Crossing Time: Passenger List of the TSS Caledonia – First & Tourist Class, 1 November 1935

Front Cover of a First Class and Tourist Passenger List from the TSS Caledonia of the Anchor Line, Departing 1 November 1935 from Glasgow to New York via Belfast, Commanded by Captain Alexander Collie. GGA Image ID # 15e18d5468

🛳️ Review and Summary: TSS Caledonia Passenger List – 1 November 1935

First and Tourist Class | Glasgow to New York via Belfast

📆 Departure Date: 1 November 1935

🚢 Ship: TSS Caledonia (Anchor Line)

👨‍✈️ Commander: Captain Alexander Collie

Explore the 1 November 1935 passenger list of the TSS Caledonia from Glasgow to New York via Belfast. Includes famed nuclear medicine pioneer Dr. Saul Hertz, affluent families, and middle-class tourists. A valuable source for genealogists, educators, and historians.

🚢 About the Ship: TSS Caledonia

Launched: 1925 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Glasgow

Operator: Anchor Line (subsidiary of Cunard)

Designation: Twin-Screw Steamship (TSS)

Route: Glasgow → Belfast → New York

Capacity: 1,300+ passengers across First, Tourist, and Third Class

Key Features:

• Barber’s shop, ladies’ hairdresser, and manicurist ✂️💅
• Wireless news via The Anchor Line News 📡
• Onboard medical staff, including a surgeon and nurse 🏥
• Sunday Divine Service and facilities for Mass 🙏
• Stateroom safes and U.S. Head Tax refund options 📄💰

🌍 Historical and Social Context

In 1935, the world was still recovering from the Great Depression, and while transatlantic travel had declined, ships like the Caledonia carried both wealthy travelers and hopeful immigrants. The blending of First Class elites and Tourist Class migrants reveals a society in motion—where privilege and perseverance crossed oceans together.

Senior Officers and Staff

• Captain: Alexander Collie
• Chief Officer: J. Dunlop
• Chief Engineer: Andrew Malcolm
• Surgeon: Dr. A. B. Burns
• Purser: R. S. Willoughby, OBE, RD, RNR
• Chief Steward: George Morrison

First Class Passengers

1. Miss A. B. Hays
2. Mrs. Flora Kling
3. Master Alan Kling
4. Mrs. J. A. Macdonald
5. Mr. Alexander Mackay
6. Mrs. Mackay
7. Mr. Thornton J. Parker, Jr.
8. Mrs. Parker
9. Master Thornton J. Parker, III
10. Miss L. A. Stewart
11. Mrs. A. Vercoe
12. Mr. J. W. Watson
13. Mrs. Watson
14. Miss Watson

Tourist Passengers

1. Miss Jessie Archibald
2. Miss Jean M. Arthur
3. Mr. Water Beckwith
4. Mrs. Agnes Eliz. Beckwith
5. Mrs. Margaret Box
6. Master John D. Box
7. Mr. William Brown
8. Miss Mary Brownlee
9. Mrs. Mary Brydon
10. Mrs. Margaret Campbell
11. Miss Margt. Campbell
12. Mr. Thomas Chisholm
13. Mrs. Freda Chisholm
14. Miss Tessa Cordiner
15. Miss Janet Couser
16. Mrs. Mary Cousins
17. Miss Marilyn M. Cousins
18. Mrs. Janet B. Craig
19. Mrs. Joanna F. Crane
20. Miss Helen M. Delaney
21. Mrs. Bridget Farrell
22. Mr. John Gault
23. Miss Rosa Gordon
24. Mr. George Gould
25. Mrs. Helen Graham
26. Mr. Hugh Grant
27. Mrs. Grace Gunn
28. Miss Bridget Hand
29. Miss Jessie J. Hay
30. Dr. Saul Hertz
31. Mr. Thos. C. Johnston
32. Mrs. Annie A. Johnston
33. Mr. Victor Johnston
34. Mrs. Eliz. Johnstone
35. Miss Masie King
36. Miss Jean W. Kirkland
37. Miss Pearl Lund
38. Mr. Wm. B. McCubbin
39. Miss Susan McDade
40. Miss Theresa McGeehin
41. Miss Ethel McIntyre
42. Mr. Finlay S. McLay
43. Mrs. Catherine McWilliams
44. Mr. Stewart Milne
45. Miss Margaret Mitchell
46. Mr. John Paterson
47. Miss Harriet L. Porter
48. Mr. James Reid
49. Mrs. Jane Robertson
50. Mr. Alex. Robertson
51. Mrs. Mae Robertson
52. Miss Carolyn Robertson
53. Miss Ruth Semple
54. Mrs. Jeanie Sinclair
55. Mr. Matthew Steel
56. Mr. John D. Stewart
57. Mrs. Margaret F. Stewart
58. Mrs. Agnes Strachan
59. Miss Rose A. Sweeney
60. Mrs. Annabella Verriest
61. Master Henry Verriest
62. Miss Janet C. Walker
63. Miss Elizabeth Wallace
64. Mrs. Ewing Wood

