SS City of Rome Second Class Passenger List – 13 June 1888 | Anchor Steamship Line

Front Cover, SS City of Rome Second Class Passenger List of the Anchor Steamship Line, Departing 13 June 1888 from New York to Liverpool, Commanded by Captain Hugh Young. GGA Image ID # 20b8a6d8e2

🚢 Review & Summary – SS City of Rome Second Class Passenger List, 13 June 1888

Voyage Overview

On 13 June 1888, the SS City of Rome of the Anchor Steamship Line departed New York for Liverpool, with Second Class accommodations full of diverse passengers—families, religious leaders, tradesmen, and travelers from across the United States, the British Isles, and continental Europe. Commanded by Captain Hugh Young, the ship was supported by Surgeon Dr. J. M. M. Morton, Purser John Mackay, Chief Steward S. Broadbridge, and Matron Mrs. Squire.

The City of Rome was one of the Anchor Line’s premier vessels in the 1880s, known for her impressive triple funnels and large passenger capacity. While this list documents Second Class, it gives a rare look at a cross-section of middle-class travelers—those above steerage in comfort but far below the extravagance of first-class.

⚓ Ship Profile – SS City of Rome

• Launched: 1881 by Barrow Shipbuilding Company, Barrow-in-Furness, England.
• Operator: Anchor Steamship Line.
• Type: Passenger and cargo liner.
• Distinguishing Features: Three funnels (rare for the time), length of 560 feet, among the largest and most powerful liners of the early 1880s.
• Typical Route: New York ↔ Liverpool via Queenstown or Moville.
• Capacity: Approximately 1,500 passengers in Saloon, Second Class, and Steerage combined.
• Reputation: Known for speed, capacity, and distinctive profile; a favorite for emigrants and mid-class travelers.
• Voyage Date: 13 June 1888.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain Hugh Young
2. Surgeon: Dr. J. M. M. Morton
3. Purser: John Mackay
4. Chief Steward: S. Broadbridge
5. Matron: Mrs. Squire

Notable Passengers & Social Context

Several passengers stand out for their likely influence, professional background, or unique migration stories:

Rev. D. M. Beattie – A clergyman whose transatlantic travel may have been connected to religious conferences or missionary work. Religious leaders in Second Class often traveled for ecclesiastical assignments without the lavish expense of Saloon accommodations.

Rev. J. C. Brand – Another minister, suggesting this voyage may have included multiple clergy en route to Britain for denominational gatherings.

Rev. G. Munroe – His presence alongside other clergy strengthens the impression of a notable religious movement aboard, possibly connected to Presbyterian or Methodist circles active in both Scotland and America.

Rev. Carl M. Seehuns – The presence of a minister with a likely Germanic surname hints at ecumenical or immigrant congregational work. His inclusion deepens the religious character of the passenger group.

Mrs. Jessie Cohen & Child – Likely of Jewish heritage, her journey might reflect family connections between Jewish communities in New York and England at a time when transatlantic ties among Jewish merchants, artisans, and families were strong.

Mr. Wm. S. Aldrich – Possibly from the prominent Aldrich family of New England, suggesting business or personal travel across the Atlantic.

Mrs. Petra Petersen & Infant, Miss Gertrude Petersen – Scandinavian-surnamed passengers who could represent the ongoing movement of Nordic families between the U.S. and Europe.

Mr. Wm. R. Pongelly – A surname with Cornish roots, indicating travel between emigrant-descended families in America and their original communities in Cornwall.

Mrs. E. A. Shackelton & Miss Harriet Shackelton – A surname later made famous by explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. While no direct link is confirmed here, the name itself stands out in maritime history.

Life in Second Class, 1888

Passengers in Second Class on the City of Rome would have enjoyed:

• Private or semi-private cabins, far more comfortable than steerage bunks.
• Access to a dedicated dining saloon with regular meal service.
• Lounge and deck space for fresh air and socializing.
• Better sanitation, ventilation, and food quality than emigrant class, making it the choice for teachers, clergy, professionals, and skilled artisans.

📚 Historical & Educational Significance

For Teachers – A perfect resource for discussing the differences between passenger classes in the late Victorian era.

For Students – Provides a tangible example of primary source research in migration studies.

For Genealogists – Offers passenger names with potential family groupings, valuable for tracing both emigrant and return migration patterns.

For Historians – Demonstrates religious and cultural movement between America and Britain during a period of industrial and social transformation.

This passenger list is particularly notable for its cluster of clergy, which may indicate a religious conference or organized ecclesiastical mission involving both U.S. and British participants.

📝 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

The 13 June 1888 voyage of the SS City of Rome captures the transitional space between luxury and necessity in transatlantic travel. Second Class represented aspiration—comfort for those who could afford more than steerage but were still practical in their spending. With a mix of clergy, families, business travelers, and returning migrants, this list is a living snapshot of Victorian society in motion. It reflects cultural exchange, religious connectivity, and the ongoing human story of Atlantic crossings.

Back Cover, SS City of Rome Second Class Passenger List, 13 June 1888. GGA Image ID # 20b8febc4b

Passenger List Images Contributed by Chris Crofts, December 2023.