SS Athenia Archival Collection

S. S. LETITIA and S. S. ATHENIA, Both 13,500 Tons. GGA Image ID # 115f375cab

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• Athenia (1923) Donaldson Atlantic Line, Ltd.
• Passenger Lists
• Brochures
• Menus
• Sailing Schedules
• Excerpts from Information for Passengers
• Photographs
• Back Cover Images

 

Athenia (1923) Donaldson Atlantic Line, Ltd.

Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd., Glasgow. Tonnage: 13,465. Dimensions: 526'x 66'. Twin-screw, 15 1/2 knots. Two masts and one funnel. Sister ship: Letitia. Sinking: The SS Athenia was the first British ship sunk by Germany in World War II. The Athenia was torpedoed and sunk 200 miles west of the Hebrides without warning on the night of September 3, 1939 by the German submarine U-30 less than twelve hours after the declaration of war between Germany and Great Britain. She carried 1,417 passengers and crew bound for Montreal. 93 passengers and 19 crew members died.This passenger list is from a voyage one year prior to the sinking.

 

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Passenger Lists

 

 

1925-05-08 SS Athenia Passenger List

Cabin Passenger List for the TSS Athenia of the Anchor-Donaldson Line, Departing 8 May 1925 from Glasgow to Quebec and Montreal, Commanded by Captain James Black.

 

 

1938-09-02 SS Athenia Passenger List

Cabin and Tourist Passenger List for the SS Athenia of the Donaldson Atlantic Line, Departing 2 September 1938 from Glasgow to Quebec and Montreal via Belfast and Liverpool. Commanded by Captain James Cook.

 

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Brochures

 

 

Anchor-Donaldson Line Letitia and Athenia - 1926

Profusely illustrated brochure on the cabin class accommodations available on the SS Letitia and SS Athenia of the Anchor-Donaldson Line. Published during November 1926, this rare booklet documents the two sister ships with interior and exterior photographs.

 

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Menus

 

 

1930-08-21 RMS Athenia Dinner Menu Card

Vintage Tourist Third Cabin Dinner Bill of Fare Card from 21 August 1930 on board the RMS Athenia of the Anchor-Donaldson Line featured Boiled Salmon, Cucumber Tartare, Bouchées de Homard, and Plum Pudding-Brandy & Hard Sauce for dessert.

 

 

1930-08-23 RMS Athenia Dinner Menu Card

Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Saturday, 23 August 1930 on board the RMS Athenia of the Anchor-Donaldson Line featured Shoulder & Haunch of Mutton—Red Currant Jelly, Roast Duckling—Savory & Apple Sauce, and Bachelor Pudding for dessert.

 

 

1930-08-24 RMS Athenia Dinner Menu Card

Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Sunday, 24 August 1930 on board the RMS Athenia of the Anchor-Donaldson Line featured Prime Ribs & Sirloin of Beef — Yorkshire Pudding, Quarters of Lamb - Mint Sauce, and Plum Pudding-Brandy & Hard Sauce for dessert.

 

 

1930-08-29 RMS Athenia Breakfast Menu Card

Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from 29 August 1930 featured Arbroath Smokies, Broiled Weakfish, and Shirred Eggs and Roquefort.

 

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Sailing Schedules

 

Proposed Sailings, Liverpool-Quebec-Montreal, Liverpool-Halifax, Southampton-Quebec-Montreal, and Southampton-Halifax, from 17 April 1925 to 12 September 1925. Ships included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Lancastria, and Letitia. RMS Andania Passenger List, 6 May 1925. GGA Image ID # 1e1063298c

 

Cunard Line Canadian Service, Liverpool-Canadian Ports, or Southampton to Canadian Ports, from 7 August 1925 to 28 January 1926. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Laconia, and Letitia. RMS Alaunia Passenger List, 21 August 1925. GGA Image ID # 1dff527901

 

