Historic Shipboard Publications: Newspapers, Magazines & Bulletins from Ocean Liners
A Sampling of our Onboard Ship Publications
Printing a Daily Newspaper on Board a Steamship circa 1910. GGA Image ID # 13297b9132
Our travel-related newspapers, newsletters, and magazines encompass several steamship lines, including Cunard, CGT French Line, Hamburg America Line, and Norddeutscher Lloyd. Maritime publications include Sea Breezes, Steamboat Bill, and The Shipbuilder.
Marine publications became a reality on 7 February 1903 on board the Cunard liner Etruria. This paper was a small affair, with condensed news. The editor was the purser, J. A. McCubbin, and when his blue pencil had done its share, the "ship's printer," A. Harris (whose setting of menus and programs), set to work, and at 2 am, the paper went to press. Half an hour later, several hundred copies were in the custody of the "circulation superintendent," who saw they were in the hands of passengers with the matutinal rolls.
Editing the Daily Newspaper Printed on Board an Ocean Liner circa 1910. GGA Image ID # 13299ca93c
The "ship's printer" is not an unknown quantity. For years, he has been at work on ocean liners and men-of-war, where menus, concert programs, or orders of the day should receive the authority imparted by the dignity of print.
While the transformation has been going on at sea, the new invention has given rise to much discussion ashore among newspaper journalists and philologists. Marconi wished that some better phrase could be found than "wireless telegraphy," which has set the philologists to work with little noteworthy or tangible result. Newspaper usage will doubtless lead the way to a solution of this question.
The Cunard Daily Bulletin was printed on heavy calendared paper and typographically compared favorably with many magazines published here and abroad. The daily journal is generally prepared by the Purser, his two printers (assistants), and a flat-bed press.
The paper goes to press in the early morning hours, and the passengers much enjoyed the novelty of reading a newspaper at their breakfast tables.
Historical Maritime Magazine Archives
Cunard Daily Bulletin
The Cunard Daily Bulletin, printed onboard the prestigious Cunard Line steamships during the early 1900s, served as an essential source of news, entertainment, and shipboard updates for passengers. These bulletins reflected the luxury, organization, and attention to detail that Cunard was known for, offering a mix of maritime information, international news, entertainment, and advertisements.
The Cunard Daily Bulletin: Wireless News, Luxury, and Advertising at Sea
The Cunard Daily Bulletin stands as a remarkable innovation in maritime history, offering passengers aboard Cunard Line ships a real-time connection to world events through wireless telegraphy. This review explores how this floating newspaper transformed transatlantic travel by delivering daily news updates, financial reports, and even fashion articles directly to passengers at sea.
For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this article serves as a valuable resource for studying early 20th-century ocean travel, communication advancements, and the passenger experience aboard luxury liners like the Lusitania, Mauretania, and Campania.
SS Slavonia Daily Bulletin (23 October 1904): Wireless Messages, Ocean Travel & Immigration
The Cunard Daily Bulletin for the SS Slavonia on 23 October 1904 stands as one of the earliest known shipboard newspapers, offering a remarkable glimpse into the Edwardian-era transatlantic experience. This four-page publication, issued each morning at breakfast, provided real-time wireless news, maritime updates, weather reports, and passenger details—a treasure trove of historical insights.
RMS Ivernia Daily Bulletin (28 June 1905): Ocean Travel, Breaking News & Edwardian Elegance
The Cunard Daily Bulletin from 28 June 1905, published aboard the RMS Ivernia, serves as an exceptional primary source document from the golden era of transatlantic travel. This 24-page shipboard newspaper offers a rich collection of news, passenger records, Marconigrams (wireless messages), and cultural insights, making it an indispensable resource for educators, historians, genealogists, and maritime enthusiasts.
RMS Umbria Daily Bulletin (24 July 1905): Ocean Travel, Breaking News & Edwardian Luxury
The Cunard Daily Bulletin from 24 July 1905, published onboard the RMS Umbria, offers a fascinating and highly detailed record of early 20th-century ocean travel. As a daily shipboard newspaper, it served as a vital source of news, entertainment, ship updates, and advertisements for first-class passengers crossing the Atlantic. This edition of the Cunard Daily Bulletin acts as a window into an era of grandeur, technological progress, and global change, making it an indispensable resource for understanding the world of transatlantic ocean travel.
1906 Cunard Daily Bulletin, Fashion & Pleasure Resort Supplement
The Cunard Daily Bulletin, Fashion & Pleasure Resort Supplement was an Annual Publication published by the Cunard Line and distributed during the year to their transatlantic passengers on the many Cunard Ocean Liners.
RMS Carmania Daily Bulletin (7 June 1906): Transatlantic Travel & Breaking News at Sea
The Cunard Daily Bulletin from 7 June 1906, published onboard the RMS Carmania, provides a fascinating snapshot of early 20th-century ocean travel. This daily shipboard newspaper functioned as an essential source of news, entertainment, and passenger updates for travelers making their way across the Atlantic. The luxury and daily life aboard an Edwardian-era ocean liner.
