix
   • Significance: French luxury liners remained a major competitor for wealthy transatlantic travelers, providing prestigious service between the U.S. and France.
5. RMS Etruria (Cunard Line) – 11 June 1904
   • Route: Liverpool to New York and Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: Second Cabin
   • Commander: Captain R. C. Warr
   • Significance: The presence of second-class accommodations reflects the increasing preference for mid-range ocean travel.
6. SS Minnetonka (Atlantic Transport Line) – 18 June 1904
   • Route: London to New York
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain Sydney Layland
   • Significance: The Atlantic Transport Line was a crucial carrier of wealthy business travelers and elite passengers, competing with Cunard and White Star.
7. SS Cretic (White Star Line) – 14 July 1904
   • Route: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain John James
   • Significance: Boston’s increasing role as a major immigration hub is evident in this voyage.
8. RMS Celtic (White Star Line) – 19 August 1904
   • Route: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
   • Passenger Class: First Class
   • Commander: Captain J. B. Ranson
   • Significance: One of the largest and most luxurious ships of its time, the Celtic was part of White Star Line’s push to dominate first-class travel.
9. SS Carpathia (Cunard Line) – 4 October 1904
   • Route: New York to Liverpool
   • Passenger Class: Cabin
   • Commander: Captain W. T. Turner
   • Significance: Famous for later rescuing Titanic survivors in 1912, Carpathia was a crucial vessel for emigrants and mid-tier travelers in the early 1900s.
10. RMS Saxonia (Cunard Line) – 25 October 1904

• Route: Liverpool to Boston
• Passenger Class: Saloon
• Commander: Captain Thomas Potter
• Notable Passengers: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (renowned composer) and John McCreath Farquhar (U.S. Congressman)
• Significance: High-profile passengers demonstrate the role of ocean liners in cultural and political exchange.

11. SS St. Paul (American Line) – 10 December 1904

• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
• Passenger Class: Second Class
• Commander: Captain F. M. Passow
• Significance: The growing second-class market reflects the increasing demand for comfortable, affordable transatlantic travel.

 

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Historical Context – Events Impacting Ocean Travel in 1904

 

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1. Record-Breaking Immigration to Ellis Island

• Over 1 million immigrants arrived at Ellis Island in 1904, with Italians, Russians, and Austro-Hungarians making up the largest groups.
• The rise in second-class travel (SS Furnessia, SS Etruria, SS St. Paul) suggests a shift from steerage to mid-tier accommodations.

 

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2. The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) and Its Impact on Shipping

• The war disrupted trade routes between Europe and Asia, causing delays for transpacific steamship travel and increasing migration from Russia and Eastern Europe to America.

 

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3. Expansion of the American Steamship Industry

• American-owned lines like American Line and Atlantic Transport Line expanded their fleets, with SS Minneapolis, SS New York, and SS St. Paul catering to both first-class and second-class passengers.

 

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4. The Shift Toward Boston and Philadelphia as Major Ports

• Many voyages in this collection were bound for Boston and Philadelphia, highlighting the shift away from New York as the sole immigration hub.

 

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5. The Rising Popularity of Second-Class Travel

• More ships offered second-class accommodations as an alternative to steerage, catering to a growing middle-class migrant population.

 

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Final Thoughts

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1904 capture a pivotal year in transatlantic travel, reflecting record immigration levels, the rise of second-class travel, and increasing competition among luxury liners.

Key takeaways include:

• The highest immigration numbers in Ellis Island history, with over 1 million arrivals.
• Boston and Philadelphia emerging as alternative immigration ports.
• The growth of second-class travel as a comfortable alternative to steerage.
• The influence of American steamship lines in competing with British and German companies.
• The impact of the Russo-Japanese War on European migration and global shipping.

This collection provides a valuable historical snapshot of ocean travel in 1904, illustrating the economic, political, and social forces shaping transatlantic migration and luxury travel in the early 20th century.

In 1904, several significant world events impacted steamship and ocean liner travel:

• Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): The Russo-Japanese War, fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan, had significant implications for steamship travel in the region. Steamships played crucial roles in transporting troops, supplies, and diplomats and in providing humanitarian aid. Additionally, naval battles between the two powers impacted the region's maritime routes and vessel safety.
• Technological Advancements in Steamships: Ongoing advancements in steamship technology continued to enhance ocean liners' efficiency, speed, and safety. Innovations in engine design, hull construction, and navigation equipment further improved 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 continued influx of immigrants influenced steamship companies' operations and travel routes, particularly those catering to transatlantic voyages.
• Geopolitical Developments: Various 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: Economic growth and expansion of global trade continued to drive 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.

These events collectively shaped the landscape of steamship and ocean liner travel in 1904, influencing travel patterns, technological advancements, and the overall experience of passengers and crew members.