Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1912

Coaling the RMS Mauretania of the Cunard Line, Preparing Her for Another Transatlantic Voyage. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Summer 1912. GGA Image ID # 2059992b98

Passenger lists for 1912 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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• 1911
• 1912
• 1913
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Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1912 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1912

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1912 document a pivotal year in maritime history, forever defined by the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 14–15, 1912. This year marked the peak of luxury ocean travel, with ships like Titanic, Lusitania, and Mauretania dominating transatlantic routes. It was also a time of mass migration, as thousands of European immigrants continued to arrive in North America seeking better opportunities.

 

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Notable Highlights from the 1912 Passenger Lists

1. RMS Titanic (White Star Line) – 10 April 1912

• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg and Queenstown (Cobh)
• Class of Passengers: First Class (Saloon)
• Commander: Captain Edward J. Smith
• Significance:
  • The most infamous ocean liner in history, Titanic struck an iceberg and sank on April 14–15, 1912.
  • Over 1,500 people perished, leading to major changes in maritime safety laws, including mandatory lifeboats for all passengers.
  • The disaster overshadowed all other maritime events of 1912 and led to an era of stricter regulations in ocean travel.

 

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2. RMS Parisian (Allan Line) – 6 April 1912

• Route: Glasgow to Halifax and Boston via Moville
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain William P. Hains
• Significance:
  • This ship was near Titanic on the night of the disaster but did not respond immediately.
  • The Parisian was only 50 miles away from Titanic, making it a potential rescue vessel if radio communication had been more effective.

 

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3. RMS Lusitania (Cunard Line) – 17 August 1912

• Route: Liverpool to New York via Queenstown (Cobh)
• Class of Passengers: Saloon
• Commander: Captain J. T. W. Charles
• Significance:
  • Titanic’s major rival for luxury travel, Lusitania would become even more famous in 1915 when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat during World War I.
  • In 1912, it was still one of the fastest and most prestigious ships afloat.

 

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4. RMS Mauretania (Cunard Line) – 1912

• Featured in the Cunard Daily Bulletin, summer 1912
• Significance:
  • Holds the Blue Riband as the fastest transatlantic liner.
  • Remained the standard of luxury and speed throughout 1912, competing with Titanic and Lusitania.

 

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5. SS United States (Scandinavian America Line) – 8 February 1912

• Route: Copenhagen to New York
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain R. Gøtsche
• Significance:
  • A major carrier of Scandinavian immigrants arriving in the U.S.
  • Represents the influx of Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian settlers to America.

 

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6. RMS Caronia (Cunard Line) – 30 March 1912 & 2 November 1912

• Route: Liverpool to New York
• Class of Passengers: Second Cabin
• Commander: Captain James Clayton Barr
• Significance:
  • A popular choice for second-cabin passengers, reflecting the growing affordability of ocean travel.
  • Second-cabin accommodations were in high demand following Titanic’s loss, as passengers became more cautious about traveling in third class.

 

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7. SS La Bretagne (French Line) – 22 June 1912

• Route: New York to Le Havre
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain Macé
• Significance:
  • A vessel commonly used for French immigration and business travel.
  • One of many liners affected by stricter safety measures following Titanic’s disaster.

 

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8. SS Laconia (Cunard Line) – Multiple Voyages in 1912

• 28 May, 11 June, 6 August, and 3 September 1912
• Route: Boston to Liverpool and vice versa
• Class of Passengers: Saloon & Second Cabin
• Commander: Captain W. R. D. Irvine
• Significance:
  • Carried a mix of immigrants and wealthy tourists between the U.S. and Britain.
  • Would later become a victim of WWI, sunk in 1917 by a German U-boat.

 

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9. SS George Washington (North German Lloyd) – 1 June, 21 September, & 19 October 1912

• Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain Ch. Polack
• Significance:
  • A popular German liner, later used for diplomatic voyages.
  • Would carry U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to the Treaty of Versailles negotiations in 1919.

 

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10. SS President Lincoln (Hamburg America Line) – 1 November 1912

• Route: Hamburg to New York
• Class of Passengers: First and Second Cabin
• Commander: Captain Witt
• Significance:
  • A large and modern liner, reflecting Germany’s growing presence in transatlantic travel.
  • Would be seized by the U.S. during WWI and converted into a troop transport.

 

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Key Historical Trends in 1912 That Affected Ocean Travel

1. The Titanic Disaster Dominates the Year

• Titanic’s loss on April 14–15, 1912, shocked the world and led to immediate changes in maritime safety laws.
• Stricter lifeboat requirements were introduced, requiring ships to carry enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew.
• Wireless radio regulations were improved, ensuring that all ships maintained 24-hour radio operations.
• The public became more cautious about third-class travel, leading to a rise in second-cabin bookings.

 

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2. Increased Immigration from Southern & Eastern Europe

• Ships like SS Canopic, SS Columbia, and SS Noordam continued bringing large numbers of Italian, Greek, and Eastern European immigrants to America.
• The immigration peak of the early 20th century was still rising, as many sought new lives in the U.S. and Canada.

 

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3. The Growing Importance of Canadian Ports

• Montreal and Quebec were becoming major entry points for European immigrants, as seen in ships like TSS Tunisian, SS Pretorian, and RMS Victorian.
• Canada’s immigration laws were more lenient than the U.S., making it an increasingly popular alternative destination.

 

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4. A Shift in Public Perception of Ocean Travel

• The Titanic disaster reduced confidence in ocean liners, particularly among wealthy travelers.
• Cunard and other major lines emphasized safety in their advertising, reassuring passengers of lifeboat capacity and ship stability.
• New ship designs incorporated safety modifications, including double hulls, bulkheads, and improved wireless technology.

 

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Conclusion – 1912 as a Turning Point in Maritime History

The year 1912 is forever associated with Titanic, marking the end of the “unsinkable” myth and the beginning of modern maritime safety regulations.

Key takeaways:

• Titanic’s sinking changed ship design and regulations forever.
• Immigration to the U.S. and Canada remained strong despite the disaster.
• Luxury liners like Mauretania, Lusitania, and George Washington continued to dominate transatlantic routes.
• Second-cabin travel became more popular, reflecting increased safety concerns.

By the end of 1912, the ocean travel industry was permanently transformed, setting the stage for a new era of regulated, safer transatlantic voyages.