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Canadian Ports, from 11 November 1927 to 9 April 1928. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Ascania, Athenia, Ausonia, Carmania, Lancastria, Letitia, Samaria, Scythia, and Tuscania. RMS Aquitania Passenger List, 26 November 1927. GGA Image ID # 1e11e04456

 

Westbound Sailings of the White Star Line from 6 October 1934 to 2 February 1935. Ships Included the Alaunia, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Carinthia, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Lancastria, Laurentic, Letitia, Majestic, Olympic, Samaria, Scythia, and Transylvania. The Schedule Includes Originating, Calling, and Destination Ports for Each Voyage. RMS Britannic Passenger List, 6 October 1934. GGA Image ID # 1e3159e0ee

 

Eastbound Sailings of the White Star Line from 6 October 1934 to 14 February 1935. Ships Included the Alaunia, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Carinthia, Doric, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Lancastria, Laurentic, Letitia, Majestic, Olympic, Samaria, Scythia, and Transylvania. The Schedule Includes Originating, Calling, and Destination Ports for Each Voyage. RMS Britannic Passenger List, 6 October 1934. GGA Image ID # 1e3178f51a

 

Westbound Sailing Schedule, from Liverpool or Southampton to Boston, New York, Québec, or Montréal via Belfast, Cherbourg, Greenock, Galway, or Le Havre, from 24 July 1924 to 7 October 1924. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Carinthia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Samaria Passenger List, 24 July 1936. GGA Image ID # 1eccbb8952

 

Eastbound Sailing Schedule, from Boston, New York, Québec, or Montréal to Glasgow, Liverpool, London, or Soutampton via Belfast, Cherbourg, Cobh, Galway, Greenock, Le Havre, or Plymouth, from 24 July 1936 to 7 October 1936. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Carinthia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Samaria Passenger List, 24 July 1936. GGA Image ID # 1ecd389488

 

Cunard White Star Westbound Sailing Schedule for September to November 1937. Ships Include the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. GGA Image ID # 1db7e0cf97

 

Cunard White Star Eastbound Sailing Schedule for September to November 1937. Ships Include the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. GGA Image ID # 1db80746e8

 

Westbound Sailing Schedule from 7 June 1939 to 16 August 1939. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Ascania, Athenia, Aquitania, Aurania, Ausonia, Britannic, Carinthia, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Mauretania, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Aquitania Passenger List, 7 June 1939. GGA Image ID # 1e141a92c5

 

Eastbound Sailing Schedule from 7 June 1939 to 16 August 1939. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Britannic, Carinthia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Mauretania, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Aquitania Passenger List, 7 June 1939. GGA Image ID # 1e1424c50b

 

 

 

 

 

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Excerpts from Information for Passengers

 

Additional Passage Money or Freight paid on board—Passengers should obtain a receipt on the Company's form for such disbursements.

Baggage. — Enquiries regarding baggage on board ship should be addressed to the Purser.

Trunks, Wraps, etc., will be stored and re-shipped by the Company for the return voyage.

Complaints.—Complaints of incivility, carelessness or inattention on the part of any of the ship's staff should be immediately reported to the Chief Steward, or failing satisfaction, to the Purser.

Deck Chairs and Rugs may be hired for the voyage at the Company's offices or from the Deck Steward. Printed receipt to be obtained by Passengers for this hire.

Divine Service may be held in the Saloon (weather permitting) every Sunday at 10:30 am

Dogs.—Returning Passengers are notified that Dogs cannot be landed in Great Britain unless a licence has been procured from the Board of Agriculture, London. Forms of Licence can only be obtained by direct application to the Department before the dog is taken on board.

Dogs can only be carried by special arrangement being made with the Company prior to embarkation. Whilst on board they are not permitted in any of the public rooms or staterooms.

Drafts are issued, free of charge, payable in currency at any of the Offices of the Company in the United States and Canada, and, similarly, drafts are issued in the United States and Canada payable at any of the Company's Offices in the United Kingdom in sterling, or at the Company's Offices in Europe in the currency of the country on which they are drawn.

Library.— Library Books may be obtained on application to the Deck Steward.