👤 Notable Individuals & Passengers of Interest

👨‍⚕️ Prominent Medical Professional

Dr. Saul Hertz – A name of exceptional note. Dr. Hertz was a trailblazing figure in the field of nuclear medicine. In the 1930s, he was affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and would go on to pioneer the use of radioactive iodine to treat thyroid disease. His presence on board suggests he may have been traveling on medical business or postdoctoral collaboration—an exceptional historical highlight for medical historians. 🧬

👩‍👧‍👦 Distinguished American Families

Mrs. Flora Kling and Master Alan Kling – Likely part of an American expatriate or business family returning to the U.S., possibly related to the industrial Kling family.

Mr. Thornton J. Parker, Jr., Mrs. Parker, and Master Thornton J. Parker, III – This multigenerational travel group likely reflects a wealthy business or professional family, possibly connected to banking or law in the Northeast United States.

Mr. J. W. Watson, Mrs. Watson, and Miss Watson – The presence of a complete family unit in First Class speaks to interwar upper-middle-class leisure travel.

💼 Solo Professionals and Ladies of Independence

Names such as Miss A. B. Hays, Miss L. A. Stewart, and Mrs. A. Vercoe (all First Class) suggest the presence of either independent travelers, governesses, or cultural elite (e.g., writers, lecturers, or artists) making solo voyages—a growing trend in the interwar years.

📋 Most Engaging Elements of This List

✨ Dr. Saul Hertz’s inclusion provides significant value for academic, medical, and scientific historians. His legacy in nuclear medicine began taking shape in this very era.

✍️ Female solo travelers (both in First and Tourist Class) reflect evolving social norms and the mobility of women in professional and personal life.

🌐 The global feel of this crossing—from elite New Yorkers to Scottish and Irish families, to professionals navigating transatlantic networks—makes this list unusually rich in social texture.

📖 Detailed Passenger Information Booklet includes instructions for Mass, U.S. Head Tax refunds, baggage handling, wireless messaging, safety, and even a dedicated Ladies' Hairdresser and Manicurist, providing a vivid picture of shipboard life.

Information for Passengers

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

Boat Muster and Fire Stations for Passengers.—A muster of passengers v/ill be held as soon as possible after leaving port, and in the interests of discipline all passengers are requested to attend.

Divine Service will be held, weather permitting, on the morning of Sunday. Requisites are provided for the celebration of Mass. Episcopalian and Anglican clergy may, on applying to the Purser, have the use of plate and linen for the purpose of holding Communion.

Additional Passage Money or Freight paid on board.-Passengers should obtain official receipt on the Company's form.

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

To facilitate examination and identification of baggage on landing, all packages should have an official label affixed. These labels are supplied on board on application to Bedroom Steward.

Trunks, etc., will be stored and re-shipped by the Company if desired (see Storage).

Wardrobe Trunks.—The attention of passengers is called to the fact that the steamer has a Baggage Room where trunks may be stored during the voyage. It is not always possible to have large wardrobe trunks placed in an accessible position in passenger staterooms.

Storage.—The Company will undertake to store steamer trunks belonging to passengers at owner's risk until they are required for returning. Trunks should have owner's name printed on them, and they will not be re-shipped without instructions being sent to Baggage Master, Anchor Line, Yorkhill Quay, Glasgow. A description of the articles should be given, also name of steamer from which they were landed and date. No charge for storage is made if the owners return by the Company's vessels. If trunks are forwarded by rail this is done at owner's risk and expense.

Kiosk.—Passengers can obtain confectionery, fruit, toys, souvenirs, novels, postage stamps, etc., in the Kiosk.

Barber's Shop.—There is a fully equipped barber's shop on board for the convenience of passengers.

Clothes Pressing.—Application should be made to the Barber, from whom rates and other particulars can be obtained.

Ladies' Hairdresser and Manicurist.—There is a well-appointed Ladies' Hairdresser and Manicurist's shop on board. Appointments can be arranged.

Changes in Accommodation.—The Purser alone is authorised to make changes in accommodation and may only do so on payment of any difference in fare which may be required according to Company's tariffs.

Information.—If passengers are in doubt on any point appertaining to their ocean voyage, or railroad journey, they are advised to consult the Purser.

Landing Cards.—Passengers must obtain from the Purser a U.S. landing card. The hours at which these cards are obtainable will be posted on notice board. It should be noted that before leaving the vessel the holder must present this landing card to a U.S. Immigrant Inspector for endorsement.

