Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1948

Passenger lists for 1948 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 1948 Passenger Lists Available at the GG Archives

• United States Lines | Washington | Cabin | 1948-03-27 | Le Havre to New York via Southampton and Cobh | Captain John W. Anderson, Capt., U.S.N.R.
• United States Lines | Washington | Cabin | 1948-05-07 | Le Havre to New York via Southampton and Cobh | Captain Harold Milde, Lt. Cmdr., U.S.N.R.
• CGT-French Line | De Grasse | First Class | 1948-09-01 | Le Havre to New York via Southampton | Captain Joseph Cailloce

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

«
• 1947
• 1948
• 1949
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1948 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap & Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1948

The 1948 passenger lists reflect the post-war revival of ocean travel, as transatlantic voyages became more frequent, luxurious, and accessible. The world’s largest and most prestigious ocean liners, such as the RMS Queen Elizabeth, RMS Queen Mary, SS America, and RMS Mauretania, dominated the routes between Europe and North America, while Holland-America, Orient Line, and CGT-French Line contributed to global routes.

Migration, tourism, and business travel surged in 1948, as more displaced people sought new homes, post-war economies strengthened, and international travel resumed. The year also marked a shift in the class structure on ocean liners, with the growing popularity of Tourist Class, making luxury ocean travel more affordable.

These souvenir passenger lists serve as valuable historical artifacts, documenting who traveled, how they traveled, and why.

 

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Interesting Highlights from the 1948 Passenger Lists

1. The Growing Competition Between Cunard and United States Lines

• SS America (January 21 & February 20, 1948) – United States Lines
  • U.S. passenger ships challenged British dominance in transatlantic travel.
  • Commanded by Captain Harry Manning, a former navigator of Amelia Earhart.
• RMS Queen Elizabeth & RMS Queen Mary (Multiple Voyages) – Cunard Line
  • These two legendary Cunard liners dominated transatlantic travel, carrying thousands of passengers between New York and Southampton.
  • RMS Queen Elizabeth (October 31, 1948) made a rare Halloween departure, adding to its mystique.

 

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2. The Expansion of Global Passenger Routes

• RMS Orion (February 7, 1948) – Orient Line
  • One of the major post-war migrant ships, sailing from Sydney to Southampton.
  • Transported British citizens returning from Australia as well as new emigrants heading to the UK.
• TSS Nieuw Amsterdam (December 11, 1948) – Holland-America Line
  • A major transatlantic crossing from Rotterdam to New York via Le Havre and Southampton.
  • The ship carried a mix of First, Cabin, and Tourist Class passengers, reflecting the democratization of ocean travel.
• TSS Veendam (July 23, 1948) – Holland-America Line
  • Another Rotterdam to New York voyage, demonstrating the Netherlands' continued role in transatlantic travel.

 

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3. The Rising Popularity of Tourist Class

• Tourist Class emerged as the most popular category, offering an affordable alternative to First Class.
• Ships like RMS Queen Elizabeth (June 24, 1948) and RMS Queen Mary (July 2, 1948) increasingly catered to middle-class travelers.
• The Mauretania, Queen Elizabeth, and Nieuw Amsterdam all operated Tourist Class voyages, showing the shift in passenger demographics.

 

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Most Interesting Voyages of 1948

1. RMS Queen Elizabeth (October 31, 1948) – The Halloween Voyage

• One of the most iconic ocean liners made a Halloween voyage from Southampton to New York.
• The Queen Elizabeth was known for her grandeur and speed, making this a particularly memorable crossing.

 

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2. SS America (January 21 & February 20, 1948) – America’s Challenge to Cunard

• The SS America, one of the finest American liners, made multiple crossings, proving that U.S. passenger ships could compete with British Cunard giants.
• Captain Harry Manning was a famous navigator, adding prestige to the voyages.

 

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3. RMS Orion (February 7, 1948) – A Post-War Migration Voyage

• This Sydney-to-Southampton route was critical for post-war migration, bringing passengers between Australia and Britain.
• Stops at Melbourne, Fremantle, Colombo, Aden, and Port Said reflect the British Empire’s key travel network.

4. RMS Mauretania (September 7 & 28, 1948) – The Lesser-Known Cunard Ship

• The Mauretania was often overshadowed by the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, but it played a vital role in transatlantic crossings.
• It offered both First and Cabin Class options, appealing to a broad passenger base.

 

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World Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1948

1. The Post-War Migration Boom

• Displaced persons from WWII continued to seek new homes, with many heading to the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
• Ocean liners remained the primary mode of mass migration, as air travel was still too expensive.

 

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2. The Expansion of Tourist Class

• More people could afford ocean travel, leading to the expansion of Tourist Class.
• Ships like the Queen Elizabeth, Mauretania, and Nieuw Amsterdam all saw an increase in Tourist Class bookings.

 

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3. The Rising Power of American Passenger Liners

• United States Lines aggressively competed with Cunard, especially with SS America.
• This would eventually lead to the launch of SS United States in 1952, which would set a new speed record for transatlantic crossings.

 

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4. The Increasing Role of Australia in Ocean Travel

• The Orion’s voyage from Sydney to Southampton showed the continued movement of people within the British Commonwealth.
• Britain’s "Ten Pound Pom" migration scheme encouraged people to move to Australia, making ships like RMS Orion crucial to this process.

 

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Conclusion

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1948 document a key year in ocean travel, as transatlantic voyages reached new heights and global migration surged.

• Cunard maintained its dominance, but United States Lines challenged with SS America.
• Tourist Class became the preferred choice for middle-class travelers, increasing accessibility.
• Global migration routes, particularly between Australia and Europe, remained critical, with ships like RMS Orion transporting thousands of people.

This period set the stage for the "Golden Age" of transatlantic liners in the 1950s, as ocean travel expanded in both luxury and affordability.