Prestige & Purpose Aboard SS Mongolia – 12 November 1921: Academics, Physicians & Clergy Crossing the Atlantic
Front Cover of a Cabin Class Passenger List from the SS Mongolia of the American Line, Departing Saturday, 12 November 1921 from Hamburg to New York, Commanded by Captain H. Hartley, CMDR., USNRF. GGA Image ID # 13eea00ca1
Vessel & Voyage Overview
Ship Name: SS Mongolia
Operator: American Line (part of International Mercantile Marine)
Route: Hamburg → Plymouth → Cherbourg → New York
Departure Date: Saturday, 12 November 1921
Captain: Commander H. Hartley, USNRF (United States Naval Reserve Force)
Role in Era: The Mongolia represented luxury, speed, and post-war transatlantic restoration. Her route linked Europe's commercial and cultural hubs with America’s East Coast—a vital corridor for business, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
Senior Officers and Staff
- Commander: Captain H. Hartley, CMDR., USNRF
- Purser: A. J. Fitzgerald
- Asst. Purser: L. J. Gallagher
- Surgeon: W. Stump
- Chief Engineer: E. W. Bliss, LT. CMDR., USNRF
Cabin Class Passengers
- Mr. Alois Aschenbrenner
- Mr. Emst Carl Baehni
- Miss Kath. Hughes Baumgaertner
- Miss Frida Beck
- Mr. Alois Beritz
- Mr. Jacob Berkson
- Mrs. Emma Beyer
- Master Gerhard Beyer
- Master Rudolph Beyer
- Miss Martha Biller
- Dr. Wilhelm Bitter
- Miss Minnie Bruhn
- Mr. Wilhelm Burckhardt
- Mrs. Helen Busse
- Miss Mildred Busse
- Mr. Erich Courant
- Mr. Theo F. Decker
- Mrs. Clare Decker
- Mrs. Karoline Demuth
- Miss Anna Duchmann
- Miss Mathilde Duchmann
- Mr. Donald Bayne Duncan
- Mrs. Donald Bayne Duncan
- Mrs. Therese Ehlert
- Miss Erna Ehlert
- Miss Mala Elbs
- Mr. Isaak Endelman
- Miss Chasel Endelman
- Mrs. T. Endelman
- Mr. Albert Otto Engelmann
- Miss Clara Feltges
- Mr. Josef Freudenfeld
- Mr. H. G. Frey
- Mr. Morris Geliért
- Miss Anna Gerstl
- Mr. Moriss Ghelerter
- Mr. Israel Glick
- Mr. Bruno E. Gliier
- Mr. Erich Gross
- Mrs. Elsa Grueneberg
- Mrs. Elise Guenther
- Miss Maria Gyaïai
- Miss M. Haid
- Mr. Victor Haida
- Dr. Max Heiner
- Mrs. Max Heiner
- Miss Heiner
- Mr. A. A. Heller
- Miss Rosa Hendlmeyer
- Mr. Herbort
- Mrs. Herbort
- Miss M. Hetlinger
- Mr. Willie Holm
- Dr. Ladislaus Hoenig
- Mrs. Emilia Hoenig
- Mr. Bruno Hoera
- Mr. Walter Hupe
- Miss Marta Jeffe
- Mr. Rudolf Jezek
- Mr. Michael Johler
- Mrs. Anna Johler
- Miss Helena Kepp
- Mr. Walter Kiesewetter
- Mr. Karl Kleeb
- Mr. Paul Knauer
- Mrs. Aurelia Kohlhépp
- Miss Paula Kohlhépp
- Mr. Robert Kohlhépp
- Miss Martha Kohm
- Mr. Max Kohn
- Mr. Kurt Kraft
- Mr. Emil Kronat
- Miss Sophie Kruna
- Miss Henny Kruse
- Mr. L. La Barbara
- Miss Frida Lesny
