A Voyage Through Time: The SS Ivernia’s Cunard Daily Bulletin (July 22, 1908)
Discover the Cunard Daily Bulletin from July 22, 1908, aboard the SS Ivernia. This historic newspaper captures transatlantic travel, global news, Marconigrams, passenger life, and luxury advertisements from the Edwardian era.
Front Page, SS Ivernia Onboard Publication of the Cunard Daily Bulletin for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131d07cfbd
RMS Ivernia - Dimensions: Length: 600 Feet; Beam: 64 Feet, 6 Inches; Tonnage: 14,066; Horsepower: 10,000. GGA Image ID # 131d256b27
Cunard Daily Bulletin, SS Ivernia Edition, provided readers with plenty of advertisements, short stories, Saloon Passenger List for this voyage, Marconigrams, View of the Enquiry Bureau onboard the RMS Carmania and Caronia, and a Photograph of the RMS Ivernia.
Enquiry Bureau on the RMS Carmania and RMS Caronia. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition, 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 1dc99c15f1
Contents
- The Caliph Stork
- Enquiry Bureau, RMS Carmania and Caronia
- Saloon Passenger List
- Marconigrams
- Anecdotes
- Old English Proverbs
- Proposed Sailings - Liverpool New York Service; Liverpool Boston Service; and Cunard Hungarian-American Service
- Stonehenge
- American Humour
SS Ivernia Saloon Passenger List for 15 July 1908, Boston to Liverpool via Queenstown (Cobh). Published in the 22 July 1908 SS Ivernia Edition of the Cunard Daily Bulletin. GGA Image ID # 131d313da5
View the SS Ivernia Saloon Passenger List for 15 July 1908
Marconigrams, SS Ivernia Onboard Publication of the Cunard Daily Bulletin for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131db769e5
Editorial Office, RMS Ivernia, Wednesday, 22 July 1908.
Associated Press Telegrams received from the Marconi Station at Crookhaven.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. PRESENT SITUATION.
Cablegrams received from New York- state the political atmosphere is somewhat quiet after the excitement of the Chicago and Denver Conventions and both Taft and Bryan have retired into solitude.
Both candidates are busily engaged preparing the speeches to be made to the deputations notifying them officially of the candidates nomination. Some excitement prevails at the possibility of Hearst running as the nominee of the Independence League, and it is felt that his doing so would seriously mitigate Bryan’s chances of success.
GERMAN LABOUR WAR GOVERNMENT YARDS CLOSED.
A correspondent at Stettin, Germany, reports the labour disturbances have assumed a very critical stage and the construction of warships at the naval yard has been seriously interfered with. The workmen absolutely refuse to work overtime and the yards of the Vulcan Company have been closed in consequence.
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ELECTION
The bye election in Pembrokeshire resulted in a Liberal victory by a majority of 2,174 votes.
THE BALKAN TROUBLE. SERIOUS OUTLOOK.
Dispatches from Vienna report a most critical situation in Macedonia. Despite the most active measures on the part of the authorities, they appear powerless to arrest the progress of the revolutionary movement which is spreading throughout the whole of Turkey. The attitude of the disaffected troops practically amounts to rebellion and they are joining the revolutionists in large numbers.
AMERICAN FLEET’S PROGRESS. CHINESE APPRECIATION.
A Pekin dispatch says exceptional preparations are being made by the Chinese Government to give the American Fleet a hearty welcome on their arrival in Chinese waters. The part rendered by the United States in the Chinese education question meets with the warm approval of the authorities, who will spare no means to show their appreciation on the arrival of the fleet.
THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
A telegram from London says the position of the nations in the contests being held in London is as follows :—England 30 points, United States 12 points and Sweden 5 points. Great indignation is felt in athletic circles in London at the reports cabled by correspondents to certain New York papers complaining of the decisions made by the judges. The charges, it is asserted, are absolutely without foundation and have created a great amount of resentment among athletes.
Divine Service.
Choral Service was held in the Saloon on Sunday at 10:30 am There was a good attendance, and at the close a collection was made in aid of the Seamen's Charities of Liverpool and Boston.