1907 Cunard Daily Bulletin, Fashion & Pleasure Resort Supplement
The Cunard Daily Bulletin, Fashion & Pleasure Resort Supplement for 1907 was an Annual Publication published by the Cunard Line and distributed during the year to their transatlantic passengers on the many Cunard Ocean Liners.
1908 Cunard Daily Bulletin, Fashion and Pleasure Resort Supplement
The Cunard Daily Bulletin was published daily on board each steamship of the Cunard Line. This represents one of the annual supplements for 1908 that passengers could pick up and read at their leisure. Extremely rare and profusely illustrated periodical was typical of that era in steamship travel.
The Cunard Daily Bulletin from 24 January 1908, aboard the RMS Campania, offers a fascinating snapshot of transatlantic travel during the Edwardian era. This onboard newspaper was not just a daily informational guide for passengers but a historical artifact that reveals the economic, social, and maritime trends of the time. With its engaging content and global perspective, the RMS Campania’s Cunard Bulletin serves as an essential resource for understanding the role of steamships in shaping international commerce, diplomacy, and high society.
Lusitania’s Record-Breaking Voyage – Cunard Daily Bulletin (June 10, 1908)
The Cunard Daily Bulletin from June 10, 1908, aboard the RMS Lusitania is more than just a ship’s newspaper—it is a time capsule of early 20th-century ocean travel, world affairs, and luxury passenger life. This onboard publication provides fascinating insights into transatlantic crossings, technological advancements in wireless communication, and real-time global news.
A Voyage Through Time: The SS Ivernia’s Cunard Daily Bulletin (July 22, 1908)
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.
The Cunard Daily Bulletin – RMS Etruria’s September 1908 Voyage & Life at Sea
On September 11, 1908, the Cunard Daily Bulletin aboard the RMS Etruria provided its passengers with a rich tapestry of news, social updates, and maritime culture. This edition offers an invaluable glimpse into transatlantic travel during the early 20th century, covering news from around the world, entertainment, shipping updates, and advertisements from elite establishments catering to ocean liners' affluent clientele.
The Cunard Daily Bulletin – Life Aboard the RMS Mauretania on June 17, 1911
The Cunard Daily Bulletin, published aboard the RMS Mauretania on June 17, 1911, is a remarkable historical document that offers a real-time glimpse into life aboard one of the most celebrated ocean liners of its time. With news updates from around the world, a saloon passenger list, Marconigrams (early wireless communications), stock market updates, advertisements, and details about upcoming onboard events, this edition serves as a window into both maritime history and global affairs.
1912 Cunard Daily Bulletin, Summer Number
Featured Articles include: A Japanese Girl Painter of Genius: The Story of Miss Wakana Utagawa and her Art; The Adventuress -- A Short Story By J. J. Bell and A King in Babylon -- A Short Story By Alice and Claude Askew. Several illustrated Women's Fashion Articles are also included.
Cunarder Travel Magazine
The Cunarder Travel Magazine, published by the Cunard Line during the first half of the twentieth century, was a premier publication designed to promote luxury ocean travel, showcase Cunard’s prestigious fleet, and inspire international exploration. It served as both an advertising tool and a high-quality travel periodical, featuring elegant photography, engaging articles, and stylish design that reflected the grandeur of transatlantic voyages.
1921-07 The Cunarder Travel Magazine
Featured Articles include: A Motor Trip from London to Bath, By Adelaide Bragg Gillespie; The Golf Courses of Scotland, By John Arnot and The Pine Forests of Switzerland.
1921-12 Cunarder Travel Magazine Christmas Number
Fetured Articles include: 'Twas Christmas on the "Aquitania," By Charles Welton; The Playground of Europe, By Dorothy Cocks; The Hawkers and Minstrels of London's Streets, By Phillips Russell; and the wormen's fashion number -- Wraps In Which To Welcome Atlantic Breezes, By Julia Marquis.
1922-11 Cunarder Travel Magazine - Special Mediterranean Cruise Issue
Volume 3, Number 5, November 1922 issue of the Cunarder, the Special Mediterranean Cruise Issue featured articles including: Highlights Of A Mediterranean Cruise, By Frank A. Owen, Purser Of The "Carmania"; A Modern Traveler in Ancient Palestine, By Gregory Scott; Confessions Of A Ship News Reporter By Charles Welton, P.S.N.R. and a women's fashion article Fashions For The Crisp Brisk Days At Sea, By Ethel Fleming.
1923-05 Cunarder Travel Magazine - Special Scandinavian Issue
The Cunarder, Volume 4, Number 5, May 1923 was a Special Scandinavian Issue that featured articles included: The Great Fair at Gothenberg this Summer, by Victor O. Freeburg; Scandinavian Art; Good Reasons for Touring Scandinavia; Sweden as the Traveler's Goal, by Olof H. Lamm; and Copenhagen, By Chance--and Choice, by Alice Rostetter.
