Prestige & Purpose Aboard SS Mongolia – 12 November 1921: Academics, Physicians & Clergy Crossing the Atlantic

 

Front Cover, American Line SS Mongolia Cabin Class Passenger List - 12 November 1921.

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

  1. Mr. Alois Aschenbrenner
  2. Mr. Emst Carl Baehni
  3. Miss Kath. Hughes Baumgaertner
  4. Miss Frida Beck
  5. Mr. Alois Beritz
  6. Mr. Jacob Berkson
  7. Mrs. Emma Beyer
  8. Master Gerhard Beyer
  9. Master Rudolph Beyer
  10. Miss Martha Biller
  11. Dr. Wilhelm Bitter
  12. Miss Minnie Bruhn
  13. Mr. Wilhelm Burckhardt
  14. Mrs. Helen Busse
  15. Miss Mildred Busse
  16. Mr. Erich Courant
  17. Mr. Theo F. Decker
  18. Mrs. Clare Decker
  19. Mrs. Karoline Demuth
  20. Miss Anna Duchmann
  21. Miss Mathilde Duchmann
  22. Mr. Donald Bayne Duncan
  23. Mrs. Donald Bayne Duncan
  24. Mrs. Therese Ehlert
  25. Miss Erna Ehlert
  26. Miss Mala Elbs
  27. Mr. Isaak Endelman
  28. Miss Chasel Endelman
  29. Mrs. T. Endelman
  30. Mr. Albert Otto Engelmann
  31. Miss Clara Feltges
  32. Mr. Josef Freudenfeld
  33. Mr. H. G. Frey
  34. Mr. Morris Geliért
  35. Miss Anna Gerstl
  36. Mr. Moriss Ghelerter
  37. Mr. Israel Glick
  38. Mr. Bruno E. Gliier
  39. Mr. Erich Gross
  40. Mrs. Elsa Grueneberg
  41. Mrs. Elise Guenther
  42. Miss Maria Gyaïai
  43. Miss M. Haid
  44. Mr. Victor Haida
  45. Dr. Max Heiner
  46. Mrs. Max Heiner
  47. Miss Heiner
  48. Mr. A. A. Heller
  49. Miss Rosa Hendlmeyer
  50. Mr. Herbort
  51. Mrs. Herbort
  52. Miss M. Hetlinger
  53. Mr. Willie Holm
  54. Dr. Ladislaus Hoenig
  55. Mrs. Emilia Hoenig
  56. Mr. Bruno Hoera
  57. Mr. Walter Hupe
  58. Miss Marta Jeffe
  59. Mr. Rudolf Jezek
  60. Mr. Michael Johler
  61. Mrs. Anna Johler
  62. Miss Helena Kepp
  63. Mr. Walter Kiesewetter
  64. Mr. Karl Kleeb
  65. Mr. Paul Knauer
  66. Mrs. Aurelia Kohlhépp
  67. Miss Paula Kohlhépp
  68. Mr. Robert Kohlhépp
  69. Miss Martha Kohm
  70. Mr. Max Kohn
  71. Mr. Kurt Kraft
  72. Mr. Emil Kronat
  73. Miss Sophie Kruna
  74. Miss Henny Kruse
  75. Mr. L. La Barbara
  76. Miss Frida Lesny
  77. Mr. M. Z. Lewis
  78. Mr. Arthur Limprecht
  79. Mr. Carl Limprecht
  80. Mrs. Maria Limprecht
  81. Miss Eugenie Linkenheil
  82. Mr. Arthur Lipinski
  83. Mrs. Martha Lipinski
  84. Miss Selma Loeb
  85. Miss Gertrud Magura
  86. Mrs. Bessie Mahler
  87. Mr. Hugo Mehl
  88. Mr. R. Migasaki
  89. Mr. Anton Morwald
  90. Miss Antonia Mueller
  91. Mr. Rudolf Mueller
  92. Mrs. Erna Muenster
  93. Master Ralph Muenster
  94. Mrs. Christine Muhr
  95. Mr. Franz Muhr
  96. Miss Hildegard Muhr
  97. Master Rudolf Muhr
  98. Mr. George Mundle
  99. Mrs. Gertrude Mundle
  100. Mr. Paul Mundle
  101. Miss Erna Musche
  102. Miss Anna Naeder
  103. Mr. Rudolf G. Neidlinger
  104. Mrs. Wilhelmine Neuling
  105. Miss Martha Oehlschlaeger
  106. Mr. Paul Paap
  107. Miss Paula Priess
  108. Mr. Nathan Rausch
  109. Mrs. Rosa Rausch
  110. Miss Hildegard Reffler
  111. Mrs. Feige Reich
  112. Mrs. Jetty Reich
  113. Mr. Leopold Reich
  114. Mr. Henri Rush
  115. Mrs. C. F. W. Rys
  116. Master Fritz Rys
  117. Miss Louise Rys
  118. Mr. Jacob Salomon
