SS Ethiopia First & Second Cabin Passenger List – 18 May 1901 – New York to Glasgow (Anchor Line)

Front Cover, First and Second Cabin Passenger List from the SS Ethiopia of the Anchor Steamship Line, Departing Saturday, 18 May 1901, from New York to Glasgow via Moville, Commanded by Captain J. Lumsdane. Front Cover Is an Elaborate Collage of Scenes Around the World, Including: Lakes of Killarney, Edinburgh, Brig O’doon, Wallace Monument, Fingal’s Cave, and Balmoral Castle. in the Center Is a 4-Masted Steamship at Sea With “Anchor Line” in a Banner Directly Below the Steamship at Sea. “Information for Passengers” Is Printed at the Bottom in Bold Red Letters. A Promotional Illustration From the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1901, With Her Majesty the Queen Listed as Patron, Underscores the Voyage’s Connection to a Landmark Cultural Event. | GGA Image ID # 21245bd623

🚢 Ship & Voyage Overview

The SS Ethiopia, a proud vessel of the Anchor Steamship Line, set sail on Saturday, 18 May 1901 from New York bound for Glasgow, Scotland, via Moville, Ireland. Commanded by the experienced Captain J. Lumsdane, this voyage carried a fascinating cross-section of travelers in First and Second Cabin accommodations.

📜 Key Ship Facts

• Launched: 1886 by Alexander Stephen & Sons, Glasgow
• Gross Tonnage: ~4,200 GRT
• Operator: Anchor Steamship Line (Glasgow-based, with strong emigrant and commercial links to the U.S.)
• Typical Route: New York – Moville – Glasgow
• Service Role: Regularly carried passengers, mail, and cargo between Scotland, Ireland, and the United States; also transported many emigrants and seasonal workers.
• Notable Features: A sturdy, four-masted steamship with both sail and steam power, providing extra security on long voyages.

🛳 Key Historical Notes on the SS Ethiopia

Built for the Anchor Line’s New York–Glasgow service, she was part of the company’s push for faster, safer, and more comfortable steam-powered passenger ships.

The combination of steam and sail power was still valued in 1901 for redundancy and fuel efficiency.

This voyage coincided with a period of renewed Scottish pride and industrial achievement, underscored by the Glasgow International Exhibition.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain J. Lumsdane
2. Surgeon: Dr. W. Turner
3. Purser: F. W. Bowles
4. Chief Steward: William Squires
5. Stewardess: Mrs. Mason
6. Matron: Mrs. Corson

First Cabin Passengers

1. Miss Agnes Adie
2. Mr. John B. Carrington
3. Mr. Henri C. Chatain
4. Mr. Robert Caswell
5. Mr. Robert R. Davidson, Jr.
6. Mr. Robert Y. Davidson
7. Mrs. Robert Y. Davidson
8. Mrs. Alexander Davis
9. Master Albert Davis
10. Miss Jessie Davis
11. Mr. George E. Fling
12. Mrs. George E. Fling
13. Mr. William MacLachlan
14. Mr. James Morton
15. Mr. John McSween
16. Mr. John McSween, Jr.
17. Mr. John Hector McSween
18. Archdeacon James A. R. Swaby
19. Mr. Charles Yalier
20. Mrs. Isabella Wilkie
21. Mr. Bright Williamson

Second Cabin Passengers

1. Miss Margaret N. Allison
2. Miss Anderson
3. Mrs. Margaret Beicher
4. Mr. S. H. Blount
5. Mrs. Ellen Blount
6. Miss Esther Blount
7. Mrs. M. J. Blount
8. Mrs. Catherine Bradley
9. Master Joseph Bradley
10. Mr. Walter Brown
11. Miss Jeannette Crawford
12. Mrs. Mary Duplessis
13. Master Edgar Duplessis
14. Mr. John Donaghey
15. Mrs. John Donaghey
16. Miss Sophia Eastman
17. Miss J. Egland
18. Miss I. Egland
19. Miss S. J. Ferguson
20. Miss Anna Flaherty
21. Mr. William N. Garry
22. Miss Mary A. Gaw
23. Mr. George Gillies
24. Mr. George Gillies, Jr.
25. Mrs. Annie Henderson
26. Master J. W. Henderson
27. Master George Henderson
28. Miss Mary L. Irwin
29. Mr. Thomas Kidd
30. Mrs. Thomas Kidd And infant
31. Mr. John Kavane
32. Miss Catherine Lecky
33. Mr. Thomas Linehan
34. Mr. William Murray
35. Miss McFarland
36. Miss Mary McPeak
37. Mr. John McVie
38. Miss C. McCormick
39. Miss Eliza Muir
40. Miss Jane Maxwell
41. Mr. Munro
42. Mr. James Merry
43. Mrs. James Merry
44. Miss Florence Merry
45. Mrs. Mary Martin
46. Miss Alice Martin
47. Mr. Robert Morrison
48. Mr. William Reid
49. Miss Janet Sheppard
50. Miss Margaret Sheppard
51. Mr. James Sutton
52. Mrs. James Sutton
53. Mrs. Ellen Tully
54. Miss Mary A. Tearney
55. Miss Mary Ward
56. Miss Annie Watt
57. Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson
58. Miss Ester I. Wilkinson And infant