1923-09 The Cunarder: Special Scotch and English Number
The September 1923 Issue of the Cunarder, the Special Scotch and English Number featured articles included: "So This Is London!" by A Recently Returned New Yorker, with Cartoons by Herman Roeg; Scott's Country, by Roland Gorbold, F.R.G.S., F.R P.S.; Cambridge in Sunlight and Shadow, by Bertram Cox, F.R.P.S.; and Mellow Old Cambridge, by Evelyn P. Curtis.
1923-12 The Cunarder, Christmas - Winter Issue
The December 1923 Christmas - Winter Issue of the Cunarder Magazine featured articles included: Christmas in the Desert, by Donald Townsend; Christmas in Two Lovely Far-Away Lands; Staunch Little Sailors on the Cunard Fleet, by Ethel Fleming; and Do Your Christmas Planning Early, by Martha Meadows. Women's fashion of the day was illustrated by On the Crest of the Wave of Fashion number.
1924-02 The Cunarder: Prague - The City of Legends
The February 1924 issue of The Cunarder Magazine featured articles included: Prague - The City of Legends, by Dr. Borivoj Prusik; Where East Meets West in Europe, by Stan. V. Klima; Some Notes of the Czechoslovok Arts, by Aleã Broz; and Is It Not Again "Eastward Ho?" by Harrison Rhodes, Illustrations by Gordon Ross. The women's Fashion piece was represented by On the Crest of the Wave of Fashion.
1924-03 The Cunarder: Budapest Hungary Issue
The March 1924 issue of The Cunarder featured a number of articles on Budapest Hungary including: Budapest - The World's Playground, by Zs. de Harsanyi; The "Balaton" - Two Hours from Budapest, by Gisela Hasai; Motoring Through Picturesque Hungary, by Bela Green; and The Wonders of the Puszta, by Prof. E. Cholnoky. On the Crest of the Wave of Fashion featured women's fashion on board the steamships.
1924-07 The Cunarder: Mediterranean Special Issue
The July 1924 issue of The Cunarder was a Mediterranean Special Issue featured articles including: A Holiday on the Mediterranean, by A.E. Burroughs; A Mediterranean Holiday on the Scythia, Photographs by Ferd. A. Unger; Seeing Europe Informally on $20 a Week, by Randolph W. Sexton and Seeing Switzerland in Two Weeks, by Marie Widmer.
1924-11 The Cunarder: Special West Indies Number
The November 1924 issue of The Cunarder, a Special West Indies Number, featured articles included: Highlights of a West Indies Cruise, by T.R. West; Havana, Capital of the Land of Romance, by Jane Rossa; Bermuda, "The Little Fairy Isle," by A.S. Bell and Jamaica, Land of Springs and Streams, by P.A.Orwell.
1925-02 The Cunarder: England, Wales and The British Countryside
The February 1925 issue of The Cunarder -- the England, Wales and The British Countryside Special articles included: Do This When You're in England, by Clara E. Laughlin; "The Fourty-Ninth State," by Roland Gorbold, F.R.G.S., F.R.P.S.; Rural Wales Has a Charm All Its Own - Photos by J. Derham; American Shrines in England, by Adelaide B. Gillespie; London Days, by Rose E. Bailey and What the Tuscania Cruisers Will See, by P.W. Whatmough. Women's Fashions piece On the Crest of the Wave of Fashion reappeared with this issue.
1925-06 The Cunarder: Special Wembley Number
The June 1925 issue of The Cunarder: Special Wembley Number, Vol. 8 No. 6 articles included: Speeding Up at the Exhigition, by Sir Travers Clarke; Wonders Old and New at Wembley, by J.S. Crawford; Going 'Round the World at Wembley, by Arthur B. Lewis; The Charm of Athelhampton Hall, by Margaret Muir - Illustrations by Herbert S. Kates; and Motoring in England, by Clara E. Laughlin. On the Crest of the Wave of Fashion presents the latest in Onboard Fashions for Women.
1926-09 The Cunarder: A Travel Magazine
Delightful Cunard Travel Magazine Offers Photographs and Articles on Destinations, Fashions, and Who's Who on the Cunarders. This Issue Featured Articles Included: The Saving Sense, by M. E. Nichols; Charming Dalecarlia, by Gregory Scott; One of the Stone Dwellings of Pancorbo, by Herbert S. Kates; Geneva, the City of Enchantment, by Barbara Scott; "Cheerful, Merry, Dr. Brighton" by Patrick French; And Shopping Through France, Belgium and England, by Gwendoline Keene.
