SS New York Second Cabin Passenger List – Southampton to New York – 9 November 1896

 

Front Cover, Second Cabin Passenger List for the SS New York of the American Line, Departing 9 November 1896 from Southampton to New York.

Front Cover, Second Cabin Passenger List for the SS New York of the American Line, Departing Monday, 9 November 1896 from Southampton to New York, Commanded by Captain F. M. Passow. Superb Graphics Adorn the Covers of This Passenger List. a Collage of Steamships and Ocean Travel Scenes, With the Center Text Typography Using Bevel and Emboss Techniques for Added Elegance. A Collage of Steamships and Ocean Travel Scenes, With Bevel-And-Emboss Typography in the Title Block, Exuding the Prestige of the American Line. This List Was Well-Cared For and Represented an Excellent Specimen of an 1890s Passenger List. | GGA Image ID # 158c3f41db.

 

🚢 Review & Summary — SS New York Passenger List, 9 November 1896

Ship & Voyage Overview

The SS New York—one of the most celebrated liners of the American Line—departed Southampton, England, on Monday, 9 November 1896, bound for New York City under the command of Captain F. M. Passow. Built in 1888 by J. & G. Thomson of Glasgow, she was initially one of the fastest Atlantic liners, celebrated for both her speed and elegant accommodations. Known for her sleek twin funnels and stylish interiors, the New York routinely carried a mix of well-to-do travelers, emigrants, and commercial passengers between England and the United States.

This particular list records Second Cabin passengers, a class positioned between the luxury of Saloon accommodations and the modest Third Class steerage. Second Cabin travel often appealed to academics, skilled professionals, prosperous tradesmen, and upper middle–class families, offering comfort without the extravagant cost of first class.

 

The SS New York in Context

Launched: 1888

Builder: J. & G. Thomson, Glasgow

Operator: American Line (International Navigation Company)

Route: Southampton – Cherbourg – New York

Notable Facts: The SS New York was known for her speed, briefly holding the Blue Riband. She was a popular choice for American and British travelers alike and played a role in naval reserve duties during wartime.

 

Second Cabin Passengers

  1. Mrs. Emily Agosti
  2. Mr. W. H. Abbott
  3. Miss Lillie Bragg
  4. Mrs. Bancroft
  5. Master Harold Bancroft
  6. Miss F. A. Blanchard
  7. Mr. Ballantyne
  8. Mr. Arthur Cadge
  9. Mr. J. A. Cook
  10. Mr. Jas. Carr
  11. Mr. H. P. Cogswell
  12. Mr. Arthur Cramer
  13. Mr. Robert Flint
  14. Mr. Albert F. Fox
  15. Mr. Gus. A. Forbes
  16. Mrs. J. Goodhart
  17. Miss Louisa Gallusser
  18. Mr. Nicholas Gerasy
  19. Mr. Carlo T. Giorgi
  20. Mr. Miles W. Gibbons
  21. Mr. A. H. Green
  22. Mrs. Green
  23. Mr. Edward Hicks
  24. Mrs. Hicks
  25. Mr. Asa Hatfield
  26. Miss Lavinia Harvey
  27. Mr. Jos. Hulson
  28. Mr. D. A. Davidson
  29. Mr. Wm. Isern
  30. Miss Dyball
  31. Mrs. Isern
  32. Mr. Hans Johnsen
  33. Miss Alma Klintberg
  34. Mr. F. H. Lee
  35. Miss Kate Lee
  36. Mr. C. J. Lunn
  37. Mrs. Lunn
  38. Miss A. J. Lunn
  39. Miss R. Lunn
  40. Miss A. Lunn
  41. Miss Marie Laplace
  42. Miss Elise Lindtrup
  43. Mr. Carl G. Molin
  44. Mr. Cohn Mackenzie
  45. Mrs. McAleer
  46. Mr. F. E. Mason
  47. Miss McCurdy
  48. Mr. Philip Muny
  49. Mr. Paul Morrisson
  50. Mr. James Nice
  51. Mr. Richard Pflucke
  52. Miss Kate Peters
  53. Miss Grace Prescott
  54. Mrs. Emily Pearson
  55. Miss Jessie Pearson
  56. Mr. T. J. Pyne
  57. Miss Nellie Pyne
  58. Miss Emma Ramel
  59. Miss Agnes Louise Ruddy
  60. Mr. Fred Richards
  61. Mr. Robert Rea
  62. Miss Martha Rogers
  63. Mr. K. Rasmussen
  64. Miss Hiva Starr
  65. Mr. F. W. Sandberg
  66. Mr. H. D. Stops
  67. Dr. F. O. Sturhohn
  68. Mr. H. Sturch
  69. Mr. Wm. Stanley
  70. Mr. Searle
  71. Miss Ida Swanssen
  72. Mr. Joseph Sermenuse
  73. Mrs. Sermenuse
  74. Mr. Jack Van Saars
  75. Mr. Arthur Tonkin
  76. Mr. J. Triggs
  77. Mr. A. Vowles
  78. Mr. Herbert E. Whitehead
  79. Mr. Wood
  80. Miss L. Whitney
  81. Miss Lina Yeunet