👥 Notable Passengers & Historical Context

✝ Religious Leadership

Archdeacon James A. R. Swaby – A prominent Anglican cleric, the title Archdeacon denoting senior ecclesiastical authority. Figures like Swaby often traveled to oversee church missions, attend conferences, or provide pastoral care to expatriate communities. His presence highlights the ship’s role in maintaining spiritual and institutional connections across the Atlantic.

🎓 Academic & Professional Travelers

Mr. George E. Fling & Mrs. George E. Fling – George E. Fling was associated with the academic and cultural circles of the early 20th century, later linked to educational institutions in the United States. Their voyage may have been for research, cultural exchange, or professional networking in Scotland or England.

🌍 International & Cultural Cross-Section

The manifest reveals a blend of Scottish, Irish, and American passengers—merchants, families, and independent women travelers—demonstrating that 1901 transatlantic crossings served both emigrants and those making return journeys to visit relatives or manage business interests.

📌 Most Engaging Aspects of This Passenger List

Diverse Occupations and Social Roles – From senior clergy to academics, business travelers, and families with children, the list reflects the social range of early 20th-century maritime travel.

Strong Scottish and Irish Passenger Representation – Many surnames and origins connect to specific regions, making this a rich source for genealogical research.

Women Traveling Independently – Several women appear without male companions, a reflection of growing independence and the professional mobility of women in the Edwardian era.

Cultural Significance of the Year 1901 – The voyage coincided with the Glasgow International Exhibition, featured on the back cover, which celebrated industrial, scientific, and artistic achievements in Scotland.

📚 Relevance for Researchers & Educators

For Teachers & Students

A vivid case study for the Edwardian period, offering insights into travel patterns, societal hierarchies, and transatlantic relations.

Useful for lessons in migration history, social studies, and cultural geography.

For Genealogists

First- and second-cabin listings provide rich detail for family historians tracing ancestors who traveled in comfort but not necessarily in luxury.

The period context allows for deeper understanding of why and how individuals traveled between the U.S. and the British Isles in 1901.

For Historians

The voyage serves as a microcosm of transatlantic society in the early 20th century, just months before the death of Queen Victoria and the start of the Edwardian era.

💡 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters

The 18 May 1901 Passenger List of the SS Ethiopia captures a transitional moment in maritime and social history. It reflects an era when steamships were at their height, carrying people not only for migration but also for cultural, religious, and professional purposes. For genealogists, it offers a treasure trove of names; for historians, it situates the voyage within the broader context of Edwardian society and international exhibitions.

Back Cover, SS Ethiopia First and Second Cabin Passenger List, 18 May 1901. Back Cover is an illustration from the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1901. Patron - Her Most Gracious Majesty The Queen. 1901- May to November - 1901. | GGA Image ID # 21246830d4

🎨 Illustrated Profile – Glasgow International Exhibition of 1901

The Glasgow International Exhibition of 1901 was a landmark cultural and industrial showcase held in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, from May to November 1901. Under the patronage of Her Most Gracious Majesty The Queen, the event celebrated Scotland’s industrial might, artistic excellence, and global connections.

🏛 Exhibition Highlights

Architecture: The main exhibition building was an Edwardian-Baroque masterpiece, crowned with a central dome and adorned with ornate towers—symbolizing both tradition and modernity.

International Pavilions: Nations from across the globe, including Canada, India, and European powers, displayed their achievements in trade, manufacturing, and art.

Scientific & Industrial Displays: Cutting-edge machinery, shipbuilding innovations, and engineering marvels reflected Glasgow’s status as the “Second City of the Empire.”

Cultural Arts: The Fine Arts section featured works from Scottish masters alongside international artists, bridging heritage and contemporary trends.

📸 Connection to the SS Ethiopia

The back cover of this passenger list proudly features an official illustration of the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1901, subtly linking the voyage to this world-class event. For many passengers—particularly tourists, academics, and dignitaries—this may have been the main purpose of their journey to Scotland.

Noteworthy Image from the Passenger List

Back Cover – Official illustration promoting the Glasgow International Exhibition, 1901. The image depicts the grandeur of the exhibition grounds, reinforcing Glasgow’s global prestige at the dawn of the 20th century. GGA Image ID #21246830d4.