Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1954
A Collection of 1954 Ephemera from the SS Ryndam of the Holland-America Line, Including Passenger List, Menus, Luggage Tags, Correspondence, Ticket Holders, and Brochures. GGA Image ID # 205c94f17d
Passenger lists for 1954 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.
Note: Norwegian Merchant Seaman Arne Peterssen was the last immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island on 29 November 1954.
1954-05-27 RMS Mauretania Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 27 May 1954
Route: New York to Southampton Via Cobh and Le Havre
Commander: Captain A. D. Fasting, R.D., R.N.R.
1954-07-01 RMS Queen Mary Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 1 July 1954
Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
Commander: Captain D. W. Sorrell
1954-07-03 SS Independence Passenger List
Steamship Line: American Export Lines
Class of Passengers: Tourist
Date of Departure: 3 July 1954
Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
Commander: Captain Hugh L. Switzer
1954-07-07 RMS Queen Mary Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 7 July 1954
Route: New York to Southampton via Cherbourg
Commander: Captain D. W. Sorrell
1954-07-15 RMS Mauretania Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 15 July 1954
Route: Southampton to New York Via Le Havre and Cobh
Commander: Captain R. G. Thelwell, O.B.E., R.D., (Cmdr. R.N.R., Rtd.)
1954-07-17 SS Atlantic Passenger List
Steamship Line: Home Lines
Class of Passengers: Tourist
Date of Departure: 17 July 1954
Route: Quebec to Southampton via Le Havre
Commander: Captain Giovanni Ruffini
1954-07-20 SS Flandre Passenger List
Steamship Line: CGT French Line
Class of Passengers: First and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 20 July 1954
Route: Le Havre to New York via Southampton
Commander: Captain Pierre CHUPIN
1954-07-28 RMS Queen Mary Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 28 July 1954
Route: New York to Southampton via Cherbourg
Commander: Captain D. W. Sorrell
Notable Passengers: Miss Jean Kennedy, Prof. A. R. Rogowski, Rev. Dr. Harold N. Smith, Col. M. Boisen, Rev. Frank Shalloe, S.J., Prof. Max Von Der Porten, Miss Winifred Amos, and Miss Mary E. Bitzer.
1954-08-07 RMS Media Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: First Class
Date of Departure: 7 August 1954
Route: Liverpool to New York
Commander: Captain F. G. Watts, R.D., R.N.R.
1954-08-14 SS Independence Passenger List
Steamship Line: American Export Lines
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 14 August 1954
Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
Commander: Captain Ernest H. Nelson
1954-08-24 RMS Strathmore Passenger List
Steamship Line: Peninsular & Oriental Line (P&O)
Class of Passengers: First Class
Date of Departure: 24 August 1954
Route: London to Sydney via Port Said, Bombay (Mumbai), Colombo, Fremantle, Adelaide, and Melbourne
Commander: Captain A. G. Jenkins
1954-08-26 RMS Queen Elizabeth Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 26 August 1954
Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
Commander: Captain R. G. Thelwell, O.B.E., R.D. (Cmdr. R.N.R., Rtd.)
1954-08-31 M.V. Sibajak Passenger List
Steamship Line: Holland-America Line / Netherlands American Steam Navigation Company (NASM)
Class of Passengers: Not Stated
Date of Departure: 31 August 1954
Route: Rotterdam on to New York via Le Havre
Commander: Captain H. Rijnbergen
Note: Includes a list of crew members and rank
1954-09-21 SS Liberté Passenger List
Steamship Line: CGT French Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 21 September 1954
Route: Le Havre to New York via Southampton
Commander: Commanded by Captain Paul Kerharo
1954-09-29 SS Stavangerfjord Passenger List
Steamship Line: Norwegian-America Line
Class of Passengers: First, Cabin, and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 29 September 1954
Route: Oslo to New York via Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Bergen
Commander: Captain Olaf Bjørnstad
1954-10-08 TSS Nieuw Amsterdam Passenger List
Steamship Line: Holland-America Line / Netherlands American Steam Navigation Company (NASM)
Class of Passengers: First Class, Cabin, and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 8 October 1954
Route: Rotterdam to New York via Le Havre and Southampton
Commander: Captain C. VISSER
1954-10-08 RMS Orion Passenger List
Steamship Line: Orient Line
Class of Passengers: Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 8 October 1954
Route: Vancouver BC to Sydney via San Francisco, Honolulu, Suva (Fiji), and Auckland
Commander: Captain A. E. Coles, R.D., R.N.R.
