Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1923

Passenger lists for 1923 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.

Other 1923 Passenger Lists (Not Digitized)

• CGT-French Line, SS Paris, 1923-09-01, Le Havre to New York via Plymouth, Commanded by Captain E. Maurras

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

«
• 1922
• 1923
• 1924
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1923 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1923

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1923 reflect the continuing transformation of ocean liner travel, as immigration restrictions remained in place and steamship companies focused on business, tourism, and upper-class travel. The Quota Act of 1921 and the upcoming Immigration Act of 1924 further reduced mass migration to the United States, compelling shipping companies to adapt their strategies.

This was also a golden era for luxury liners, with ships like the RMS Berengaria, RMS Aquitania, and SS President Harding offering elite accommodations and enhanced comfort for wealthier passengers.

Meanwhile, the German and American shipping industries reasserted themselves, and Canada gained importance as an alternative immigration route, as seen in the frequent Liverpool-to-Montréal sailings.

Notable Passenger Ships from 1923

1. RMS Berengaria (Cunard Line) – Multiple Voyages

• Routes: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg (May 5, August 25, September 15, December 12)
• Class of Passengers: Saloon, Second Class, and Second Cabin
• Commander: Captain W. R. D. Irvine, R.D., R.N.R.
• Significance:
  • Originally a German ship seized as a war prize, the Berengaria was Cunard's flagship in the 1920s.
  • It symbolized the shift from German to British dominance in transatlantic shipping following World War I.

2. RMS Aquitania (Cunard Line) – 3 November 1923

• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
• Class of Passengers: Second Class
• Commander: Captain Sir James Charles, K.B.E., C.B., R.D., R.N.R.
• Significance:
  • Nicknamed the "Ship Beautiful," the Aquitania was one of the longest-serving transatlantic liners, operating until 1950.
  • It was a direct competitor to White Star’s Olympic and offered high-end services for business travelers and tourists.

3. SS President Harding (United States Lines) – 6 January 1923

• Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
• Class of Passengers: First Cabin
• Commander: Captain P. C. Grening, U.S.N.R.
• Significance:
  • The President Harding was part of the emerging United States Lines, which sought to challenge European dominance in transatlantic travel.
  • It attracted American business travelers and diplomats, marking a shift in U.S. maritime ambitions.

4. RMS Homeric (White Star Line) – 5 September 1923

• Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
• Class of Passengers: Second Class
• Commander: Captain F. B. Howarth (Cmdr., R.N.R.)
• Significance:
  • Originally built for Germany but handed over to Britain as war reparations, the Homeric was one of White Star Line's premier post-war vessels.
  • It provided an elegant travel experience, often compared to the RMS Olympic.

5. SS Resolute (United American Lines) – 24 July 1923

• Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
• Class of Passengers: First and Second Class
• Commander: Commodore D. Malman
• Significance:
  • United American Lines (Harriman Line) was an attempt to establish a strong American presence in transatlantic shipping.
  • The Resolute was a modern, well-equipped liner that catered to both elite and middle-class passengers.

6. RMS Samaria (Cunard Line) – Multiple Voyages

• Routes: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (July 26, August 23, October 22)
• Class of Passengers: Second Class
• Commander: Captain G. S. Horsburgh, O.B.E., R.D., R.N.R.
• Significance:
  • The Samaria was a newer Cunard liner, built to cater to middle-class passengers on transatlantic routes.
  • It highlighted the shift from immigrant transport to comfortable cabin-class travel.

7. RMSP SS Orca (Royal Mail Steam Packet Co.) – 19 December 1923

• Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
• Class of Passengers: Cabin
• Commander: Captain E. Clarke
• Significance:
  • The Orca was part of Britain’s vast Royal Mail fleet, which played a vital role in global maritime trade.
  • This route reflected the increasing importance of Hamburg as a postwar German shipping hub.

Key Historical Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1923

1. The Quota System and Decline of Mass Immigration

• The U.S. continued enforcing strict immigration limits from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• Fewer third-class passengers were arriving, leading to a focus on cabin-class travel.
• Canada became a key alternative, as seen in Liverpool-to-Montréal routes operated by Canadian Pacific.

2. The Expansion of American-Owned Shipping

• United States Lines grew rapidly, adding ships like SS President Harding and SS President Garfield.
• The U.S. wanted to compete with Britain, Germany, and France in ocean travel.
• Government subsidies helped U.S. steamship companies grow their fleets.

3. The Slow Revival of German Shipping

• The Norddeutscher Lloyd (North German Lloyd) and Hamburg-Amerika Line began recovering after losing most of their ships in WWI reparations.
• Ships like the SS Bremen and SS Resolute were among Germany’s first serious attempts to reenter the transatlantic market.
• The German shipping industry still lagged behind British and American competitors.

4. The Continued Popularity of Luxury Ocean Liners

• With immigration in decline, first-class travel flourished.
• The Berengaria, Aquitania, and Olympic catered to business magnates, celebrities, and wealthy travelers.
• Cabin class replaced third-class steerage, reflecting a new era of comfort-based ocean travel.

5. The Strength of Canadian and British Shipping

• Canadian Pacific expanded routes to Québec and Montréal, offering an alternative to U.S. immigration restrictions.
• Cunard and White Star continued dominating the Atlantic with ships like RMS Samaria, RMS Berengaria, and RMS Adriatic.

Conclusion – 1923: A Year of Adaptation and Expansion

• 1923 marked a key transition from immigration-driven voyages to a focus on tourism, business travel, and transatlantic luxury.
• The U.S. aggressively expanded its shipping industry, challenging European dominance with United States Lines.
• Germany re-entered ocean travel but remained behind British and American competitors.
• Canada gained importance in the transatlantic market, particularly for immigrants and business travelers.
• Luxury liners became the centerpiece of ocean travel, with fewer third-class passengers and more emphasis on middle- and upper-class accommodations.

The world of ocean liners in 1923 was no longer about mass migration but about prestige, comfort, and competition.