Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1953

Norwegian America Line Eastbound Passage Contract dated 14 July 1953 for First Class Passage on the SS Oslofjord from New York to Bergen for $295. The return voyage on the Oslofjord from Kristiansand to New York costs $350.00. In 2022, the relative values of $295.00 from 1953 range from $2,590.00 to $19,500.00. The Real Price of that Commodity is $3,230.00. (Samuel H. Williamson, "Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 to present," MeasuringWorth, 2023.) From the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives Passage Contracts Collection. GGA Image ID # 205c55829c

Passenger lists for 1953 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 1953 Passenger Lists Not Digitized

• 1953-06-06 Maasdam, Holland-America Line, Tourist, New York to Rotterdam via Cobh, Southampton and Le Havre, Captain J. B. van Gaart
• 1953-08-01 Ryndam, Holland-America Line, Tourist, Rotterdam to New York via Le Havre and Southampton, Captain J. P. Boshoff
• 1953-08-21 Liberté, CGT-French Line, Cabin and Tourist, Le Havre to New York via Southampton, Captain Paul Kerharo
• 1953-10-06 United States, United States Lines, Cabin, Southampton to New York via Le Havre, Commodore John W. Anderson, Capt., U.S.N.R.
• 1953-10-06 United States, United States Lines, Tourist, Southampton to New York via Le Havre, Commodore John W. Anderson, Capt., U.S.N.R.

Passenger Lists By Year Continued

«
• 1952
• 1953
• 1954
»

Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1953 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.

Recap & Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1953

The 1953 passenger lists document an era in which ocean liners remained a vital force in global travel, despite the continued rise of commercial aviation. This year saw luxury travel flourish, the expansion of Tourist Class, and migration routes connecting Europe, North America, and South America.

A notable highlight is the Norwegian America Line Passage Contract (July 14, 1953) for First Class travel on the SS Oslofjord, which cost $295 ($3,230 in today’s money). This contract provides an interesting comparison between the value of ocean travel in 1953 versus modern pricing.

 

---

 

Interesting Highlights from the 1953 Passenger Lists

1. The Expansion of Tourist Class

• By 1953, Tourist Class had overtaken First and Cabin Class as the dominant category, making ocean travel more accessible to middle-class passengers.
• Major Tourist Class voyages included:
  • RMS Scythia (March 20, 1953) – Southampton to Halifax.
  • RMS Queen Mary (March 28, 1953) – New York to Southampton.
  • RMS Queen Elizabeth (June 11, 1953) – Southampton to New York.
  • SS Gripsholm (July 17, 1953) – Gothenburg to New York.
• Ships were being reconfigured to accommodate Tourist Class passengers, reflecting a shift in ocean travel demographics.

 

---

 

2. Transatlantic Migration & North Atlantic Routes

• Migration from Europe to North America remained strong, particularly from the UK, Norway, Sweden, and Italy.
• Key migration-related voyages included:
  • SS Stavangerfjord (July 14, 1953) – New York to Oslo, reflecting Norway’s strong transatlantic migration ties.
  • SS Maasdam (July 15, 1953) – Rotterdam to New York, showcasing Holland-America Line’s role in Dutch migration.
  • SS Empress of France (September 15, 1953) – Liverpool to Québec and Montréal, highlighting Canada’s continued role as a migration hub.

 

---

 

3. The Continued Prestige of the Cunard Queens

• Cunard’s flagship liners, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, remained dominant in the luxury travel market.
• Notable voyages included:
  • RMS Queen Mary (July 1, 1953) – Cabin Class from Southampton to New York.
  • RMS Queen Elizabeth (June 11, 1953) – Tourist Class from Southampton to New York.
  • RMS Queen Mary (August 12, 1953) – Tourist Class from New York to Southampton.
• Despite the rise of the SS United States (launched in 1952), Cunard still maintained a loyal passenger base, especially among those who preferred classic ocean travel.

 

---

 

4. Italian and Mediterranean Voyages

• Italy’s passenger liners played a significant role in migration and leisure travel, with ships like SS Constitution and SS Independence serving Mediterranean routes.
• Notable voyages included:
  • SS Constitution (August 21, 1953) – New York to Naples via Gibraltar, Cannes, and Genoa.
  • SS Independence (August 24, 1953) – Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar.
• These routes were popular with Italian migrants, business travelers, and American tourists exploring Europe.

 

---

 

Most Interesting Voyages of 1953

1. SS Stavangerfjord (July 14, 1953) – A Window into Norwegian Migration

• A New York-to-Oslo voyage, stopping in Bergen, Stavanger, and Kristiansand.
• Norway had one of the largest migration waves to the U.S. and Canada, and this route played a vital role in post-war migration patterns.

 

---

 

2. SS Maasdam (July 15, 1953) – Holland-America Line’s Migration Legacy

• This Rotterdam-to-New York voyage continued Holland-America Line’s tradition of serving Dutch migrants.
• With stops in Le Havre, Southampton, and Cobh, it mirrored historic migration routes dating back to the 19th century.

 

---

 

3. SS Independence (August 24, 1953) – A Glamorous Mediterranean Voyage

• This Naples-to-New York voyage via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar catered to a mix of tourists, diplomats, and migrants.
• American Export Lines was known for its luxury service, making this one of the most stylish voyages of the year.

 

---

 

4. SS Empress of France (September 15, 1953) – The Canada Migration Boom

• This Liverpool-to-Québec and Montréal route highlights Canada’s post-war immigration boom.
• By 1953, Canada was actively encouraging British and European migration, and ships like the Empress of France were essential to this movement.

 

---

 

World Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1953

1. The Rise of Air Travel – The Jet Age Was Coming

• Commercial aviation was now a serious threat to ocean liners, with airlines offering faster, more frequent transatlantic crossings.
• The Boeing 707 was being developed, signaling the imminent start of the Jet Age (1958–1959).
• Business travelers began shifting to planes, reducing the demand for First Class ocean liner travel.

 

---

 

2. Migration from Europe to North America & South America

• Post-war migration continued at high levels, with European migrants moving to:
  • Canada (Québec, Montréal, and Halifax as major entry points).
  • The U.S. (New York remained the top immigration hub).
  • Argentina and Brazil (Italy and Spain had strong migration ties to South America).
• Ships like SS Maasdam and SS Constitution played a major role in migration patterns.

 

---

 

3. The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (June 2, 1953)

• The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II boosted British nationalism, leading to a surge in travel to the UK.
• Many passengers booked Cunard voyages like the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth to visit London and Windsor Castle.

 

---

 

4. The End of the Korean War (July 1953) and Its Effect on Maritime Transport

• The Korean War (1950–1953) had disrupted global shipping, with military transport often prioritized.
• With the war ending, more passenger ships were able to return to full civilian service, increasing travel availability.

 

---

 

Conclusion

The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1953 document a vibrant but changing era in ocean travel, as airlines gained ground while ocean liners adapted.

• Tourist Class became dominant, allowing middle-class travelers to cross the Atlantic affordably.
• Migration from Europe to North America remained high, with ships like SS Maasdam and SS Stavangerfjord serving key migration routes.
• The Cunard Queens still held prestige, but SS United States was emerging as the new standard for speed and efficiency.
• Italian and Mediterranean routes were thriving, catering to both migrants and wealthy tourists.
• The decline of ocean liner dominance was becoming inevitable, but the romance of transatlantic crossings still held strong.

This was one of the last golden years of ocean liner travel, as by 1958, commercial jets would make transatlantic crossings by air the new standard.