1954-11-05 SS Constitution Passenger List
Steamship Line: American Export Lines
Class of Passengers: First Class
Date of Departure: 5 November 1954
Route: New York to Naples via Cannes and Genoa
Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
1954-11-09 SS Independence Passenger List
Steamship Line: American Export Lines
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 9 November 1954
Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
Commander: Captain Hugh L. Switzer
1954-12-07 SS Constitution Passenger List
Steamship Line: American Export Lines
Class of Passengers: First Class
Date of Departure: 7 December 1954
Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
1954-12-09 R.M.M.V. Winchester Castle Passenger List
Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 9 December 1954
Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and East London
Commander: Captain G. W. B. Lloyd
1954-12-23 RMS Queen Elizabeth Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Tourist
Date of Departure: 23 December 1954
Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
Commander: Commodore C. I. Thompson
Other 1954 Passenger Lists Not Digitized
- Holland-America Line; Ryndam; Tourist; 1954-04-18; Rotterdam to New York via Le Havre, Southampton and Halifax NS; Captain H. Oldenburger
- CGT-French Line; Liberté; Premiére; 1954-05-07; Le Havre to New York via Southampton; Captain Paul Kerharo
- CGT-French Line; Ile de France; Premiére; 1954-07-06; Le Havre to New York via Southampton; Captain Paul Kerharo
- United States Lines; United States; First Class; 1954-07-30; Southampton to New York via Le Havre; Commodore John W. Anderson, Capt., U.S.N.R.
- United States Lines; America; First Class; 1954-09-06; Bremerhaven to New York via Le Havre, Southampton, and Cobh; Captain Leroy J. Alexanderson, Capt., U.S.N.R.
Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1954 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.
Recap & Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1954
The 1954 passenger lists mark the final full year of Ellis Island’s operation as an immigration station, making this an especially significant year for transatlantic travel and migration history. The last immigrant, Norwegian merchant seaman Arne Peterssen, was processed at Ellis Island on November 29, 1954, bringing an end to an era of mass migration through the station.
This year also witnessed the continued shift in ocean liner travel, as Tourist Class gained dominance, migration flows evolved, and the rise of air travel continued to reshape the industry.
Interesting Highlights from the 1954 Passenger Lists
1. The Final Chapter of Ellis Island’s Immigration Era
- November 29, 1954: Norwegian Merchant Seaman Arne Peterssen was the last immigrant processed at Ellis Island before its closure as a U.S. immigration station.
- This milestone marked the end of over 60 years of mass migration through Ellis Island, as immigration policies had begun shifting toward consulate-based processing abroad.
- By the mid-1950s, more immigrants arrived via air travel than by sea, further reducing Ellis Island’s role.
2. The Growth of Tourist Class & the Changing Demographics of Ocean Travel
- Tourist Class expanded significantly, becoming the preferred category for budget-conscious travelers.
- Examples of major Tourist Class voyages in 1954:
- SS Independence (July 3, 1954) – Naples to New York.
- SS Atlantic (July 17, 1954) – Quebec to Southampton.
- SS Orion (October 8, 1954) – Vancouver to Sydney.
- Ships like RMS Queen Mary, RMS Queen Elizabeth, and SS Liberté saw large Tourist Class bookings, reflecting a broader shift in passenger demographics.
3. Migration & Transatlantic Travel Patterns
- Migration from Europe to North America remained steady, with major routes connecting the UK, France, Germany, and Scandinavia to the U.S. and Canada.
- Key migration-related voyages included:
- SS Stavangerfjord (September 29, 1954) – Oslo to New York via Bergen.
- SS Liberté (September 21, 1954) – Le Havre to New York.
- SS Nieuw Amsterdam (October 8, 1954) – Rotterdam to New York.
- These routes continued to serve post-war migration needs, with Canada and the U.S. maintaining their status as top destinations for European migrants.
4. The Role of Luxury & Leisure Travel in the 1950s
- First Class travel remained popular for the wealthy, diplomats, and business elites.
- Key luxury voyages included:
- RMS Strathmore (August 24, 1954) – London to Sydney via the Suez Canal.
- SS Constitution (November 5, 1954) – New York to Naples via Cannes and Genoa.
- SS Independence (August 14, 1954) – Naples to New York via Cannes.
- The growth of Mediterranean routes (Italy to the U.S.) reflected an increase in both migration and tourism, with American travelers visiting Europe in record numbers.