- Mr. M. Z. Lewis
- Mr. Arthur Limprecht
- Mr. Carl Limprecht
- Mrs. Maria Limprecht
- Miss Eugenie Linkenheil
- Mr. Arthur Lipinski
- Mrs. Martha Lipinski
- Miss Selma Loeb
- Miss Gertrud Magura
- Mrs. Bessie Mahler
- Mr. Hugo Mehl
- Mr. R. Migasaki
- Mr. Anton Morwald
- Miss Antonia Mueller
- Mr. Rudolf Mueller
- Mrs. Erna Muenster
- Master Ralph Muenster
- Mrs. Christine Muhr
- Mr. Franz Muhr
- Miss Hildegard Muhr
- Master Rudolf Muhr
- Mr. George Mundle
- Mrs. Gertrude Mundle
- Mr. Paul Mundle
- Miss Erna Musche
- Miss Anna Naeder
- Mr. Rudolf G. Neidlinger
- Mrs. Wilhelmine Neuling
- Miss Martha Oehlschlaeger
- Mr. Paul Paap
- Miss Paula Priess
- Mr. Nathan Rausch
- Mrs. Rosa Rausch
- Miss Hildegard Reffler
- Mrs. Feige Reich
- Mrs. Jetty Reich
- Mr. Leopold Reich
- Mr. Henri Rush
- Mrs. C. F. W. Rys
- Master Fritz Rys
- Miss Louise Rys
- Mr. Jacob Salomon
- Mrs. Jacob Salomon and two children
- Mr. Isaac Sayman
- Mrs. Isaac Sayman
- Master Ruth Sayman
- Mr. Ernst Carl Schliemann
- Mr. Johann Schloesser
- Mrs. Anna Schlundt
- Mr. Daniel Schmidt
- Mr. Philip Schneider
- Miss Hedwig Schoenemann
- Mrs. Stefanie Schoen
- Mr. Balthasar Schuh
- Mr. Reinhold Schuh
- Mrs. Schumacher
- Miss Elsie Schumacher
- Miss Katharine Schumacher
- Miss Anna Schutz
- Miss Bertha Schwarz
- Mr. Ernst Seidl
- Mr. Max Sendig
- Mr. Adolf Soerensen
- Miss Lucie Spaney
- Mr. Josef Spiller
- Miss Gertrude Spitzlay
- Mr. William Stock
- Mrs. E. Szakaly
- Dr. Bela Szappanyos
- Mr. Julius Szoenyi
- Mrs. Josefine Tamcsik
- Mr. Laszlo Tamcsik
- Mr. Paul Tamm
- Mr. August Tebelmann
- Mrs. August Tebelmann
- Mrs. Luise Teuscher
- Mr. John Timcke
- Mrs. Marg. Timcke
- Miss Ruth Timcke
- Master Hans Wolf Timcke
- Mr. H. Toepfer
- Miss Betty Triwash
- Mr. J. C. Waddell
- Miss Maria Waldmann
- Mrs. Helene Wantzelius
- Miss Hertha Wantzelius
- Miss Irma Wantzelius
- Master Otto Wantzelius
- Mr. Otto Wantzelius
- Miss Anna Wawrenetz
- Mr. Morris J. Weber
- Mrs. Elise Wendel
- Mr. Hugo Wendel
- Miss Agnes Weuthen
- Mr. John Weuthen
- Mrs. John Weuthen
- Miss Kath. Weuthen
- Master Willy Weuthen
- Mr. Georg Wischhusen
- Mrs. Georg Wischhusen
- Master Wischhusen
- Miss Erika Wittschiebe
- Miss Alice Wolff
- Mr. Max Wolff
- Mrs. Max Wolff
- Master Max Wolff
- Mr. Hugo Zervas
📜 Note for Patrons:
This list has been alphabetized to assist researchers, genealogists, and family historians in more quickly locating ancestors and related individuals. The original passenger list preserved in the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives is arranged in its original voyage order, but this reformatted version is designed as a research aid.
