Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1911

The "Senators' Corner" on the SS Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1911. From Left to Right—U. S. Senator Nixon, of Nevada. U. S. Senator Guggenheim, of Colorado, former U. S. Senator Beveridge of Indiana, Hon. Richard Barthold, Member of Congress from Missouri. North German Lloyd Bulletin, December 1911. GGA Image ID # 20594dfb38

Passenger lists for 1911 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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• 1910
• 1911
• 1912
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1911 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1911

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1911 offer a valuable glimpse into global transatlantic migration, luxury travel, and increasing maritime competition as the world neared the Titanic era. This year was particularly significant in the history of ocean travel, as it was the final full year before the Titanic disaster in April 1912.

This index includes ships from major shipping lines such as Cunard, White Star, Hamburg-Amerika, Norddeutscher Lloyd, Red Star, and Allan Line, covering routes between North America, Europe, Africa, and South America. A notable trend in 1911 was the increasing prominence of second-cabin travel, reflecting a growing middle class able to afford transatlantic crossings in comfort.

 

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Notable Highlights from the 1911 Passenger Lists

1. SS Kaiser Wilhelm II – “Senators’ Corner” (North German Lloyd)

• A notable gathering of U.S. Senators and Congressmen aboard SS Kaiser Wilhelm II was documented in 1911, demonstrating the importance of ocean liners in global diplomacy and politics.
• The ship was one of the fastest and most luxurious of its time, competing with Cunard’s Mauretania and Lusitania.
• Would be seized by the U.S. during WWI and renamed USS Agamemnon.

 

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2. RMS Mauretania (Cunard Line) – 14 June 1911

• Route: New York to Liverpool via Queenstown (Cobh)
• Class of Passengers: Saloon
• Commander: Captain W. T. Turner, RNR (who would later command Lusitania in 1915)
• Significance:
  • The world’s fastest ocean liner at the time, holding the Blue Riband speed record.
  • Titanic’s main competitor in luxury and speed.

 

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3. SS George Washington (North German Lloyd) – 20 May 1911

• Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
• Class of Passengers: First and Second Cabin
• Commander: Captain Ch. Polack
• Significance:
  • A high-profile luxury liner carrying many diplomats, politicians, and prominent figures.
  • Later used as Woodrow Wilson’s ship during the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.

 

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4. RMS Franconia (Cunard Line) – 8 August 1911

• Route: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
• Class of Passengers: Saloon
• Commander: Captain C. A. Smith, RD, RNR
• Significance:
  • One of Cunard’s most important immigrant ships, bringing thousands of Europeans to the U.S.
  • Sunk in 1916 during WWI.

 

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5. RMS Walmer Castle (Union-Castle Line) – 15 July 1911

• Route: Southampton to Capetown via Madeira, Algoa Bay, East London, and Natal
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain F. Whitehead, RNR
• Significance:
  • Demonstrates the importance of British maritime trade and colonial routes.
  • Provided connections between Europe and South Africa, carrying settlers, businessmen, and officials.

 

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6. SS Canopic (White Star Line) – 23 July 1911

• Route: Genoa and Naples to Boston via the Azores
• Class of Passengers: First Class
• Commander: Captain J. O. Carter
• Significance:
  • Part of White Star Line’s Mediterranean service, which was crucial for Italian and Greek migration to the U.S.
  • White Star would later reassign crew from its Mediterranean service to Titanic in 1912.

 

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7. RMS Vaderland (Red Star Line) – 16 September 1911

• Route: Antwerp to New York via Dover
• Class of Passengers: First Class
• Commander: Captain R. Prager
• Significance:
  • A key ship in Belgian and Dutch migration to America.
  • Would be refitted as a troop transport during WWI.

 

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8. TSS Tunisian (Allan Line) – 22 September 1911

• Route: Liverpool to Québec and Montréal
• Class of Passengers: First Class
• Commander: Captain J. A. Fairfull
• Significance:
  • Demonstrates Canada’s increasing role in migration.
  • Allan Line would later be absorbed into the Canadian Pacific Line.

 

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Historical Context – Major Trends and Events of 1911 That Affected Ocean Travel

1. The Year Before Titanic

• Titanic was under construction, set for completion in 1912.
• White Star and Cunard Lines fiercely competed for dominance in luxury travel.
• The last full year of pre-Titanic confidence in ocean travel, with no major disasters yet to shake public trust.

 

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2. Increase in Second-Cabin Travel & Middle-Class Voyages

• Many ships in this index (e.g., SS Caronia, SS Ryndam, SS Tunisian) offered second-cabin accommodations, reflecting the growing affordability of transatlantic travel.
• The middle-class demand for more comfortable travel fueled the rise of larger and more luxurious ocean liners.

 

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3. Expansion of Immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe

• Italy, Greece, and Eastern Europe continued to send large waves of immigrants to the U.S. and Canada.
• SS Canopic, SS Ryndam, and SS Tunisian served this growing demand.

 

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4. Growing Canadian Immigration Routes

• Allan Line and Canadian Pacific ships to Québec and Montréal saw increased traffic.
• Canada was becoming a preferred destination for European migrants, especially British, Scottish, and Eastern European families.

 

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5. Expansion of Colonial and South American Routes

• SS Walmer Castle’s route to South Africa and SS Koning Wilhelm II’s route to Brazil and Argentina highlight the expansion of British and German maritime interests.

 

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Final Thoughts – The Last Peaceful Year Before Titanic and World War I

1911 was a turning point in ocean travel, setting the stage for the Titanic era and the coming changes brought by World War I.

Key takeaways:

• The last year of full confidence in transatlantic travel before Titanic.
• Mass migration to North America continued to peak.
• Cunard, White Star, and German lines dominated the industry, competing fiercely.
• Canada emerged as a major immigration destination.
• Luxury ocean travel continued to expand, offering new levels of comfort.

By the end of 1911, Titanic was nearing completion, Mauretania ruled the seas, and second-cabin travel was booming. However, everything would change in 1912 with the Titanic disaster, reshaping maritime regulations, safety standards, and public trust in ocean liners forever.