Most Interesting Voyages of 1954
1. SS Stavangerfjord (September 29, 1954) – The Last Major Scandinavian Migration Wave
- This Oslo-to-New York voyage via Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Bergen highlights Norwegian migration to the U.S., which had been ongoing for over a century.
- As air travel grew, this would be one of the final years where ocean liners carried large numbers of Scandinavian migrants to North America.
2. RMS Strathmore (August 24, 1954) – A Grand Journey Through the Suez Canal
- This London-to-Sydney voyage via Port Said, Bombay (Mumbai), Colombo, Fremantle, and Melbourne was a classic P&O Line route.
- This journey provided a colonial link between Britain and Australia, transporting migrants, government officials, and business travelers.
3. RMS Orion (October 8, 1954) – The Expansion of Transpacific Routes
- This Vancouver-to-Sydney voyage via Honolulu, Suva, and Auckland showcased the growing importance of Transpacific migration and tourism.
- By 1954, ocean liners were still the primary mode of travel between North America and Australia.
4. SS Atlantic (July 17, 1954) – Canada’s Continued Immigration Boom
- This Quebec-to-Southampton voyage via Le Havre was a key route in post-war migration trends.
- Canada remained a top destination for European migrants, with Québec and Montréal serving as major entry points.
World Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1954
1. The End of Ellis Island as an Immigration Hub
- By November 1954, the U.S. Immigration Service ceased regular operations at Ellis Island as immigration procedures shifted to embassy-based visa processing.
- This marked the end of an era for ocean liner migration, as more immigrants were now arriving by air travel rather than by sea.
2. The Expansion of Commercial Air Travel & the Decline of Transatlantic Passenger Ships
- 1954 saw the expansion of transatlantic air routes, making flights more accessible.
- The Douglas DC-7 was introduced in 1953, allowing for nonstop transatlantic flights.
- Air travel was faster and, increasingly, more affordable for business and leisure travelers.
3. Migration Shifts – More People Moving to Canada, Australia, and South America
- Post-war European migration was diversifying, with Canada, Australia, and Argentina receiving large numbers of immigrants.
- Ships like SS Liberté, RMS Strathmore, and SS Stavangerfjord played key roles in this transition.
Conclusion
The Ellis Island Passenger Lists for 1954 document a pivotal moment in maritime migration history, as the golden era of ocean liner travel was fading.
- Ellis Island processed its last immigrant in 1954, signaling the end of mass migration via ocean liners.
- Tourist Class became the dominant travel category, making transatlantic crossings more affordable for middle-class travelers.
- Luxury travel routes, particularly between the U.S., Europe, and the Mediterranean, remained strong.
- Migration patterns shifted toward Canada and Australia, with key voyages supporting post-war resettlement efforts.
- Air travel was beginning to replace ocean liners as the preferred method of transatlantic travel.
By 1955, ocean liners were still important, but their dominance in transatlantic migration and business travel was quickly being challenged by aviation.
The Last Immigrant Processed at Ellis Island
Arne Pettersen, a Norwegian merchant seaman, holds the distinction of being the last immigrant processed at Ellis Island, a significant immigration gateway that closed its doors in 1954. Hailing from Larvik, Norway, Pettersen had a history of maritime voyages that frequently brought him to the United States. He overstayed his permitted shore leave in New York on multiple occasions, with at least four known instances in 1940, 1944, 1953, and 1954.
In 1954, during one such overstay, Pettersen was detained by immigration authorities for exceeding the 29-day limit granted to non-immigrant crew members. He was subsequently held at Ellis Island, which had by then transitioned from a primary immigration processing center to a detention facility, a significant change in its role. At his hearing, Pettersen applied for voluntary departure, claiming it was his first infraction and expressing intent to depart promptly. He was granted parole to leave within a specified timeframe.
On November 12, 1954, Arne Pettersen, the last immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island, departed from its shores, marking the end of its operations as an immigration station. The media widely covered this historic moment, with photographs capturing Pettersen waving as he left. Despite some confusion about his origins, records confirm that Pettersen hailed from Larvik, Norway. After his release, he returned to his homeland and continued his life away from the public eye.
Arne Pettersen's departure symbolizes the closing chapter of Ellis Island's role in American immigration history. It bridged the era between mass immigration and modern immigration policies.
Based on "Solving the Mystery of Arne Pettersen, the Last to Leave Ellis Island," by Megan Smolenyak via Megansmolenyak.com on July 6, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.bunkhistory.org/resources/solving-the-mystery-of-arne-pettersen-the-last-to-leave-ellis-island, 8 February 2025.