Amount realised £7 10s. 8d.
Daily RUNS.
- Wednesday noon, from Boston Light-ship.
369 miles - Thursday, Lat. 41.23 N. Long. 54'24 W.
364 miles - Friday, Lat. 41.17 N. Long. 46.27 W.
366 miles - Saturday, Lat. 44'38 N. Long. 29.06 W.
38o miles - Sunday, Lat. 47.28 N. Long. 30'54 W.
381 miles - Monday, Lat. 49.45 N. Long. 21.40 W.
391 miles - Tuesday, Lat. 5rio N. Long. 11.36 W. 393 miles.
To Daunt's Rock
132 miles
Notice.
Passengers are urged not to leave any Articles of Value about the Saloon, Staterooms, or elsewhere, especially before the departure of the Steamer. Money, Jewellery, or other Valuables should be deposited with the Purser for safe keeping.
Camp Stools can be obtained from the Bedroom Steward.
Wireless Telegraph
Tuesday: At 9:45 am when leaving Boston, communication was established with the land station at Cape Code and maintained until 8:00 pm
Wednesday.-—At 8:55 a.m. signals were exchanged with Cape Sable and at 11:50 a.m. signals were received from Sable Island. Communication with Sable Island was maintained for sixteen hours.
Thursday.—At 10:00 a.m. we were in communication with the SS Caledonia, bound for New York.
Friday.—At 8:45 a.m. communication was established with the SS Prinz Friedrick Wilhelm bound West.
Saturday.—At 12:10 p. m. the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse came within range and signals were exchanged at frequent intervals.
Sunday.—At 10:50 a.m. communication was established with the Company’s RMS Lusitania, bound East. She reported light southerly winds.
At 1:50 p m. signals were exchanged with the SS Celtic, bound West. She reported strong westerly winds to 16' W., since light westerly wind.
Monday.—At 9:50 a.m. communication was established with the Company’s RMS Lucania, bound for New York. She reported light N.W. to S.W. winds from Fastnet.
At 1:15 p.m. signals were received from the SS Republic, bound West. She reported light breezes.
At 3:40 p.m. the SS La Touraine came within range and at 8:30 p.m. signals were exchanged with the SS Minneapolis, both bound West.
Selected Advertisers in this Issue
- Perrier: The Champagne of Table Water
- Waring's Modern Furniture & Decoration - London, Liverpool, Paris, Madrid, Montreal
- Collard & Collard Forte Piano - London
- The Electric Landaulet Company, Ltd. - Chelsea (Car Rentals)
- The Irish Warehouse - London
- Waygood Lifts - London
- Robinson & Cleaver Ltd. - Regent Street, London
- R. H. Macy & Co., Inc. - New York
- Dunhill's Motorities - London, Manchester, and Glasgow (Car Parts)
- J. H. & S. Irish Lace Depot, Queenstown
- Martin Kosminski, Manufacturing Furrier - London
- J. & J. Paton, Educational Agents - London
- Barclay Perkins London Stouts
- R., Twining & Co., Ltd. - London, Liverpool, and Paris (Tea & Coffee Merchants)
- Elkington Plate, Wears for Fifty Years - Liverpool
- London & North Western Railroad of England
- The London-Harwich-Hook of Holland Express
- The Canadian Bank of Commerce
- Apollinaris Table Waters
- Meux Stout
- W. Turner Lord & Co. - London (Interior Decorators)
- Irish Industries - Dublin
- Hill, Thomson & Co. Queen Anne Scotch Wiskey - Edinburgh
- White Label Worcestershire Sauce
- Mattoni Water
- Peter Robinson Ltd. - Finest Couturiers in Europe - Regent Street, London
- Allan Royal Mail Line
- Hunyadi János Natural Mineral Water
- Thomas Cook & Son - Cook's Tours
Advertisment, R. H. Macy & Co., New York. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131dc04ccb
Advertisement, London & North Western Railroad of England. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131dc1b8f9
Advertisement, The London-Harwich-Hook of Holland Express. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131e9a572a
Advertisement, Irish Industries of Dublin. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131ec5a842
Advertisement, W. Turner Lord & Co, London. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131ef152a6
Advertisement, The Cunard Steam Ship Company Ltd. Money Drafts. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131ef3193e
MONEY DRAFTS.
