Passenger List of the SS Furnessia – Anchor Steamship Line Voyage from Glasgow to New York, 25 August 1904

Front Cover of a Saloon Passenger List from the SS Furnessia of the Anchor Steamship Line, Departing Thursday, 25 August 1904, from Glasgow to New York via Moville, Commanded by Captain Hugh Young. Very Colorful Graphic on Front Cover Featuring a Anchor Line Steamer. Cover Art by Andrew Reid & Co., Ltd., Newcastle-on-Tyne. GGA Image ID # 1e44427f3e. Passenger List was Folded in Half and Show Light Crease Mark.

🚢 Review & Summary – SS Furnessia Passenger List (25 August 1904)

Voyage Overview

On Thursday, 25 August 1904, the SS Furnessia of the Anchor Steamship Line departed Glasgow, Scotland, bound for New York via Moville, Ireland. This westbound transatlantic crossing came at the close of the European summer season, carrying a mix of American tourists returning home, British emigrants, and professionals traveling for business, academic, and cultural purposes.

• Voyage Type: Westbound transatlantic crossing
• Service Class Featured: Saloon (First Class)
• Captain: Hugh Young, a veteran Anchor Line commander known for his professionalism and steady leadership.

Discover the 25 August 1904 Saloon Passenger List of the SS Furnessia, Anchor Steamship Line, from Glasgow to New York via Moville. Includes notable clergy, political figures, medical professionals, and families, with rich historical context for genealogists and maritime historians.

The Ship – SS Furnessia

• Launched: 1880 by Alexander Stephen & Sons, Glasgow
• Gross Tonnage: ~5,500 tons
• Length: ~445 feet
• Operator: Anchor Steamship Line (later integrated into Cunard)
• Typical Route: Glasgow – Moville – New York

Notable Features:

• Designed for stability and comfort in the North Atlantic.
• Known for punctual service and an appealing balance between luxury and affordability for Saloon Class travelers.
• Served both leisure travelers and those on professional, religious, or academic missions.

Senior Officers and Staff

• Commander: Captain Hugh Young
• Surgeon: W. H. Parr
• Purser: W. V. Brown
• Chief Steward: S. Hendry
• Stewardess: Mrs. Forsyth
• Stewardess: Miss Jones

