Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1935

Passenger VIPs are Homeward Bound Including Cinema Star Lilian Harvey on the SS Europa, and Aviatrix (Female Pilot) Elly Beinhorn on the SS New York. The Seven Seas, April 1935. GGA Image ID # 205b4b5110

Passenger lists for 1935 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 1935 Passenger Lists Available at the GG Archives

• CGT-French Line SS Paris, 1935-03-20, Le Havre to New York via Southampton, Commanded by Captain L. de Malglaive
• CGT-French Line SS Ile de France, 1935-08-21, Le Havre to New York via Southampton, Commanded by Captain Jules Chabot
• CGT-French Line SS Champlain, 1935-08-24, Le Havre to New York via Southampton, Commanded by Captain Aolphe Sylvestre

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

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• 1934
• 1935
• 1936
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1935 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1935

The 1935 Ellis Island Passenger Lists reflect a dynamic year in ocean travel, marked by the continued dominance of European luxury liners, the growing influence of American steamship lines, and the introduction of the RMS Normandie, a ship that would redefine transatlantic crossings. The effects of the Great Depression were still evident, with an emphasis on tourist-class travel, while celebrity passengers and aviation pioneers added glamour to ocean travel.

 

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Key Themes in 1935 Ocean Travel

1. The Rise of RMS Normandie: A New Era of Luxury Travel

• The SS Normandie (July 24, 1935) embarked on one of its first voyages from Le Havre to New York.
• Known as the most luxurious ocean liner ever built, it introduced streamlined Art Deco interiors, unparalleled service, and a focus on speed and elegance.
• Though it would not capture the Blue Riband until 1937, it was already seen as the future of transatlantic travel.

Why It Matters: The Normandie set a new standard for ocean travel, competing directly with Germany’s SS Bremen and SS Europa, as well as Cunard’s upcoming RMS Queen Mary.

 

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2. The Continued Popularity of Tourist-Class Travel

• The Great Depression forced liners to shift focus to tourist-class passengers rather than first-class luxury travelers.
• Examples:
  • RMS Samaria (July 27, 1935) – Primarily third-class travel from Liverpool to Boston and New York.
  • SS Europa (July 26, 1935) – A tourist third cabin and third-class voyage from Bremen to New York.
  • RMS Britannic (October 4, 1935) – Another economy-friendly voyage from Southampton to New York.
• The most successful liners in 1935 were those that offered economy-class travel while maintaining comfort and efficiency.

Why It Matters: This major shift in marketing strategies by the biggest shipping companies ensured their survival during the financial hardships of the 1930s.

 

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3. America’s Growing Role in Ocean Travel

• The United States Lines, featuring ships like the SS Manhattan and SS Washington, continued to challenge British and German dominance.
• Notable voyages:
  • SS Manhattan (April 10, 1935) – A major cabin-class crossing from Hamburg to New York.
  • SS Washington (August 15, 1935) – Focused on American tourists traveling abroad.
  • SS President Roosevelt (May 28, 1935) – A key transatlantic voyage under Captain John F. Jensen.

Why It Matters: The U.S. continued its push for dominance in the steamship industry, with government-backed support ensuring American ships remained competitive with European giants.

 

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4. Celebrity Passengers Bring Glamour to Ocean Travel

• VIP passengers were a major highlight in 1935, showcasing the continued importance of ocean liners for high-profile figures.
• Famous travelers included:
  • Film star Lilian Harvey (SS Europa) – One of Germany’s biggest cinema stars.
  • Aviator Elly Beinhorn (SS New York) – A pioneering female pilot, reflecting the rise of aviation in the 1930s.

Why It Matters: These high-profile figures helped maintain the prestige of ocean travel, even as air travel slowly became a competitor.

 

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Most Interesting Voyages of 1935

1. The Maiden Voyages of the SS Normandie (July 24, 1935)

• One of the most significant moments in maritime history as the French liner began its career.
• With its Art Deco design and record-breaking speeds, it was an engineering marvel.
• Though not yet the fastest ship, it was widely regarded as the most luxurious.

Why It Matters: This marked a new era of transatlantic travel, setting the stage for the legendary competition between Normandie and Queen Mary.

 

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2. The Expansion of Transatlantic and Transpacific Routes

• The SS Rex (August 21 & September 13, 1935) operated on Mediterranean-to-New York routes, showing Italy’s growing role in ocean travel.
• The SS President Jackson (September 18 & 22, 1935) continued to strengthen transpacific trade, traveling from Kobe to Seattle via Yokohama.
• The SS Llandaff Castle (September 24, 1935) and SS Kenilworth Castle (October 18, 1935) reflected continued connections between Britain and South Africa.

Why It Matters: These routes highlight the increasing globalization of ocean travel, as transpacific and South Atlantic voyages became more frequent.

 

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3. The End of an Era for RMS Majestic (September 4, 1935)

• Once the largest ship in the world, the RMS Majestic was nearing retirement.
• This tourist-class voyage from Southampton to New York marked one of its last major crossings.
• The ship would be decommissioned in 1936 as part of the Cunard-White Star restructuring.

Why It Matters: The age of the grand pre-WWI liners was coming to an end, making way for modern, streamlined ships like Normandie and Queen Mary.

 

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Key Historical Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1935

1. The Introduction of the Social Security Act in the U.S. (August 14, 1935)

• This landmark legislation affected immigration trends, making permanent transatlantic migration less frequent.
• Many travelers now crossed the Atlantic for leisure or short-term work rather than long-term relocation.

 

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2. Increasing German Influence in Ocean Travel

• The SS Bremen and SS Europa continued to be some of the most efficient liners, dominating tourist-class travel.
• Germany also used these ships for propaganda, showcasing German engineering superiority.

 

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3. The Growing Rivalry Between Ocean Liners and Air Travel

• While ocean liners remained the primary method of long-distance travel, aviation was making strides.
• Pioneers like Elly Beinhorn (SS New York) were helping popularize the idea of transatlantic air travel.
• The first scheduled transatlantic air service would begin just a few years later in 1939.

 

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Conclusion – 1935: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Travel

• The biggest moment of the year was the introduction of the SS Normandie, marking the beginning of the Art Deco luxury era of ocean liners.
• The focus on tourist-class passengers continued, as economic struggles meant fewer luxury travelers.
• American steamship companies solidified their position, ensuring they remained competitive with European giants.
• The age of aviation was beginning to influence transatlantic travel, though ocean liners still dominated.
• 1936 would mark another major milestone with the launch of the RMS Queen Mary, setting up a historic rivalry with the Normandie.

Ocean travel was changing rapidly, and 1935 was one of the last years of the classic "Golden Age" before WWII altered global travel forever.