The Company issue, free of charge, drafts on their own Offices in New York, Boston, or Chicago payable at sight in U.S. Currency, and to avoid delay and the responsibility of carrying loose money, passengers are recommended to avail themselves of these drafts.
Similar facilities are also afforded to passengers from the United States. They may obtain from any of the Co.’s Sub-Agents, who are to be found in most of the towns of the U.S., drafts limited to £10, payable in almost every town in the United Kingdom.
Drafts for any amount can also be purchased at the Co.’s Head Offices, New York, Boston, or Chicago, payable at the Company’s Offices in Queenstown, Glasgow, London or Liverpool.
Advertisement, Peter Robinson Ltd., Regent Street, London. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131efacf07
Advertisement, Allan Royal Mail Line. Ships Include the Victorian, Virginian, Tunisian, Corsican, Grampian, and Hesperian. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition for 22 July 1908. GGA Image ID # 131f1a86b9
🚢 Cunard Daily Bulletin – Aboard the SS Ivernia, July 22, 1908: A Journey Through Time & Transatlantic Travel 🌍
📜 A Historic Onboard Newspaper Offering a Snapshot of Life at Sea and Global Affairs
The Cunard Daily Bulletin issued aboard the SS Ivernia on July 22, 1908, is a fascinating glimpse into transatlantic travel during the early 20th century. More than just a ship’s newsletter, this edition contains real-time global news, Marconigrams (early wireless messages), a passenger list, humor, proverbs, and advertisements catering to the well-heeled traveler.
For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this bulletin is a primary-source document that offers insights into ocean travel, early wireless communication, and international events during the Edwardian era.
🌊 Why This Bulletin is a Must-Read for History & Maritime Enthusiasts
📡 Cutting-Edge Wireless Technology: Marconigrams Bring the World to the Atlantic
One of the most remarkable features of this edition is the real-time news updates received via Marconi wireless telegraphy. Before the era of internet and radio broadcasting, passengers aboard ocean liners like the SS Ivernia were able to receive breaking news from across the globe—an extraordinary technological feat for 1908.
Key Global News on July 22, 1908:
📌 The U.S. Presidential Election – A cable from New York reported that candidates William Howard Taft (Republican) and William Jennings Bryan (Democrat) had retreated from the public eye after their respective conventions in Chicago and Denver. Speculation swirled about William Randolph Hearst possibly running as an independent, which could affect Bryan’s chances.
📌 German Labor Strikes Disrupt Shipbuilding – In Stettin, Germany, labor unrest had reached a crisis, halting the construction of warships in government yards and forcing the closure of the Vulcan shipbuilding company.
📌 Political Unrest in the Balkans – Reports from Vienna described an escalating crisis in Macedonia, with rebellious troops defecting to revolutionaries and unrest spreading across Turkey.
📌 The American Navy Arrives in China – In Peking (Beijing), the Chinese government prepared an elaborate welcome for the United States Navy, citing American efforts in Chinese education as a reason for their hospitality.
📌 Olympic Games Controversy – The 1908 London Olympics were underway, and a cable from London reported that England was leading the medal count with 30 points, the United States had 12 points, and Sweden held 5 points. However, tensions were rising between American and British athletes, with U.S. newspapers accusing judges of bias—a claim that infuriated British sports circles.
💡 For Historians & Political Science Students: These updates provide firsthand insight into pre-WWI geopolitical tensions, labor movements, and global relations.
🛳️ The SS Ivernia: A Stalwart of the Cunard Fleet
The SS Ivernia, built in 1899, was an important vessel in Cunard’s transatlantic service, operating routes from Boston to Liverpool via Queenstown (Cobh, Ireland).