Saloon Passengers

1. Miss Mabel Abbott
2. Mr. D. G. Aitken
3. Mrs. Margt. A. Allen
4. Mr. Dallas Anderson
5. Mr. Joseph Anderson
6. Mrs. Anderson
7. Miss J. M. N. Anderson
8. Mr. W. Anderson
9. Mrs. Avery
10. Miss Florence Avery
11. Mrs. S. C. Andrews
12. Mr. G. H. Barber
13. Mrs. M. E. Barber
14. Mr. John Barrie
15. Miss Mary H. Barrie
16. Miss Kath. Bayne
17. Dr. James J. Baxter
18. Mr. Henry W. Bender
19. Mrs. H. P. Bender
20. Rev. R. J. Bogan
21. Mr. Felix Borowsky
22. Mrs. Borowsky
23. Miss Olga Borowsky
24. Mr. Black
25. Mr. C. Brennen
26. Mr. John Brennan
27. Mrs. Brennan
28. Mr. E. Brereton
29. Mr. John S. Brown
30. Miss Minnie P. Burr
31. Miss Anna E Burr
32. Mr. Joseph Caldwell
33. Mrs. Caldwell
34. Miss Jean Caldwell
35. Master W. G. Caldwell
36. Master Joseph Caldwell
37. Master John Caldwell
38. Master Robert Caldwell
39. Rev. Dr. Canning
40. Mr. Lewis C. Carlisle
41. Mrs. Claire S. Carlisle
42. Mr. James Carruthers
43. Mr. W. H. Cockeram
44. Mrs. Cockeram
45. Mr. Thomas Croft
46. Miss Isobel Croft
47. Mr. Philip J. Dahlen
48. Rev. Hunter Davidson
49. Mr. W. J. Delaney
50. Miss Jessie Dixon
51. Miss Mabel Dixon
52. Rev. T. Douglas, Ph.D.
53. Miss Ida M. Dyer
54. Miss Jessie Dyer
55. Mrs. John A. Eschbach
56. Mr. W. D. Enderiss
57. Mr. John Ericsson
58. Mr. John Ferguson
59. Mrs. John Foley
60. Mr. James Foody
61. Mr. Fradley
62. Mr. M. S. Frame
63. Miss Janet S. Galbraith
64. Miss M. E. Gardner
65. Miss E. G. Gardner
66. Mr. John T. Garvey
67. Rev. Charles Gavin
68. Miss H. D. Gibbs
69. Mr. J. T. Glaze
70. Mrs. Alex. Grant
71. Mrs. C. S. Gray
72. Miss Sara W. Gray
73. Miss Margaret E. Gray
74. Mr. C. E. Grogan
75. Mr. John Harper
76. Mr. A. Henderson
77. Mr. Chas. A. Hess
78. Miss M. L. Hilbert
79. Mr. George M. Hogan
80. Miss Emma Hood
81. Mr. John Howden
82. Mrs. Howden
83. Miss Edith J. Hudnut
84. Mr. W. J. Hutchinson
85. Miss E. J. Hutchinson
86. Mr. J. B. Hyndman
87. Mr. William Irvine
88. Mrs. Irvine
89. Mrs. A. V. W. Jackson
90. Miss Helen Jackson
91. Mr. J. H. James
92. Mr. A. L. Johnson
93. Mrs. Johnson
94. Mrs. Johnston
95. Mr. H. Kaminsky

96. Mr. Kelly
97. Mrs. Kelly
98. Miss G. H. Knapp
99. Mr. T. Kroch
100. Miss Minnie B. Kuler
101. Mr. Kitto, A.M.I.M.E.
102. Mrs. Kitto
103. Mr. Vivian Kitto
104. Miss Eleanor Kuhn
105. Miss Ella Lake
106. Mr. Emil F. Linke
107. Mr. D. L. Lowson
108. Mr. F. W. Luttich
109. Mrs. Luttich
110. Rev. John McCafferty
111. Col. McGrorty
112. Mr. J. B. MacHarg
113. Mr. J. W. McLean
114. Mr. Patrick T. McVey
115. Mr. Charles McNally
116. Mrs. Julia McNally
117. Mr. John McSween
118. Dr. J. H. Mahany
119. Mrs. Mahany
120. Mr. Carl Mayer
121. Mr. D. J. Monroe
122. Miss Maud E. Morris
123. Mr. Louis J. Morton
124. Mrs. Morton
125. Rev. Jas. M. Murphy
126. Mrs. Hy. D. Newson
127. Master Horace Newson
128. Miss Mary Noble
129. Mr. W. O'Doherty, M.P.
130. Mr. John B. Opdycke
131. Miss Mary Parkinson
132. Miss Laura Parkinson
133. Mr. Robt. Patterson
134. Miss Annie Patterson
135. Miss Mgt. Patterson
136. Miss E. G. Peene
137. Miss L. M. Peene
138. Miss M. J. Petrie
139. Miss Flora Petrie
140. Mr. E. A. Pettingill
141. Mrs. Pettingill
142. Master A. Pettingill
143. Miss Ella B. Pool
144. Mrs. G. F. Putnam
145. Miss Ella Putnam
146. Mr. W. A. Rally
147. Miss Rally
148. Mr. O. Raw
149. Miss G. E. Ray
150. Miss A. J. Ray
151. Miss Julia C. Ritter
152. Mr. R. R. Robertson
153. Mrs. Robertson
154. Master Ian Robertson
155. Mr. Jas. G. Robertson
156. Mr. C. P. Rooney
157. Mrs. Rooney
158. Mr. J. Roth
159. Dr. Peter Scott
160. Mrs. Bella Scott
161. Mr. Robert Scott
162. Master James S. Scott
163. Miss Janet N. Scott
164. Miss Linda Seeley
165. Miss Francis H. Seeley
166. Miss Bethella Shaw
167. Miss Agnes Simons
168. Mr. Alex. Sims
169. Mrs. Sims
170. Mr. G. L. Smith
171. Mr. Samuel Smyth
172. Mrs. Smyth
173. Miss Margt. Smyth
174. Mr. Samuel Smyth
175. Mr. W. F. Snell
176. Mr. Snell
177. Mrs. H. O. Staples
178. Dr. W. M. Stein
179. Mrs. M. Stone
180. Mr. Henry Strugnell
181. Mr. J. H. G.Stuurman
182. Mrs. Sweeny and Infant
183. Master Jas. Sweeny
184. Dr. Frank C. Swift
185. Miss May Sylvester