1930-05 The Cunarder - A Travel Magazine, Scandianavian Issue
The May 1930 Scandianavian Issue of The Cunarder featured articles included: Sweden's Modern Arts and Crafts, by Janet Stewart; Finland, by Robert Porter; How One Fares in Stockholm, by Naboth Herdin; A Summer Paradise, by Colonel A. Heinicke; and Suited to Travel, by Ruth Seder featured women's fashions on board steamships of the day.
1930-08 The Cunarder, A Travel Magazine, Far East Issue
The August 1930 Far East Issue of The Cunarder featured articles included: Pekin By Sydney Greenbie; The Happy Island Japan and the Japanese By Reneé Browne; Something Rich and Strange -- The City of Bangkok By Ethel Fleming; Soft Life in Shanghai -- Living Well on Little In China By Anne Donnelly; Aloha from Hawaii By Betty Bacon; and The World of Diversion By Betty Shannon. Fill-Ins for the Traveler, Women's Fashions on board ship By Ruth Seder was also included.
1931-11 The Cunarder - A Travel Magazine
The November 1931 issue of The Cunarder featured articles included: Five Ways to See Havana By Vincent Engels; Cartagena Recalls Medieval Spain By Elaine Bickerstaffe; I Know A Place By Robin Douglas; Bermuda's Immortal Lovers By John MacIntyre; and Rolling On Past Rio -- For Mardi Gras By Lois Duncan Foley. Women's Fashion Article Hand Knitted Tweeds For Travelers By Ruth Seder.
1933-05 The Cunarder: A Modern Travel Magazine
The May 1933 issue of The Cunarder Magazine featured articles included: The Swedes Love Superfluity By Susan Smith; Exotic Journey By Charles T. Trego; Don't Miss These! By R. Coldwell; A New Paradise in the Balearics By Virginia Van Paterson; and Knitting: The New Deck Sport By Ruth Seder.
1933-09 Cunarder: A Modern Travel Magazine
The September 1933 issue of The Cunarder featured articles included: Curacao Curiosa Papiamentoe ... Perfume ... Pearls By Albert K. Dawson; Bring on the 'Heuriger' By Sophie Wilds; Javanese Diary By Charles T. Trego; and Luxury for a Song ... In Anacapri By Carol Coombs Heyl. Passports to Elegance the Women's Fashion Piece by Cunard Line featured two evening ensembles from Bergdoff Goodman.
North German Lloyd Bulletin
The North German Lloyd Bulletin, published in the early 1900s, was an onboard and promotional periodical produced by the Norddeutscher Lloyd (North German Lloyd, NGL), one of the most prominent German steamship lines of the era. It was designed to inform, entertain, and engage passengers traveling on transatlantic crossings, European voyages, and global routes. The bulletin not only provided daily updates and shipboard news but also served as a marketing tool to highlight the grandeur and efficiency of NGL's fleet.
1911-12 North German Lloyd Bulletin
December 1911 issue of the North German Lloyd Bulletin was a Special Switzerland Winter Sports Number, full of articles, ads, and photographs.
The Seven Sea Magazine by HAPAG Lloyd
The Seven Seas Magazine was a prestigious travel and lifestyle publication produced by HAPAG-Lloyd (Hamburg-America Line and North German Lloyd) during the 1930s. Aimed at affluent travelers, business elites, and maritime enthusiasts, the magazine served as a sophisticated promotional tool, celebrating the luxury, culture, and adventure of ocean voyages aboard HAPAG-Lloyd’s world-renowned liners.
1932-01 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 8, No. 5 for January 1931. Photographs include: Female Peasants of Poland; Scene from the Blue Angel in Paris; Arrival at Bremerhaven - 3 Photos and article on the Customs of the Country (Germany); Swiss Peasants of the Lotschen Valley; Marketing in Middleburgh in Holland; Douglas Fairbanks; Otto Kahn; Gloria Swanson and Michale Farmer; Rachmaninoff.
1932-02 The Seven Seas Magazine, Special European Events Number, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 8, No. 6 for February 1932 - Special European Number. Photographs Include: Hessian Holiday (dancing); Mt. St. Michel; A Village in Luxembourg; Caledonia Market, London; The Moat at Wells; Bass Pale Ale - pouring from a keg; Enjoying a circus ride in Heidelberg; Merry-go-round in Middleburgh; Playing Volleyball at Sea; The Bremen seen from the Bridge of the SS Europa; Musician at the Café du Dôme; At the Paris Ham Fair; Single up all lines in Bremerhaven; Sailing party: Señora José Maria Sert, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Miller, Ina Claire, Leslie Howard, Señor Sert; 11:30 p.m. onboard ship carrying food trays.
1932-03 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 9, No. 1 for March 1932. Photographs Include Schwarzwald; Relaxing in Heidelberg; Horse-Drawn Cart in Berlin; Place De La Concorde; Brittany Fête; Grand Duke Dmitri Romanoff; Will Rogers; Gerhart Hauptmann. Content Include Sunshine in Quimper, Transatlantica, Tuileries, Snack Counter, by John Mosher, Im Wien by Charles G. Shaiv, Marktplatz, English Spoken Here by John Cournos, a Calendar of Events Abroad, St. Michael’s Mount by Barbara Frost, and Books for Bon Voyage by Donald Douglas.