⚓ Ship Specifications:
🔹 Length: 600 feet
🔹 Beam: 64 feet, 6 inches
🔹 Tonnage: 14,066 tons
🔹 Horsepower: 10,000
💡 For Maritime Historians & Enthusiasts: This issue provides valuable historical context on Cunard’s fleet and the role of steamships in transatlantic travel.
📜 A Glimpse into Daily Life on the Ivernia
The SS Ivernia’s log for this voyage recorded impressive daily mileage as the ship steamed towards Liverpool:
📍 Boston to Queenstown Route:
📆 July 15: Departed Boston
📆 July 16: 364 nautical miles
📆 July 17: 366 nautical miles
📆 July 18: 380 nautical miles
📆 July 19: 381 nautical miles
📆 July 20: 391 nautical miles
📆 July 21: 393 nautical miles
🌊 Weather Conditions: Generally calm seas and light breezes.
💡 For Navigation Enthusiasts & Meteorologists: This real-world log provides data on transatlantic crossings in the early 1900s.
🎭 Onboard Social & Religious Activities
Ocean voyages in the Edwardian era were structured and filled with entertainment, religious services, and fundraising efforts.
📢 Notable Events Onboard:
🎶 Choral Divine Service – A Sunday worship service was held in the Saloon, and a collection was made for seamen’s charities in Liverpool and Boston, raising £7 10s. 8d.
🎲 Deck Games & Social Gatherings – Passengers had access to games, social lounges, and a reading room.
💡 For Sociologists & Genealogists: This bulletin provides a cultural snapshot of shipboard life and how passengers interacted during long voyages.
📡 Wireless Communications with Other Ships
The SS Ivernia regularly exchanged signals with other vessels, showcasing the rapid growth of maritime wireless communication.
🛳️ Ships in Contact with the Ivernia via Wireless Telegraphy:
🔹 SS Caledonia (bound for New York)
🔹 SS Prinz Friedrick Wilhelm (westbound)
🔹 SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse
🔹 RMS Lusitania – Reported light southerly winds
🔹 SS Celtic – Reported strong westerly winds
🔹 RMS Lucania – Provided weather updates
💡 For Technology & Communication Enthusiasts: This bulletin highlights early advancements in transatlantic radio communication, a precursor to modern maritime and aviation navigation.
🛍️ A Look at Edwardian Consumerism: Luxury Goods & Services for the Transatlantic Traveler
The advertisements featured in this bulletin offer a fascinating look into the consumer culture of 1908, highlighting prestigious brands catering to ocean liners’ elite passengers.
🛒 Notable Brands & Services Advertised:
👜 Peter Robinson Ltd. (London) – One of the finest couturiers in Europe.
🏨 R.H. Macy & Co. (New York) – Showcasing "marvels of American merchandising."
🍵 Twinings Tea – The oldest tea & coffee merchants in the world.
🥃 Hill, Thomson & Co. "Queen Anne" Scotch Whisky – High-end Scotch whisky for discerning travelers.
🚂 London & North Western Railroad – Luxury rail services connecting ports to London.
🚗 Dunhill’s Motorities – High-end automobile accessories.
💡 For Business & Cultural Historians: These ads provide a glimpse into Edwardian consumer trends and the luxury market.
📌 Why This Bulletin is Important for Research & Education
👩🏫 For Teachers & Students
📖 Primary Source Analysis – A real-world document from 1908 for research on global affairs, technology, and travel history.
📖 Transatlantic Communication & Innovation – Highlights early wireless technology and its impact on global connectivity.
📜 For Genealogists
🧬 Passenger Lists – Could help locate ancestors who traveled on the SS Ivernia.
🧬 Insights into Shipboard Life – A firsthand account of leisure, entertainment, and social class divisions.
📚 For Historians & Researchers
🔍 A firsthand account of maritime travel in 1908.
🔍 Economic & political news from the pre-WWI period.
🔍 Advertising insights into Edwardian consumerism.
🌊 Step aboard the SS Ivernia—where luxury, global news, and cutting-edge technology converged in 1908! 🚢✨