186. Mr. Taylor
187. Mr. John Taylor
188. Rev. John Tinney
189. Mr. A. McM. Todd
190. Mrs. Todd
191. Mr. Geo. J. Ulmer
192. Mrs. J. Van Valkenberg
193. Miss Mary Valkensberg
194. Mr. Chas. A. Warren
195. Mrs. Warren
196. Mr. James Watt
197. Mrs. Watt
198. Miss Mary Watt
199. Miss Jessie Watt
200. Mr. John Watt
201. Mr. Chas. H. Watt
202. Miss Wood
203. Mr. Wood
204. Miss Jean M. Wright

Notable Passengers & Historical Context

🕊 Religious Leaders

Rev. R. J. Bogan – Clergyman likely returning from pastoral or missionary work in the British Isles.

Rev. Dr. Canning – Notable for holding both a ministerial title and a doctoral degree, suggesting a strong academic-theological profile.

Rev. Hunter Davidson – Possibly associated with Presbyterian or Episcopal circles, reflecting transatlantic religious exchange.

Rev. T. Douglas, Ph.D. – An academic clergyman, potentially engaged in higher theological education.

Rev. Charles Gavin – Religious figure traveling with possible missionary or parish duties.

Rev. John McCafferty – Likely of Irish Catholic background, given the Glasgow–Moville route.

Rev. Jas. M. Murphy – Catholic priest traveling westbound, perhaps returning to a U.S. parish.

Rev. John Tinney – Possibly an Irish or Scottish cleric serving in America.

🎓 Academic & Professional Travelers

Col. McGrorty – A military figure (Colonel) whose title indicates distinguished service, possibly British Army.

Mr. Kitto, A.M.I.M.E. – A professional engineer (Associate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers), illustrating the presence of technical experts among Saloon passengers.

⚖ Legal & Political Passengers

Mr. W. O’Doherty, M.P. – Member of Parliament, underscoring the presence of political dignitaries on transatlantic routes.

🩺 Medical Professionals

Dr. James J. Baxter – Physician, likely returning to or from medical study or patient visits abroad.

Dr. J. H. Mahany – Another medical professional, indicating the voyage’s appeal to health practitioners.

Dr. Peter Scott – Likely a physician or surgeon active in Glasgow or New York medical circles.

Dr. W. M. Stein – Possibly involved in public health or academic medicine.

Dr. Frank C. Swift – Medical practitioner, possibly traveling for post-graduate study or consultation.

🌍 Cultural & Social Figures

Miss H. D. Gibbs – Name aligns with prominent African American educator Harriet Gibbs Marshall, founder of the Washington Conservatory of Music, who was active in international travel at this time.

Mr. Felix Borowsky & Family – A surname associated with Eastern European Jewish merchant and cultural families, possibly traveling between Europe and America for trade or artistic work.

Most Engaging Aspects of This Passenger List

This manifest is rich in professional and social diversity:

• Strong representation of clergy, including several with academic doctorates.
• A sitting Member of Parliament — rare in such lists.
• A mix of military, political, medical, and engineering professionals, reflecting the importance of the transatlantic route in professional networking.
• Families with children, showing that First Class travel was not only for individuals but for entire households.