1932-04 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 9, No. 2 for April 1932. Photographs Include April in Holland; The Tyn at Night; Fleet Street, London; Mrs. Harvey and Ina Claire. Featured Articles Include Frontispiece, April in Holland, Transatlantica, Kindergarten, Sokol, by C. McCord Lowes, When in London... by Ernestine Evans, Baden, by James B. Wharton, Books for Bon Voyage by Donald Douglas, and Foreign Events.
1932-05 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 9, No. 3 for May 1932. Photographs Include Wedding Day in Donameschingen; Horse Guard on Parade in London; A Bayerischer Bua; Two Chefs on the Promenade Deck. Illustration of Sport at Sea - Tossing Rings Circa 1900 on Deck. Articles Include: Wedding Day in Donameschingen, Transatlantica, Horse Guards on Parade, Campanella, an Attic Romance by Byron Steel, a Bayerischer Bua, "All That Life Can Afford" by Dale Warren, a Bucket in Budapest by Claudia Cranston, and Books for Bon Voyage by Donald Douglas.
1932-06 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 9, No. 4 for June 1932. Photographs Include Frankfurt-Am-Main; Messrs. Kirchhoff and Kahn Relaxing on Deck. Articles Include Steeple in Kaiserstuhl, Transatlantica, Blue Lake and the Black Forest, Frankfurt-Am-Main, a "Bweek" in the Forest of Arden by Frances Crane, Fury in Perugia by John Mosher, a Quick Glimpse of Ireland by Fred C. Kelley, and Books for Bon Voyage by Donald Douglas.
1932-07 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 9, No. 5 for July 1932. Photographs include Scene on the Canals of Naples; Bavaria - Pub Table; Two children arriving on the SS Bremen; Bridge of the SS Bremen. Articles include Transatlantica, Fishing Scene on the Seine, The Afternoon of a Faun by Rackham Holt, Naples, A Chaperon on the Danube by John Mosher, "Among Those Arriving...," and Cheer Up ... In London! by John V. A. Weaver.
1932-08 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 9, No. 6 for August 1932. Photographs Included: Sidewalk Scenes on the Seine; Brittany; Jil Esmond, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Joan Crawford, Laurence Olivier Enjoying Dinner on the SS Bremen. Articles Include Promenade in Budapest, Frontispiece, Transatlantica, Thirst in Hungary, in a Vicar's Vineyard, by Claudia Cranston, Heuriger, No Luck, by Frances Crane, Brittany, Arrival in France by Virginia Hersch, and Books for Bon Voyage by Donald Douglas.
1932-09 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 9, No. 7 for September 1932. Photographs Included: Fest in Burgenland; Party in Cornwall; Pantry Shop in Nuremberg, Germany; Dawn in Venice; Oysters in Marseille; Tender Approaches the Ss Bremen with Passengers Watching from the Promenade Deck. Articles Include Frontispiece, Florence, Transatlantica, Pottery Shop, Polyglot Children by Sidney A. Clark, Harvest in Morocco, a Day in Moscow by Josephine Herbst, Artist as Guide, by John Mosher, And, Broadway Looks at Berlin by Doug Brinkley.
1932-10 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 10, No. 2 for October 1932. Photographs include Byzantine, Istanbul; Holiday in Hungary with Dancing Girls in Costume; The Beach at Majorca; School girls in Brittany; Mme. Costes and Baronne de Beaufort; Bavarian Pastorale; VIP Passengers Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Lunt and Mr. Henry Miller found relaxing on the SS Bremen; Toscanini - The Bremen. Articles Include Frontispiece - Byzantine, Transatlantica, Majorca, Live Dangerously by Rack Ham Holt, The Bastile Column, The Country of "The Angelus" by Padraic Colum, England Is like This, by Fred C. Kelly, and Books for Bon Voyage by Donald Douglas.
1932-11 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 10. No. 3 for November 1932. Photographs Include Wedding Processional in Budapest; Statute of Cupid in Nuremberg; Choir from Bavaria in Costume; Marching Band in Florence; Parade in Berlin - Unter Den Linden; Katharine Cornell on the Ss Bremen. Articles Include Frontispiece: Glance over Egypt, Transatlantica, Cupid in Nuremberg, Notes Found on an Old Cuff by Russel Crouse, near East Lady by Claudia Cranston, Slow Boat, by Alison Smith, What I like About Berlin by Charles G. Shaw, Katharine Cornell, and Books for Bon Voyage by Donald Douglas.