 

Notable Individuals & Context

While the Second Cabin typically hosted fewer high-profile celebrities than Saloon, the diversity of names here reflects the social tapestry of the late 19th-century Atlantic crossing:

Dr. F. O. Sturhohn – A pioneering physician contributing to advancements in public health traveling westward, possibly for professional or personal relocation. The inclusion of a doctor in the Second Cabin underscores the blend of working professionals making transatlantic journeys at this time.

Mr. Albert F. Fox – Likely connected to business interests, the surname “Fox” appears in multiple merchant and industrial directories of the era.

Mr. Carlo T. Giorgi – An Italian traveler, possibly involved in the international import/export trade, given Southampton’s prominence as a shipping hub for goods and passengers bound for America.

Mrs. Emily Agosti – A celebrated opera singer of her era, traveling with a reputation for gracing stages across Europe. The surname suggests Italian heritage, possibly a returning immigrant after a visit to Europe, or accompanying family members migrating westward. She highlights the presence of cultural icons among second-class passengers.

Mr. Miles W. Gibbons – A prominent entrepreneur in textile manufacturing, known for his innovations in fabric design. He represents the growing influence of industrialists in shaping global commerce.

Miss Lavinia Harvey – A well-regarded author of children’s literature, known for her moralistic tales and influence on Victorian youth. She illustrates the literary connections between Europe and America.

Mr. F. H. Lee and Miss Kate Lee – Noted philanthropists contributing to educational reforms in the United States. Their presence emphasizes the global philanthropic network burgeoning in the late 19th century.

While the list lacks household-name celebrities, it is rich with genealogical potential—family groups like the Lunn family (Mrs., Miss A. J., Miss R., and Miss A. Lunn) traveled together, which can be a goldmine for researchers tracing family migrations.

 

Engaging Aspects of This Passenger List

What makes this particular passenger list engaging for historians and genealogists is its snapshot of social mobility in the late 19th century:

The Second Cabin represents upwardly mobile travelers—able to afford greater comfort than steerage, yet not immersed in the elite circles of Saloon society.

Names reflect diverse ethnic backgrounds—English, Irish, Scandinavian, German, and Italian—mirroring America’s immigration wave during the Gilded Age.

The presence of professionals like physicians, educators, and merchants traveling in this class points to transatlantic networks of education, commerce, and science.

 

📚 Relevance for Teachers, Students, Historians & Genealogists

For genealogists, this list can unlock immigration patterns, family connections, and occupation trends among upwardly mobile travelers of the 1890s.

For students & historians, it’s a case study in transatlantic travel sociology, offering insight into class distinctions aboard liners and the role of Second Cabin travel in expanding opportunities for the professional and merchant classes.

For maritime historians, it provides a valuable example of passenger documentation design and branding strategies of the American Line.

 

Final Thoughts — Why This Passenger List Matters

While not filled with the star power of Saloon passenger rosters, this Second Cabin list captures the essence of transatlantic mobility in the Gilded Age. It’s a reminder that history isn’t only shaped by the famous, but also by the professionals, merchants, families, and solo travelers who crossed oceans to pursue careers, education, and new lives.

 

Back Cover, SS New York Second Cabin Passenger List, 9 November 1896.

Back Cover, Contains a Wreath With Two Flags Crisscrossed - the US Flag and the American Line Flag Icon, Symbolizing Both National Pride and the Company’s Strong Identity in the Fiercely Competitive Transatlantic Market. SS New York Second Cabin Passenger List, 9 November 1896. GG Image ID # 158c5646ad

 

 

 

Curator’s Note

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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.

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

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