SS Anchoria Passenger List – 4 June 1903: Cabin-Class Voyage from Glasgow to New York

Front Cover of a First and Second Cabin Passenger List for the SS Anchoria of the Anchor Line, Departing Thursday, 4 June 1903 from Glasgow to New York via Moville, Commanded by Captain F. H. Wadsworth. GGA Image ID # 12f37b34a6.

📅 Voyage Overview

Ship Name: SS Anchoria

Line: Anchor Line

Departure Date: Thursday, 4 June 1903

Ports: Glasgow (Scotland) → Moville (Ireland) → New York (USA)

Captain: F. H. Wadsworth

Ship Type: Twin-screw steamship

Launched: 1874 (rebuilt in 1885 and upgraded thereafter)

Operator: Anchor Line (subsidiary of the Cunard Line)

Typical Use: Passenger and cargo service between the UK/Ireland and North America

By 1903, the Anchoria was nearing the end of its career, yet remained an essential vessel for cabin and second-class travelers—notably used by educated professionals, returning immigrants, and transatlantic families.

🧭 Ship Profile: SS Anchoria

Launched: 1874 (Laird Brothers, Birkenhead)

Type: Passenger & cargo steamship

Operator: Anchor Line (later under Cunard control)

Capacity: Approx. 300+ passengers in first and second class; large steerage hold (not listed here)

Speed: 12–14 knots

Notes: Served extensively between the UK and New York/Canada; valued for its consistent service despite older design

Senior Officers and Staff

• Captain: F. H. Wadsworth, Commander
• Surgeon: W. F. McGlashan
• Chief Steward: Thomas White
• Purser: W. Young Brown
• Stewardess: Mrs. Wright
• Matron: Mrs. McMennamin
• Matron: Mrs. Sinclair

First Cabin Passengers

1. Mr. J. Anderson
2. Mrs. Anderson
3. Miss Robina Anderson
4. Miss Mary Anderson
5. Miss H. Bell
6. Mr. L. C. Carr
7. Mr. C. S. Dick
8. Miss J. McAllister
9. Mr. H. Metcalf
10. Mrs. Metcalf
11. Mrs. Paterson
12. Miss Isa Paterson
13. Miss Robb

Second Cabin Passengers

1. Miss A, Abercrombie
2. Mrs. J. E. Adams
3. Miss Maggie Baird
4. Mr. Henry Ballantyne
5. Mrs. Bolton
6. Miss Jane Bolton
7. Miss Matilda J. Brooks
8. Mr. James Brown
9. Miss Mary Callan
10. Mr. Arch. Campbell
11. Miss Retta Connell
12. Mr. James Crone
13. Mrs, A. Davidson
14. Master Battie Davidson
15. Miss Lizzie Davidson
16. Mrs. Dobbin
17. Miss Nelly Dobbin
18. Master James Dobbin
19. Miss Bella Dobbin
20. Mr. John Downie
21. Mrs. S. Downie
22. Mr. David G. Fraser
23. Mr. John M. Forrester
24. Mr. John Gault
25. Mr. James Gray
26. Miss M. A. Hammond
27. Mrs. George Hardy
28. Master James Hardy
29. Master John Hardy
30. Master Keith Hardy
31. Master George Hardy
32. Miss Mary Harkins
33. Mr. W. W. Horner
34. Mrs. W. Hosie
35. Miss Agnes Hosie
36. Miss Jeanie Hosie
37. Mr. John Hosie
38. Mrs. Lithgow
39. Miss Mary Lithgow
40. Miss Agnes Lithgow
41. Mr. James Lonsdale
42. Mr. John McDonald
43. Miss Eliz. McGowan
44. Mr. Alex. McGregor
45. Mrs. McGregor
46. Mr. George McGregor
47. Miss Maggie McGregor
48. Mr. J. McLean
49. Mr. F. McMenamy
50. Miss M. J. McMenamy
51. Miss Eliz. McMullen
52. Miss L. A. Morrison
53. Mr. Alex. Muir
54. Mr. John M. Murt
55. Miss Maggie Paton
56. Mrs. Mary Paton
57. Miss Agnes Paton
58. Miss Janet G. Pow
59. Miss A. Powell
60. Mrs. Mary Rennie
61. Miss Margaret Ross
62. Mr. Jas. Ryan
63. Mrs. Rebecca Seath
64. Mr. Alexander Seath
65. Mr. Jas. Shepherd
66. Miss Nellie Skillen
67. Miss Annie M. Snell
68. Mr. James Sproull
69. Mr. James Stark
70. Mr. Jas. Sutherland
71. Miss Elsie Sutherland
72. Mr. James Thomson
73. Mrs. Thomson
74. Miss Minnie Thomson
75. Master James Thomson
76. Mrs. Todd
77. Miss Susan Towers
78. Mr. Joseph Turnbull
79. Mrs. Turnbull
80. Miss Martha Turnbull
81. Miss Mary Wallace
82. Mr. John Walker
83. Mr. Arch. Watson
84. Mrs. Cath. Watson
85. Mr. Alex. Watson
86. Mr. George Watson
87. Miss Nettie Watson
88. Miss J. Watt
89. Miss Kate Wiggins
90. Mr. John Wilkinson
91. Mr. Wm. Wilson

