Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1932

Jil Esmond, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Joan Crawford, and Sir Laurence Olivier on the SS Bremen, 1932. Photo by Fleischhut. The Seven Seas, August 1932. GGA Image ID # 205b014e7f

Passenger lists for 1932 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.

🛳️ SS Leviathan Passenger List – 9 September 1932: Transatlantic Travel During the Great Depression

Steamship Line: United States Lines

Class of Passengers: Tourist Cabin

Date of Departure: 9 September 1932

Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg

Commander: Commodore Albert B. Randall, U.S.N.R

Step aboard the SS Leviathan in 1932—a majestic ocean liner operated by United States Lines, steaming from Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg at the height of the Great Depression. This rich Tourist Cabin Passenger List dated 9 September 1932, offers more than names—it’s a dynamic tapestry of global lives in motion, threading through academic, religious, artistic, and everyday histories.

Other 1932 Passenger Lists Available at the GG Archives

• CGT-French Line SS Lafayette, 1932-08-20, Le Havre to New York via Plymouth, Commanded by Captain Jules Chabot

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

«
• 1931
• 1932
• 1933
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1932 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1932

The 1932 Ellis Island Passenger Lists reflect a year of continued economic challenges, as the Great Depression deepened and heavily impacted transatlantic travel. While ocean liners remained the primary method of long-distance travel, the effects of the economic downturn shifted passenger demographics, with an emphasis on tourist-class and economy accommodations.

Notably, celebrity travel became a focal point of the industry, with actors Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Laurence Olivier aboard the SS Bremen, showcasing the continued allure of ocean liners despite the hardships of the era. Cruises also gained traction, with ships offering voyages beyond standard transatlantic crossings.

 

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Key Themes in 1932 Ocean Travel

1. The Continued Effects of the Great Depression

• The economic crisis led to fewer first-class passengers, forcing steamship lines to market economy and tourist-class accommodations more aggressively.
• Ships began consolidating class divisions, offering “one-class” or combined cabin/tourist-class accommodations (e.g., SS City of Hamburg, SS Ausonia, and RMS Carinthia).
• Some luxury liners were forced to reduce amenities and services to cut costs while maintaining operations.

Why It Matters: The ongoing financial crisis reshaped the steamship industry, favoring more affordable travel options over opulence.

 

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2. The Rise of Celebrity and Prestige Travel

• Hollywood stars traveling on the SS Bremen (Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Laurence Olivier) brought glamour to ocean liners despite economic downturns.
• The RMS Mauretania (April 6, 1932) continued to be a premier ship for luxury travelers, catering to those who could still afford first-class accommodations.

Why It Matters: Even in a struggling economy, steamship companies marketed prestige travel, using famous figures to maintain the allure of ocean voyages.

 

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3. The Growth of Non-Transatlantic Routes and Cruising

• The SS Exeter (June 28, 1932) pioneered a diverse route, sailing from New York to Alexandria via Gibraltar, Marseilles, Jaffa, Haifa, Beirut, and Naples.
• The SS Resolute (July 16, 1932) operated an Arctic and Northern Europe cruise, stopping at Scotland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, and Norway.
• The RMS Berengaria (September 2, 1932) ran a cruise from New York to Halifax, appealing to North American vacationers.
• The SS Empress of Canada (October 22, 1932) provided an extensive transpacific voyage from Vancouver to Manila via Honolulu, Yokohama, Kobe, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Why It Matters: With transatlantic passenger numbers declining, steamship companies sought new markets, focusing on global cruising and alternative routes.

 

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4. The Growing Role of Tourist and Economy Travel

• The SS Bremen (July 1, 1932) and SS Europa (September 1, 1932) expanded their tourist third-class capacity, reflecting the era’s financial constraints.
• The RMS Carinthia (August 26, 1932) catered almost exclusively to tourist-class passengers.
• The SS Leviathan (September 9, 1932) focused on “Tourist Cabin” accommodations, a term increasingly used for mid-range travelers.

Why It Matters: The shift toward affordable travel options showed the steamship industry’s ability to adapt, ensuring steady passenger numbers despite the depression.

 

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Most Interesting Voyages of 1932

1. Celebrity Travel on the SS Bremen (August 1932)

• A rare moment of glamour in an economically strained industry.
• Hosted Hollywood icons Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Laurence Olivier.
• The Bremen remained Germany’s most prestigious liner, competing with British and American rivals.

 

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2. SS Exeter – A Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Route (June 28, 1932)

• A unique journey from New York to Alexandria via Marseilles, Haifa, and Beirut.
• Showcased growing connections between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
• Catered to business travelers, diplomats, and European settlers in the Middle East.

 

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3. SS Resolute – An Arctic & Nordic Cruise (July 16, 1932)

• One of the more adventurous cruises of the year.
• Stops included Scotland, Iceland, Spitzbergen (Arctic), and Norway.
• Appealed to wealthy travelers and scientific explorers.

 

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4. SS Empress of Canada – Transpacific Travel (October 22, 1932)

• Connected North America to Asia, stopping in major trade and cultural centers.
• An essential route for business, diplomacy, and migration between continents.

 

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Key Historical Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1932

1. Economic Depression Forces Industry Changes

• Steamship lines reduced first-class space and expanded tourist-class accommodations.
• Some ships merged multiple classes into “one-class” service to maintain financial stability.

 

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2. The Expansion of International Cruising

• Cruise travel grew significantly, with ships venturing beyond traditional transatlantic routes.
• More North American travelers explored the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Arctic.

 

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3. The Continued Prestige of European Liners

• Germany’s SS Bremen and SS Europa remained competitive against British and American ships.
• The White Star Line and Cunard Line continued their dominance in the transatlantic market.

 

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Conclusion – 1932: A Year of Transition

• The Great Depression reshaped ocean travel, forcing steamship companies to focus on economical tourist-class accommodations over luxury.
• Celebrity travel helped maintain the allure of transatlantic crossings, despite economic challenges.
• Cruise travel and alternative global routes became more common, allowing steamship companies to diversify their revenue streams.
• European liners maintained a competitive edge, particularly Germany’s Bremen-class ships and Britain’s Cunard and White Star liners.

By 1933, these trends would become even more pronounced, as steamship companies struggled to remain profitable in an increasingly difficult economic environment.