The Anchor Line News, containing the latest news by wireless and closing prices on the various Stock Exchanges, is published on board and distributed free to passengers at breakfast time during the voyage.

Library.—Library books may be obtained on application to the Librarian. The books are issued free of charge.

Deck Chairs, Rugs and Cushions may be hired on application to the Deck Steward. At the end of each voyage the rugs and cushions which have been in use are sent to the store and thoroughly cleaned before being re-issued.

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

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

Dogs and Cats cannot be landed in Great Britain unless a license has been procured from the Board of Agriculture, London. Forms of license and particulars of quarantine period can be obtained by direct application to the Department before the animal is taken on board. Dogs and Cats 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.

Postage Stamps are on sale at Purser's Bureau, Writing Rooms and Kiosks. A notice will be displayed stating the latest time for posting mail matter on board.

British stamps must be used for correspondence posted on the High Seas.

Rates:—Letters to United Kingdom and United States of America, 1 1/2d. for the first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce. Postcards, 1 1/2d. each.

Railway and Steamer Time Tables may be consulted on application to the Purser.

Recovery of U.S. Head Tax.—Refund of Head Tax can be obtained provided passengers have complied with the following conditions:—

1. Inform the U.S. Immigration Inspector on arrival that it is their intention to leave the United States within 60 days, and obtain from the Inspector " Head Tax Refund Certificate" (Form 514).

2. When leaving the United States to have the departure certified on Form 514 by the Purser of the vessel or by the conductor of the train upon which the departure takes place.

Redirection of Mail.—Passengers who expect letters or parcels to be delivered to the ship after they have disembarked should leave their full names and addresses at the Bureau in order that their mail may be forwarded to them.

Meals.—

• Breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m. ;
• Luncheon, 1 p.m. ;
• Dinner, 7 p.m.

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

• Breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m.;
• Lunch, 1st sitting, 12.30 p.m.; 2nd sitting, 1.30 p.m.
• Dinner, 1st sitting, 6.15 p.m. ; 2nd sitting, 7.30 p.m.

Children's Meals — Breakfast, 9 a.m.; Dinner, noon; Tea, 5 to 6 p.m.

Passengers may reserve seats at table for the voyage on application to the Chief Steward.

Return Bookings.—The Purser and his staff will at all times be pleased to assist passengers to arrange their return passages.

Smoking.—Cigarette smokers are requested to be careful when smoking on deck to see that cigarettes are extinguished before being thrown away.

Children are not allowed in the Smoking Room.

The Surgeon is authorized to make the undernoted charges for his services :—
ist Class and Cabin.—5/- for the first visit and 2/6 per visit thereafter.
Tourist Class.—2/6 per visit.

In the case of sea-sickness or the consequences thereof, no charge will be made. In all cases medicines are provided by the Company free of charge.

Nurse—A trained and qualified hospital nurse is carried. Her services, under the direction of the Surgeon, are at the disposal of passengers.

Valuables.—Money or valuables should not be exposed in staterooms. For the convenience of passengers the Company has provided a safe in the Purser's Office in which money, jewels, ornaments, documents, or other valuables may be deposited by passengers. A receipt for any articles so deposited will be issued by the Purser, but the Company does not, having regard to the ticket conditions and to the provisions of Section 502 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, and of Section 4281 of the revised Statutes of the United States, accept any responsibility for the safe custody of any such articles.

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

Cheques.—Passengers are respectfully informed that the Purser is not authorized to accept private cheques.

📚 Relevance for Educators, Genealogists, and Historians

🧑‍🏫 For Teachers & Students

This list provides a living snapshot of 1930s ocean travel:

• Excellent for primary source analysis in lessons on the Great Depression
• Rich in gender roles, travel etiquette, and class analysis
• Great entry point for students writing immigration or medical history essays

🧬 For Genealogists

• Includes full family names, multi-generational groups, and female maiden names
• Scottish and Irish diaspora connections via Tourist Class
• Key for tracing immigrant ancestors during the Depression-era downturn

📖 For Historians

• Details interwar maritime infrastructure, class divisions, and professional mobility
• Features Dr. Saul Hertz, making it relevant for history of science and medicine
• Reveals rising female autonomy and family dynamics in ocean travel

📌 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

This passenger list for the TSS Caledonia’s 1 November 1935 voyage is far more than a manifest—it is a socioeconomic microcosm of an era in flux. From one of the most important medical pioneers of the 20th century to affluent family travelers and resilient tourists, the list encapsulates the elegance, ambition, and mobility of the interwar Atlantic world.

This document is a time capsule of cultural norms, global migration patterns, and elite and middle-class leisure—a priceless resource for archival scholars and curious minds alike. 📜🌍