Voyage of Minds and Faith: SS Caledonia Passenger List – 18 September 1936

Front Cover of a Cabin and Tourist Passenger List from the SS Caledonia of the Anchor Line, Departing Friday, 18 September 1936 from Glasgow to Boston and New York via Belfast and Londonderry, Commanded by Captain Alexander Collie. GGA Image ID # 1e3c9c7938

🛳️ Review and Summary: SS Caledonia Passenger List – 18 September 1936

Cabin and Tourist Class | Glasgow to Boston and New York via Belfast and Londonderry

📆 Departure Date: Friday, 18 September 1936

🚢 Ship: SS Caledonia (Anchor Line)

👨‍✈️ Commander: Captain Alexander Collie

🚢 About the Ship: SS Caledonia

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

Operator: Anchor Line, a subsidiary of Cunard

Type: Twin-Screw Steamship (TSS)

Route: Glasgow → Belfast → Londonderry → Boston → New York

Passenger Capacity: Approximately 1,300 across Cabin, Tourist, and Third Class

Key Features:

• Regular Atlantic service catering to business travelers, immigrants, and tourists
• Shipboard library, ladies’ hairdresser, daily wireless news, and medical staff onboard
• Known for excellent service and comfortable mid-tier accommodations
• Regularly carried clergy, academics, and public figures in addition to emigrant families

Senior Officers and Staff

• Captain: Alexander Collie
• Chief Officer: John Dunlop
• Chief Engineer: Andrew Malcolm
• Surgeon: Alister McCrone
• Purser: Reginald S. Willoughby
• Chief Steward: George Morrison

Cabin Passengers

1. Mr. James B. Baird
2. Mr. Thomas Bamford
3. Mrs. Bamford
4. Mr. Ernest J. Baker
5. Mrs. Baker
6. Dr. John W. Bartol
7. Mrs. Bartol
8. Dr. Hugh Black
9. Mrs. Black
10. Baron Mario Bucovich
11. Dr. W. Burson
12. Mrs. Burson
13. Mrs. Charles H. Button
14. Miss Donella Call
15. Mr. Peter F. Campbell
16. Miss Jeannie R. B. Carmichael
17. Mrs. Alice Comiskey
18. Mr. John T. Cunningham
19. Mr. William C. De Lanoy
20. Mrs. De Lanoy
21. Mr. Drake De Lanoy
22. Mr. Francis J. Donald
23. Mrs. George W. Fisher
24. Mr. William Gardiner
25. Mr. Nathaniel H. Gilford, Jr.
26. Mr. Peter Gillespie
27. Miss Hanna Gillespie
28. Mr. Harry E. D. Gould
29. Mrs. Gould
30. Mrs. Marv L. Grant
31. Mrs. Camelia R. Harding
32. Miss A. B. Hays
33. Miss May Hunter
34. Dr. William Irwin
35. Mrs. Frances Irwin
36. Miss Elizabeth Van Cleef Jones
37. Miss Catherine Kennedy
38. Mme Emmie Kohler
39. Mr. Robert W. Leckie
40. Mrs. Leckie
41. Miss Frances Levick
42. Miss A. M. Low
43. Miss Alice Low
44. Miss Mary McCourt
45. Mr. John H. McCunn
46. Mrs. McCunn
47. Rev. Father Patrick McDaid
48. Rev. Father Michael McDaid
49. Mr. James G. MacGowan
50. Mr. John McGown
51. Mr. Duncan Maclnnes
52. Rev. B. McKenna
53. Mrs. J. P. McKenzie
54. Rev. Wm. J. McLaughlin
55. Miss Sara Malloy
56. Mrs. James G. Morgan
57. Mr. David Muir
58. Mr. Robert Murray
59. Mr. William J. Neill
60. Mr. B. R. Newton
61. Mrs. P. J. O'Grady
62. Mrs. Jeffries G. Pace
63. Miss Ann E. Pace
64. Mrs. Christina Patterson
65. Mr. Maurice K. Pitcher
66. Mrs. A. Kingsley Porter
67. Mrs. Helen A. Robertson
68. Mr. George C. Russell
69. Mr. Wni. E. Sach
70. Mr. P. Martin Scott
71. Mrs. Emerson P. Smith
72. Master E. C. Smith
73. Master C. S. Smith
74. Mr. Frank L. Swayze
75. Mr. W. Clark Symington
76. Mrs. Symington
77. Mr. John C. Thompson
78. Mr. Gerenough Townsend
79. Mrs. Townsend
80. Master Anthony Townsend
81. Master David G. Townsend
82. Mr. L. H. Williams
83. Mr. Donald M. Walker
84. Mrs. Walker
85. Mrs. J. H. Ward

🧍‍♂️ Notable Individuals & Historical Relevance

👨‍🎓 Academics & Educators

Dr. Hugh Black – Likely affiliated with Union Theological Seminary (New York), where he was a renowned professor of practical theology and ethics. His philosophical writings and lectures placed him at the heart of early 20th-century religious liberalism. His presence on board reflects the transatlantic academic exchanges of the period.

Dr. John W. Bartol – Possibly connected to Haverford College or another Quaker-affiliated institution. His travels suggest a scholarly or educational mission.

Mrs. A. Kingsley Porter – Widow of Harvard art historian George Kingsley Porter, she was herself active in cultural and historical preservation. Her presence here is notable for women’s roles in academia and philanthropy during the interwar years.