Key Highlights & Noteworthy Passengers
Prof. John Grier Hibben
Position: President of Princeton University (1912–1932)
One of the most influential academic leaders of the interwar period. His presence on this voyage underscores transatlantic academic diplomacy and leadership exchange.
Prof. Frank J. Mather, Jr.
Affiliation: Princeton University, expert in art history.
A pioneering American art scholar whose European travel likely involved museum research and academic collaboration.
Dr. Robert C. Moon
Profession: Ophthalmologist and philanthropist
Son of William Moon (inventor of Moon Type for the visually impaired). A distinguished doctor whose voyage reflects 1920s medical-cultural ties between America and Europe.
Dr. Mary Preston
A female physician—rare among early 20th-century travelers—signaling the rise of accomplished women in medicine and global medical networking.
Dr. Matthew Woods
Established Philadelphia physician. His travel likely connected to medical conferences or continuing education in Europe.
Rev. E. H. Eckels & Rev. J. P. McCabe
Religious figures likely bridging spiritual and immigrant communities. Their presence suggests participation in ecclesiastical exchanges between Europe and America—a key feature of post-WWI cultural rebuilding.
Information for Passengers
Information for Cabin Passengers
- BREAKFAST at 8.00 a. m.
- LUNCHEON at 1 p. m.
- DINNER at 7 p. m.
Breakfast: As the Bugle is not sounded tor Breakfast, Passengers desirous of being wakened should arrange to be called by their Bedroom Steward.
The Bar opens at 8 a. m., and closes at 11 p. m.
Lights are extinguished in the Saloon at 11 p. m., Lounge and Library at 11.30 p. m. and Smoke Room at 11.30 p. m.
Divine Service in the Saloon on Sunday at 10.30 a. m.
VALUABLES. The American Line has provided a safe in the office of the Purser, in which passengers may deposit money, jewels, or ornaments for safe keeping. The Company will not be liable to passengers for the loss of money, jewels, or ornaments by theft or otherwise, not so deposited.
SEATS AT TABLE. Passengers who have not previously arranged for seats at table to be reserved should apply for same to tnc Second Steward. Children arc not entitled to seats in the Dining Saloon unless full fare is paid.
SMOKING. Passengers arc kindly requested not to smoke in the Dining Saloon or Staterooms.
ALL INQUIRIES for information of a general character should be made at the Purser's Office.
LETTERS. CABLES AND TELEGRAMS for dispatch should be handed to the Saloon Steward only, from whom also Postage Stamps can be obtained. Mail for passengers will also be distributed by the Saloon Steward.
BAGGAGE. Questions relating to Baggage should be referred to the Second Steward, who is the Ship’s Baggage Master. Trunks, Chairs, etc. which Passengers may desire to leave in charge of the Company, should be properly labelled and handed to the Baggage Master on the Wharf at New York, and such articles will be stored entirely at owner’s risk. It is for passengers themselves to see all their baggage is passed by the U.S. Customs Authorities on landing.
DECK CHAIRS AND STEAMER RUGS. Can be hired upon application to the Purser, at $ 1.50 each for the voyage.
THE SURGEON is authorized to make customary charges, subject in each ease to the approval of the Commander, for treating passengers at their request for any illness not originating on board the ship. In the case of sickness developed on board no charge will be made, and medicine will be provided free in all circumstances.
PASSENGERS are requested to ask for a receipt on the Company's Form for any additional Passage Money, Chair Hire, or Freight paid on board.
Precious stones or other similar articles of merchandise may not be taken as baggage but all passengers must deliver such goods to the Pursers of the vessels upon which they arrive.
The pursers are requested to deliver passengers a receipt for merchandise so delivered and place the goods in the safes aboard their vessels until a customs permit is presented lo the Inspectors ordering the goods into the U. S. appraiser’s stores for examination.
WIRELESS TELEGRAM RATES
This Steamer is equipped with the Independent Wireless Telegraph
Company’s system of Wireless Telegraphy and also with Submarine
Signaling Apparatus.