1932-12 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas, Vol. 10, No. 4 for December 1932. Photographs include: The Sphinx at Memphis Egypt; Boats on the Canal in Venice; Women in Costume in a Horse-Drawn Wagon in Bavaria; Paris Night Scene from Sacre Coeur; Midnight Supper in Paris; Trumpeter of the Guards in London; The Horses of St. Mark's in Venice; Young couple enjoying a Ski Luncheon in Tyrol; Young Woman skiing Under the Midnight Sun in Sweden; Cross-Country Skier in Voralberg; Cross-Country Skiers - Dreiländerspitz; Wine Pedler in Werder (Woman inside a large keg); View of the Crows Nest on the SS Bremen; Dejeuner in a Paris Café; J. P. Morgan on the S. S. Europa; Captain Ziegenbein with Miss Wera Engels on the SS Bremen.
1933-04 The Seven Seas Magazine, North German Lloyd
The Seven Seas Magazine for April 1933, Photographs included Trafalgar Square 1910 and 1933, Fruit Maidens of Rome, Flower Girls of Grasse, Café on the Havel, Fair Day at Guipavas, Ladies of Brittany, Chartres, and an advertisement from Saks Fifth Avenue featuring a woman wear the latest in Suits - Seraceta - Strands of Fashion. Many articles were unrelated to maritime.
1935-04 The Seven Seas Magazine
Volume 14, No. 4, April 1935 issue of the Seven Seas, published quarterly by Hamburg America Line and North German Lloyd in New York featured articles on the Baroque Garden by Helen Appleton Read, Moslem Metropolis by Stoyan Christowe and two location articles on Salisbury and Baden ~ Baden. Lavishly illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. 32 Pages plus Covers.
1936 Winter - The Seven Seas Magazine
Winter 1936 Issue of the Seven Seas, Published Jointly by the Hamburg America Line and North German Lloyd. Featured Articles Included: Marburg on the Lahn, the Epitome of the Concept Mittelalterlich and the Seat of the First Lutheran University Founded by Philip the Magnanimous Landgraf of Hesse in 1523 by Helen Appleton Read, Roman Holiday by Charles G. Shaw and the City of Gay Night -- Budapest, Hungary by William B. Powell.
The Shipbuilder / Marine Engine Builder
The Shipbuilder Monthly was one of the most authoritative and respected publications in the maritime industry during the early 20th century. It provided in-depth technical insights, ship construction reports, and engineering advancements, catering to shipbuilders, naval architects, engineers, historians, and maritime enthusiasts.
1914-07 The Shipbuilder Monthly
The July 1914 Issue of the Shipbuilder Monthly featured Illustrations included Eight-Cylinder De Dion Bouton - White & Company, Cunard RMS Mauretania.
Photographs included: H.M.B.C. Princess Royal, H.M.S. Queen Mary at sea, Chinese Cruiser Ying Swei, SS Horwick Hall, SS Visegrád,
Mr. Grant Barclay, MINA (Includes his Signature), SS Alcantara, The Norwegian Battleship Nidaros, SS San Fraterno. Major Articles included Canadian Dredgers, Modern Steam Colliers, Royal Dockyards, New Professor of Naval Architecture at the University of Liverpool.
The Shipbuilder & Marine Engine Builder - March 1932
The March 1932 issue of The Shipbuilder offers primarily technical orientated articles on engine and shipbuilding. Featured articles included Limitation of Passenger-Liner Construction -- noteworthy for its assessment of the fundamental change in passenger traffic.
Souvenir Number - SS Normandie - June 1935
The Owners of the "Normandie"; The Builders of the "Normandie"; Extension of Port Facilities; The Design—General and Structural; The Building of the Hull; The Launch and Completion of the Ship, Construction of the Cradle General Equipment; Main Propelling Machinery; Auxiliary Electric-Generating Plant;
Condenser Equipment and Feed Circuits; Steam-generating Installation; General Auxiliary Machinery; Auxiliary Electrical Services; Passengers', Officers' and Crew's Accommodation; Passenger Services; Protection against Fire; The Trial Trip and Maiden Voyage of the "Normandie"; Hundreds of Photos, Illustrations, Schematics, and More.
Other Maritime Publications
The Sailors Magazine and Seamen's Friend
The Sailors' Magazine and Seamen’s Friend was a Christian maritime publication that served as both a spiritual and practical resource for sailors and those involved in maritime industries. Published by the American Seamen’s Friend Society (ASFS), this periodical was dedicated to ministering to seafarers, advocating for their well-being, and reporting on missionary and humanitarian efforts aimed at improving the lives of sailors.
1893-09 The Sailors' Magazine and Seamen's Friend
The September 1893 Issue of The Sailors' Magazine and Seamen's Friend Featured Stories included A Race for Life, The Ship of State, There Go the Ships, Ode to a Modern Ship, and A Wreck at Sconset. The magazine is a monthly publication of thirty-two pages to present a general view of the history, nature, progress and wants of the SEAMEN'S CAUSE, and commend it to the sympathies, the prayers and the benefactions of the community.