🙏 Clergy

Rev. Father Patrick McDaid and Rev. Father Michael McDaid – Two Roman Catholic priests traveling together, likely engaged in missionary or pastoral duties. Their dual presence may indicate family ties or a shared diocesan mission.

Rev. B. McKenna and Rev. Wm. J. McLaughlin – Reflects the regular movement of Irish clergy to serve expanding Catholic communities in the United States during the 1930s.

Sister M. Gerard AlcMullan – A traveling nun, possibly connected with a teaching order or hospital ministry, illustrating the active religious roles of women.

🧑‍⚕️ Medical & Scientific Figures

Dr. William Irwin – Likely a physician or medical missionary. With Mrs. Frances Irwin, his travel may reflect work-related assignments or medical conference attendance.

Dr. W. Burson – Traveling with Mrs. Burson, his presence on board suggests possible involvement in public health or clinical medicine.

🎩 Nobility & VIPs

Baron Mario Bucovich – A distinguished Austrian-born photographer and publisher who worked in Berlin, Paris, and New York. Famous for elegant photographic cityscapes and high-society portraiture, Bucovich brought European artistic flair to American publishing circles. His inclusion adds international glamour to the passenger list and underscores the cultural significance of this voyage. 🎞️📸

✨ Most Engaging Elements of the List

Academic Heavyweights and Clergy: The convergence of theologians, Catholic priests, and scholarly figures suggests an unusually intellectual and faith-oriented crossing.

Baron Mario Bucovich: A known celebrity of interwar European culture, his inclusion in this passenger list adds a rare artistic and noble flair.

Family Migration: The large volume of Tourist Class passengers, many with recurring surnames, implies chain migration patterns, especially of Scottish and Irish heritage.

Gender Insight: An extraordinary number of solo female travelers (e.g., Miss Margaret Aiken, Miss Jane Brodie, Mrs. Agnes Horner, Miss Florence Fowler) reflects a growing independence among women during this era.

Information for Passengers

Meals.—Breakfast, 8:00 am to 10:00 am; Luncheon, 1:00 pm; Dinner, 7:00 pm

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

Breakfast, 8:00 am to 10:00 am; Lunch, 1st sitting, 12:30 pm; 2nd sitting, 1.30 pm Dinner, 1st sitting, 6:15 pm; 2nd sitting, 7.30 pm

Children's Meals —Breakfast, 9:00 am; Dinner, noon; Tea, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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

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

Lifebelts must not be removed from staterooms, except in cases of extreme danger and for official Boat Muster.

Divine Service will be hold, weather permitting, on Sunday morning. 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.

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 well-appointed Ladies' Hairdresser and Manicurist's shop on board. For convenience appointments may be arranged.

Changes in Accommodation.—The Purser alone is authorized 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 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 an 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 are available for hire and may be obtained on application to the Deck Steward.

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

Dogs and Cats.—Passengers are notified that dogs and Cats should be handed over to the livestock attendant on board and are not allowed in Staterooms, Public Rooms, or on Passenger Decks.

Dogs and Cats cannot be landed in Great Britain unless a licence has been procured from the Board of Agriculture, London. Forms of licence 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.

Postage Stamps are on sale at 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 1/2 d. for the first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce. Postcards, 1 1/2 d. each.

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.

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.

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

Smoking.—Passengers are requested to be careful when smoking on deck to see that cigarettes and cigars are extinguished before being thrown away. Children are not allowed in the Smoking Room.

The Surgeon is authorized to make the following charges for his services : —

Cabin Class.—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.

Money Exchange.—Facilities areavailableon Steamers for Passengers to change sterling and American currency at favourable rates.

Intimation will be made on the notice boards when transactions may be effected.

In their own interests Passengers should obtain an Exchange Voucher on the Company's Printed Form for each transaction.

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

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.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS.

By arrangement with certain hotels, messages reserving accommodation may be sent by passengers free of charge. A list of these hotels is kept in the Radio office.

📚 Relevance for Teachers, Students, Genealogists, and Historians

🎓 For Educators & Students

This passenger list offers a vivid teaching tool for:

• Social studies and immigration history (Scottish and Irish emigration patterns)
• Interwar transatlantic intellectual exchange
• Women’s mobility and professional travel in the 1930s
• Religious ministry and clergy relocation

🧬 For Genealogists

• Strong Scottish and Irish representation, perfect for family lineage tracing
• Full names and multigenerational groupings offer clear genealogical value
• Cabin vs. Tourist Class distinctions help indicate social status and emigration intent

🧾 For Historians

• Highlights elite and professional mobility in the pre-WWII Atlantic world
• Offers a cross-section of intellectuals, clergy, medical professionals, and European cultural figures
• Reflects pre-war transatlantic ties amid shifting global politics

📌 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

The 18 September 1936 voyage of the SS Caledonia captures a rare blend of elite professionals, religious leaders, and hopeful emigrants. From Harvard-connected art patrons and theologians to Baron Bucovich’s glamorous presence, this list is a snapshot of prewar Atlantic society in motion.

Its value lies in the intersections of class, faith, gender, and migration, offering powerful opportunities for research, education, and genealogical discovery. It is not just a manifest—it's a living archive of ambition, devotion, and global connection on the eve of seismic world change. 🌍🧳📜