  119. Mrs. Jacob Salomon and two children
  120. Mr. Isaac Sayman
  121. Mrs. Isaac Sayman
  122. Master Ruth Sayman
  123. Mr. Ernst Carl Schliemann
  124. Mr. Johann Schloesser
  125. Mrs. Anna Schlundt
  126. Mr. Daniel Schmidt
  127. Mr. Philip Schneider
  128. Miss Hedwig Schoenemann
  129. Mrs. Stefanie Schoen
  130. Mr. Balthasar Schuh
  131. Mr. Reinhold Schuh
  132. Mrs. Schumacher
  133. Miss Elsie Schumacher
  134. Miss Katharine Schumacher
  135. Miss Anna Schutz
  136. Miss Bertha Schwarz
  137. Mr. Ernst Seidl
  138. Mr. Max Sendig
  139. Mr. Adolf Soerensen
  140. Miss Lucie Spaney
  141. Mr. Josef Spiller
  142. Miss Gertrude Spitzlay
  143. Mr. William Stock
  144. Mrs. E. Szakaly
  145. Dr. Bela Szappanyos
  146. Mr. Julius Szoenyi
  147. Mrs. Josefine Tamcsik
  148. Mr. Laszlo Tamcsik
  149. Mr. Paul Tamm
  150. Mr. August Tebelmann
  151. Mrs. August Tebelmann
  152. Mrs. Luise Teuscher
  153. Mr. John Timcke
  154. Mrs. Marg. Timcke
  155. Miss Ruth Timcke
  156. Master Hans Wolf Timcke
  157. Mr. H. Toepfer
  158. Miss Betty Triwash
  159. Mr. J. C. Waddell
  160. Miss Maria Waldmann
  161. Mrs. Helene Wantzelius
  162. Miss Hertha Wantzelius
  163. Miss Irma Wantzelius
  164. Master Otto Wantzelius
  165. Mr. Otto Wantzelius
  166. Miss Anna Wawrenetz
  167. Mr. Morris J. Weber
  168. Mrs. Elise Wendel
  169. Mr. Hugo Wendel
  170. Miss Agnes Weuthen
  171. Mr. John Weuthen
  172. Mrs. John Weuthen
  173. Miss Kath. Weuthen
  174. Master Willy Weuthen
  175. Mr. Georg Wischhusen
  176. Mrs. Georg Wischhusen
  177. Master Wischhusen
  178. Miss Erika Wittschiebe
  179. Miss Alice Wolff
  180. Mr. Max Wolff
  181. Mrs. Max Wolff
  182. Master Max Wolff
  183. 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.

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

For over 25 years, I've been dedicated to a unique mission: tracking down, curating, preserving, scanning, and transcribing historical materials. These materials, carefully researched, organized, and enriched with context, live on here at the GG Archives. Each passenger list isn't just posted — it's a testament to our commitment to helping you see the people and stories behind the names.

It hasn't always been easy. In the early years, I wasn't sure the site would survive, and I often paid the hosting bills out of my own pocket. But I never built this site for the money — I built it because I love history and believe it's worth preserving. It's a labor of love that I've dedicated myself to, and I'm committed to keeping it going.

If you've found something here that helped your research, sparked a family story, or just made you smile, I'd love to hear about it. Your experiences and stories are the real reward for me. And if you'd like to help keep this labor of love going, there's a "Contribute to the Website" link tucked away on our About page.

📜 History is worth keeping. Thanks for visiting and keeping it alive with me.

Return to Top of Page

American Line Passenger List Collection - GG Archives

American Line Passenger Lists

American Line Ship Archival Collections

Other Related Sections

Passenger Lists

Search Our Ship Passenger Lists

Ocean Travel Topics A-Z