👤 Notable Passengers – Who Stood Out?

Though this passenger list lacks titled nobility or internationally known celebrities, it shines for its representation of Scots-Irish middle-class mobility, family migration, and multi-generational voyaging—critical themes for social historians and genealogists.

⛪ Religious & Community Figures

Miss J. McAllister (First Cabin) – A common name among Presbyterian or Methodist missionary educators in Scotland and Ireland. Her solo voyage may suggest work in religious or charitable endeavors.

Mrs. Mary Rennie (Second Cabin) – The Rennie name is historically tied to Presbyterian ministers and rural schooling in Scotland, suggesting a potential community matriarch.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Multi-Generational Families (Genealogical Gold ✨)

The Dobbin Family: Mrs. Dobbin, Nelly, Bella, and James—a mother traveling with three children, potentially emigrating to join family in the U.S.

The Hardy Family: Mrs. George Hardy and four sons—James, John, Keith, and George Hardy. A poignant portrait of a mother relocating her young family, a likely widow or pioneer wife.

The Hosie Family: Mr. John Hosie, Mrs. W. Hosie, and two daughters. A full nuclear family journeying together—prime material for tracing family trees.

🎻 Unique Inclusion: Matron and Stewardess Roles

Mrs. Wright (Stewardess), Mrs. McMennamin, and Mrs. Sinclair (Matrons) – Their onboard positions reflect the increasing role of women in ensuring comfort and safety, especially for unaccompanied women and children. The inclusion of two matrons is uncommon and suggests a high number of single female travelers or minors.

🔍 Demographic & Social Patterns

Ethnic and Cultural Cohesion: The surnames—Watson, McGregor, Hosie, McAllister, and Fraser—clearly represent Scottish heritage.

Young Women Traveling Alone: Misses Harkins, Snell, Towers, and others traveled independently—reflecting changing gender norms and economic motivations for women in the Edwardian era.

Irish Travelers via Moville: The stop in Moville suggests some passengers may have boarded from Ireland, though the list primarily reflects Scottish residency.

🎓 Relevance for Educators, Genealogists & Historians

For Teachers & Students:

Offers a real-world companion to lessons on European migration, the Industrial Revolution’s aftermath, and maritime geography.

Can support research on changing gender roles, such as why women traveled solo or as family anchors during immigration.

For Genealogists:

Full names, grouped families, and intergenerational listings (children identified by title) provide critical leads.

Surnames are localized and consistent with Scottish and Ulster ancestry—particularly useful for diaspora tracing.

For Historians:

Showcases the social spectrum of Edwardian transatlantic travel in second class and cabin class (versus the extremes of First Class and Steerage).

Reflects post-Famine but pre-WWI migration waves, particularly among economically stable families.

🔚 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

The SS Anchoria’s 4 June 1903 voyage offers a window into transatlantic Scottish and Irish migration during the Edwardian period. Unlike dramatic accounts of steerage hardship, this list humanizes a different kind of traveler—teachers, tradesmen, mothers, daughters, professionals—all moving with intent, purpose, and hope.

It stands as a key educational resource and a genealogical touchstone.

Title Page, First and Second Cabin Passengers, and Senior Officers and Staff. SS Anchoria Cabin Class Passenger List, 4 June 1903. | GGA Image ID # 2295cd84dd

Back Cover, Track Chart and Mmemorandum of Log (Unused). A Rare Inclusion on a Passenger List’s Reverse, Showing Intended Course Across the Atlantic—Ideal for Classroom Teaching on Navigation. SS Anchoria Cabin Class Passenger List, 4 June 1903. | GGA Image ID # | GGA Image ID # 12f3d44068