Lights in Saloon until 10.30 pm; in public rooms until 11:00 pm The Bar closes at 11:00 pm

Lifebelts.—Lifebelts must not be removed from staterooms, except in cases of extreme danger and necessity.

Meals.—Breakfast, 8:00 am; Lunch, 1:00 pm; Dinner, 6:00 pm

When two sittings are necessary, meals will be served as follows :-

• Breakfast, First sitting, 8:00 am; Second sitting, 8.45 a.m
• Lunch, First sitting, 12.30 p.m,; Second sitting, 1:15:00 pm
• Dinner, First sitting, 6:00 pm; Second sitting, 7:00 pm

Meals cannot be served in cabins' or on deck unless with the Surgeon's permission.

Ports.--Passengers are requested not to open the ports. The Stewards will do this whenever practicable.

Railway Timetables may be consulted on application to the Music-Room Steward.

Smoking. — Smoking in saloons and staterooms is strictly prohibited. Children are not allowed in the Smokeroom. Cigarette smokers are requested to be careful when smoking on deck to see that cigarettes are extinguished before being thrown away.

Table Seating.—The Chief Steward has the arrangement of table seating.

Telegrams and Letters for despatch should be handed to the Purser, and must be fully prepaid.

Telegraph Forms and Postage Stamps can be had from the Purser.

The Surgeon is authorized to make customary charges, subject to the approval of the Captain, for treating Cabin Passengers at their request for any illness not originating on board the ship. In the case of sickness contracted on board no charge will be made and medicine will be provided free.

Tobacco, Spirits, Etc.—Tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, wines, spirits and perfumery are liable to duty on being brought into the United Kingdom, and the smallest quantities should be declared to the Customs authorities.

Copyright Books and Music are forbidden and will be confiscated by the Customs authorities.

Valuables.—Money or valuables should not be exposed in staterooms. The Company will not be responsible for articles lost or stolen. Valuables may be deposited in ship's safe, under care of the Purser, free of charge.

Passengers are warned that they should not on any account part with money or valuables to any persons representing them- selves as members of the ship's staff.

Wireless Telegraphy. — Wireless Telegraph messages should be handed to the Purser for transmission.

Source: TSS Athenia Passenger List - 8 May 1925

 

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Photographs

 

Cabin Entrance - Hall Lounge. GGA Image ID # 115f462b22

 

Cabin Bureau. GGA Image ID # 115f55fb9c

 

Cabin Class Drawing Room. GGA Image ID # 115fdda4bc

 

Cabin Class Lounge. GGA Image ID # 1160060d3d

 

Another View of the Cabin Class Lounge. GGA Image ID # 11602ff9c4

 

Cabin Class Smoking Room. GGA Image ID # 11608d3ec6

 

Another View of the Cabin Class Smoking Room. GGA Image ID # 1160cb2574

 

Cabin Class Verandah Café - SS Athenia. GGA Image ID # 1160fcca51

 

Cabin Class Nursery. GGA Image ID # 11612a97dc

 

Cabin Class Dining Saloon. GGA Image ID # 116173da5e

 

Cabin Class Suite. GGA Image ID # 1161a4c883

 

Cabin Class Two-Berth Stateroom. GGA Image ID # 1161ed9b4d

 

Cabin Class Four-Berth Stateroom. GGA Image ID # 1162c29bfc

 

Cabin Class Entrance Hall - View from Boat Deck. GGA Image ID # 11630075fb

 

Cabin Class Promenade and Sun Deck. GGA Image ID # 116374c748

 

View of the Boat Deck. GGA Image ID # 11637e6caf

 

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Back Cover Images

 

Back Cover of a Cabin Class Passenger List for an 8 May 1925 Voyage of the SS Athenia of the Anchor Donaldson Line. GGA Image ID # 15921d92c4

 

Back Cover, Anchor-Donaldson Line Brochure on the Steamships Letitia and Athenia - 1926. GGA Image ID # 117883b83a

 

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