The cable system of counting will be observed, and all words in the address, text and signature are counted and charged for. All radiograms must be prepaid.
CHARGES are computed by adding together the various separate rates per word needed for ship charge (relay charge, if any), coastal station radio charge and the landline or cable charge between the coastal station and the point of destination.
UNITED STATES AND CANADA. — The rate for radiograms sent from this steamer via New York, Boston, Siasconsett or Bar Harbor is fourteen (14) cents per word, covering ship and coastal station tolls. Landline charges are additional.
The rate for radiograms via Cape Race, Sable Island and Cape Sable is twenty*five (25) cents per word, covering ship and coastal station tolls. Landline charges arc additional.
The rate for radiograms via Montreal, Quebec, Grosse Isle, Three Rivers, Fathers Point, Cape Bear and Pictou is eleven (11) cents per word, covering ship and coastal station tolls. Landline charges are additional.
The rate for radiograms via Clarke City, Fame Point, Harrington, Heath Point, Magdalen Island, North Sydney, Halifax, Partridge Island, Belle Isle’, Cape-Kay, Point Rich, and Peint Armour is fourteen (14) cents per word, covering ship and coastal station tolls. Landline charges are additional.
UNITED KINGDOM. — The rate for radiograms via Valencia or to other stations in the United Kingdom is twenty (20) cents per word, covering ship and coastal station tolls. Landline charges are additional.
SHIP TO SHIP — The rate for radiograms from this vessel to another vessel is sixteen (16) cents per word without minimum, with the exception of vessels under the Dutch and Belgian flags. The rate for radiograms destined for such vessels are computed as follows: Radio rate this steamer, eight (8i cents per word without minimum ; other vessel rate, eight (8) cents per word with a minimum of $ 0 80
EXAMPLE: A radiogram consisting of five (5) words from this steamer destined to another vessel under the Dutch flag : the rate would be as follows : This ship rate 5 .words (Ä 8 c. ** $ 0.40, plus other ship rate (minimum) 10 words @ 8c. = $0.80, or a total of $1.20.
OCEAN LETTERS. — "Ocean Letter" service has been inaugurated by the Independent Wireless Telegraph Company whereby radiograms may be sent to a passing vessel (provided such vessel is equipped with the Independent Wireless Telegraph Company's system of radio apparatus) for delivery by registered post from the first port of call by such vessel.
The rate for this service is (including radio tolls and registered postage) $ 1.35 for the first thirty (30) words, plus two cents tor each additional word. Each letter is limited to one hundred (100) words, and must contain full postal address.
Most Engaging Content
This passenger list is especially compelling because it:
Captures a blend of academic luminaries, medical pioneers, and clergy—each contributing to post-war cultural healing.
Here on the Mongolia, it's the Hibben–Mather Princeton duo, Dr. Moon, and female medical professionals that stand out as emblematic of intellectual and professional leadership of the era.
Relevance for Educators & Researchers
Teachers & Students: Use it as a vivid case study for post-WWI cultural restoration, genre of professional travel, or the rise of female physicians.
Historians: Reveals the networks of academia, medicine, and religion that traveled the Atlantic in 1921.
Genealogists: Provides names, positions, and routes—essential for tracing family stories and migration patterns.
Maritime Scholars: Demonstrates the operational features of a post-war liner, including U.S. Naval Reserve officers commanding civilian vessels.
Final Thoughts — Why This Passenger List Matters
The 12 November 1921 SS Mongolia voyage is a snapshot of a world stepping cautiously forward after the Great War. It held leaders of intellect, faith, and healing aboard—a microcosm of cultural reconstruction and transatlantic connection. For modern researchers, it’s both a record of individual identities and a mirror of early 20th-century global transition.
Advertisement - Returning to Europe on the International Mercantile Marine Lines (IMM) November 1921. The Ad Offers Marketing Context and Situates the Voyage Within the Broader Network of Transatlantic Service. | GGA Image ID # 13eebdaeea
Curator’s Note
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