The Hamburg-American Gazette
The Hamburg-American Gazette, published in the early 20th century by the Hamburg-America Line (HAPAG), was a prominent periodical that provided news, travel information, ship updates, and promotional content related to the company’s extensive global operations.
As one of the leading German shipping lines, HAPAG was at the forefront of luxury ocean travel and transatlantic immigration, and its publication reflected this status by serving passengers, maritime professionals, and travel enthusiasts.
1910-05 Hamburg-American Gazette
The May 1910 issue of the Hamburg-American Gazette featured "Tourists Return from South America: Remarkable Success of the SS Bluecher's Cruise to the Straits of Magellan," "The SS Cincinnati Returns from Orient Cruise," and "Each Succeeding Season These Cruises are Coming More and More Into Favor With the American Traveling Pubic." Many photographs including The Hamburg-American Piers at Hoboken (New York), USA, Dining Room of the SS Prinz Joachim, Showing New Arrangement of Small Tables on "Prinz" Steamers of the Atlas Service, Pier at Montevideo, Uruguay, and Captain Schülke of SS Cincinnati.
Ocean: Magazine of Travel
Ocean: Magazine of Travel was a premier luxury travel and maritime publication from the late 19th century, catering to an elite audience of ocean travelers, steamship passengers, and maritime enthusiasts. The magazine served as both a travel guide and cultural journal, offering a sophisticated blend of travel narratives, ship reviews, industry news, and high-society insights for those embarking on transatlantic and international voyages.
This period marked the golden age of ocean travel, when steamship lines such as the Cunard Line, White Star Line, North German Lloyd, and Hamburg America Line competed to provide unparalleled comfort and prestige to their passengers. Ocean: Magazine of Travel captured the romance, adventure, and luxury of long-distance sea voyages, making it an essential read for affluent travelers, travel agents, and steamship companies.
1889-09 Ocean: Magazine of Travel by John H. Gould
September 1889 issue of Ocean: Magazine of Travel, John H. Gould, Publisher, Vol. III, No. 2. Photographs and Illustrations included: Captain Henry Parsell, R.N.R., Commander of the White Star Line SS Teutonic plus other photos of the Teutonic: On The Promenade Deck; Grand Staircase; The Library; The Main Saloon; In the Main Saloon; The Smoking Saloon; A Stateroom.
L'Atlantique – Daily Newspaper of the French Line
L'Atlantique was the official onboard daily newspaper of the French Line (Compagnie Générale Transatlantique – CGT), providing passengers with real-time updates, shipboard news, and entertainment during transatlantic voyages. It was printed daily aboard French Line ocean liners, such as the SS Normandie, SS Ile de France, and SS France, ensuring travelers remained connected to world events and shipboard activities while at sea.
As one of the earliest examples of shipboard journalism, L'Atlantique reflected the sophistication, elegance, and cosmopolitan culture of the French Line’s voyages, catering primarily to first-class and second-class passengers who enjoyed an atmosphere of refinement and intellectual engagement.
1939-07-14 L'Atlantique - Daily Newspaper of the French Line
The 14 July 1939 Issue of L'Atlantique offers 16 pages of general interest news for the passengers of the SS Normandie, commanded by Captain E. Payen de la Garanderie. Featured articles include Britain Orders Navy to Near War Strength, 75 Années de Relations Transatlantiques, Monsieur Jean Marie, Président de la Compagnie Génerale Transatlantique, Joan of Arc Castle Being Excavated, Le Faubourg St Honoré Shopping and Tour Guide, Deauville - La Plage Fleurie.
1939-07-16 L'Atlantique - Daily Newspaper of the French Line
The 16 July 1939 Issue of L'Atlantique offers 16 pages of general interest news for the passengers of the SS Normandie, commanded by Captain E. Payen de la Garanderie. Featured articles include WPA Strike Crisis Continues, Principal Events for August in France, Ships News, and French Poets of the Mediterranean. In English and French.
Articles
The Print-Shop on the Sea - 1906
While many warships publish papers at sea mainly relating to official duties, they are scarcely regarded as newspapers, and it remained for the Cunard Steamship Company to inaugurate the first daily newspaper ever printed on board ship.
Recap & Summary of Ship Publications
The history of shipboard publications reflects the evolution of maritime journalism, providing passengers with daily news, entertainment, and cultural insights while at sea. These publications—ranging from onboard daily newspapers to high-end travel magazines—were integral to life aboard ocean liners, ensuring passengers remained informed, engaged, and entertained during their voyages.
The early 1900s saw the emergence of shipboard newspapers, pioneered by Cunard, Norddeutscher Lloyd, Hamburg-America Line, and the French Line. These publications ranged from daily bulletins with wireless news updates to luxury travel magazines showcasing international destinations and onboard lifestyles.
This section highlights some of the most fascinating and historically significant shipboard publications, demonstrating how they shaped passenger experiences and maritime culture.