Track Chart and Abstract of Log (Unused) on the Back Cover of a Anchor Steamship Line SS Furnessia Saloon Passenger List from 25 August 1904. The Memorandum of Log Is a Space Provided for Passengers to Record the Daily Position and Weather, Though in This Example, It Remains Blank. This Format Reflects the Era’s Engagement With Navigation and Passenger Curiosity About Ocean Travel. | GGA Image ID # 1e44565a1a. Click to View a Larger Image.

Relevance for Teachers, Students, Historians & Genealogists ✍️

Genealogists – Provides detailed family names and travel groupings that can be linked to census, immigration, and vital records.

Historians – Illustrates the social make-up of Saloon Class travelers on the eve of the Edwardian era.

Students – Offers insight into transatlantic cultural and professional exchange.

Maritime Enthusiasts – Demonstrates the commercial role of Anchor Line in the early 20th-century passenger trade.

Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters ⭐

The 25 August 1904 SS Furnessia Saloon Passenger List offers a fascinating cross-section of religious leaders, political figures, medical professionals, and affluent families. This manifest not only serves as a record of who traveled, but also illustrates the professional networks and cultural connections forged across the Atlantic during this period. The presence of a Member of Parliament, a Colonel, multiple doctors, and noted clergy gives this list exceptional historical value.

What Was the Role of a Stewardess on a 1904 Ocean Liner?

In 1904, stewardesses on transatlantic ocean liners played a vital role in ensuring the comfort and well-being of female passengers, children, and occasionally families traveling in various classes. Their duties encompassed a wide range of responsibilities, from practical assistance to providing reassurance during the often-stressful voyage across the Atlantic. Below are the primary purposes and duties of stewardesses:

Purpose

1. Comfort and Care: Stewardesses were tasked with making the journey more comfortable for women and children, who were often less accustomed to long voyages and prone to seasickness or anxiety.
2. Safety and Privacy: They provided a sense of security and privacy, particularly in an era when societal norms dictated that men and women maintain distinct spheres, especially in accommodations.
3. Personal Attention: Their role was to ensure that passengers' individual needs were met, offering personalized attention to enhance the overall travel experience.

Duties

1. Assisting Female Passengers:
   • Helped female passengers with dressing, undressing, and organizing personal belongings.
   • Provided support during seasickness, including fetching remedies, drinks, or light food.
   • Ensured access to amenities like hot water bottles, linens, and toiletries.
2. Caring for Children:
   • Assisted mothers with the care of infants and young children.
   • Helped entertain and supervise children to give parents some respite.
   • Ensured children’s safety during rough seas or crowded areas.
3. Maintaining Cabins:
   • Cleaned and tidied cabins assigned to women and families.
   • Checked that bedding, towels, and other supplies were fresh and properly stocked.
   • Kept washrooms and dressing areas in good order.
4. Providing Emotional Support:
   • Acted as a calming presence for passengers feeling anxious or homesick.
   • Offered companionship to solo female travelers.
   • Served as a confidante or guide, especially for first-time travelers.
5. Managing Emergencies:
   • Assisted during medical situations, often working alongside the ship's doctor or nurses.
   • Helped female passengers don life jackets and assemble at muster stations during drills or emergencies.
6. Special Requests:
   • Delivered meals or beverages to passengers confined to their cabins due to illness or fatigue.
   • Assisted in navigating the ship's layout, ensuring passengers felt comfortable in the unfamiliar environment.

Significance

Stewardesses provided an indispensable service, blending practical care with emotional reassurance. Their presence contributed to the overall reputation of ocean liners as luxurious and hospitable environments, especially for women and families embarking on what was often a life-changing journey. Their duties also reflected the broader social norms of the time, emphasizing attentiveness to class distinctions and gender-specific needs.