1. The Evolution of Shipboard Newspapers
Cunard Daily Bulletin (1903-1930s)
One of the earliest onboard newspapers, the Cunard Daily Bulletin was first published on February 7, 1903, aboard the RMS Etruria. Initially a small publication edited by the ship’s purser, it evolved into a comprehensive daily newspaper featuring:
- Marconigrams (wireless news updates)
- Passenger lists and ship logs
- Weather forecasts and distance traveled
- Short stories and advertisements
Special annual editions, like the Fashion & Pleasure Resort Supplement, catered to passengers interested in luxury destinations and high-society travel trends.
North German Lloyd Bulletin (Early 1900s)
The North German Lloyd Bulletin, published by Norddeutscher Lloyd (NGL), combined daily shipboard updates with detailed travel features. Its issues often included:
- International and maritime news
- Cultural articles on European cities
- Passenger services and ship event schedules
Notably, the December 1911 issue focused on Swiss winter sports, reflecting the elite travel preferences of its readership.
L'Atlantique – Daily Newspaper of the French Line (1930s)
The French Line’s L'Atlantique was a refined, bilingual daily publication on liners like SS Normandie and SS Ile de France. Its features included:
- Global news updates via wireless transmission
- Fashion, culture, and high society reports
- Shipboard event schedules and dining updates
It was a luxury publication catering to first-class and second-class passengers, emphasizing the sophisticated and cosmopolitan atmosphere aboard French ocean liners.
2. Luxury Travel Magazines for Elite Passengers
The Cunarder Travel Magazine (1920s-1930s)
Published by Cunard Line, The Cunarder was a high-end travel magazine designed to inspire international exploration. It featured:
- Exquisite photography of global destinations
- Travel essays by renowned authors
- Women's fashion trends for ocean travelers
- Exclusive interviews with ship officers and celebrities
Special themed issues focused on Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and the West Indies, providing cultural insights and travel tips for passengers.
The Seven Seas Magazine (1930s) – HAPAG Lloyd
Produced by Hamburg-America Line and North German Lloyd, The Seven Seas Magazine targeted affluent travelers, business elites, and cultural enthusiasts. Key features included:
- Elegant travel narratives on European and exotic destinations
- Luxury cruise experiences aboard famous German liners
- Candid photographs of VIP passengers, including Hollywood celebrities
Ocean: Magazine of Travel (1889-1890s)
Ocean: Magazine of Travel was an early travel journal from the late 19th century, celebrating the romance of long-distance sea voyages. This publication provided:
- Articles on transatlantic voyages and ship reviews
- High-society travel stories and passenger experiences
- Spotlight features on leading steamship companies like Cunard and White Star Line
3. Industry & Technical Journals for Maritime Enthusiasts
The Shipbuilder & Marine Engine Builder (Early 1900s)
One of the most respected maritime industry journals, The Shipbuilder covered:
- Ship construction and naval architecture
- Engineering advancements in marine propulsion
- Technical blueprints and ship schematics
The June 1935 edition was a special issue dedicated to the SS Normandie, showcasing the ship’s revolutionary design and technological innovations.
4. Religious & Cultural Shipboard Publications
The Sailors' Magazine and Seamen's Friend (1800s-1900s)
A Christian maritime publication, The Sailors' Magazine was produced by the American Seamen’s Friend Society. It focused on:
- Seafarers’ rights and religious guidance
- Missionary efforts in port cities
- Nautical poetry and inspirational stories
This magazine was widely distributed among sailors, missionaries, and maritime communities, offering both spiritual comfort and practical support.
The Hamburg-American Gazette (Early 1900s)
Published by the Hamburg-America Line (HAPAG), this German-language periodical promoted:
- Luxury cruise experiences aboard HAPAG liners
- Passenger testimonials and travelogues
- Detailed itineraries for South American and European cruises
Notably, its May 1910 issue documented the success of the SS Bluecher's South American voyage, capturing the excitement of early luxury cruising.
Why These Publications Matter for Historians, Genealogists & Enthusiasts
Shipboard publications are valuable historical artifacts that provide unique insights into maritime history. They are particularly useful for:
- Genealogists researching ancestors who traveled by sea
- Historians studying maritime culture, ship technology, and immigration
- Maritime enthusiasts interested in ocean liner experiences and shipbuilding
Each newspaper and magazine reveals a fascinating glimpse into daily life aboard some of history’s most iconic ocean liners, from passenger experiences to technological milestones.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Maritime Journalism
The collection of shipboard publications from the 1880s through the 1930s reflects the golden age of ocean travel, when ocean liners were not just transportation but floating cities filled with news, entertainment, and culture.
From the first Cunard Daily Bulletin in 1903 to the sophisticated travel magazines of the 1930s, these publications brought the world closer together, connecting passengers to international news, luxury travel, and the romance of the high seas.
For those fascinated by maritime history, transatlantic voyages, and early journalism, these newspapers and magazines serve as irreplaceable windows into the past.
