Clergy, Scholars & Curators: SS Transylvania Passenger List (11 Sept 1936) — Moffatt, Ames & More

Front Cover, Cabin and Tourist Class Passenger List for the TSS Transylvania of the Anchor Line, Departing Friday, 11 September 1936 from Glasgow to New York via Dublin, Commanded by Captain David W. Bone. GGA Image ID # 1e3abde8fd

🚢 SS Transylvania Passenger List Review & Summary — 11 September 1936

Introduction — A Late Interwar Atlantic Crossing

On Friday, 11 September 1936, the TSS Transylvania of the Anchor Line embarked on a transatlantic voyage from Glasgow, Scotland to New York via Dublin, Ireland. Commanded by Captain David W. Bone, a respected master mariner and acclaimed maritime author, the voyage took place during the waning golden era of ocean liners, just three years before the outbreak of WWII would transform sea travel forever.

About the Ship

• Launched: 1925
• Operator: Anchor Line (then under Cunard-Anchor-Donaldson management)
• Type: Twin-screw passenger liner
• Gross Tonnage: ~16,923 tons
• Service Speed: Approx. 15 knots
• Routes: Primarily Glasgow–New York, with seasonal tourist and cruise services
• Features: Marconi wireless, deck games, barber, ladies’ hairdressing salon, library, kiosk, children’s meals and play areas.

The Transylvania was designed for both comfort and economy, bridging the gap between luxury and affordability. Its Cabin and Tourist Class accommodations reflected a shift from strictly class-divided travel to a more accessible transatlantic experience.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Captain: David W. Bone – Not just a mariner but also a noted Scottish novelist (The Brassbounder, Merchantmen at Arms). His leadership style combined strict professionalism with literary flair.
2. Chief Officer: Robert Hutchison
3. Chief Engineer: Charles Munro
4. Surgeon: Steven George
5. Purser: Bertram Ward
6. Chief Steward: Robert Jack

Cabin Passengers

1. Mr. Winslow Ames
2. Mrs. Ames
3. Mr. Richard Bairn
4. Mrs. Bairn
5. Mr. Myron S. Blumenthal
6. Mr. James Bolan
7. Mr. Charles W. Brook
8. Mrs. Brook
9. Miss H. Booker
10. Rev. W. Byrne
11. Rev. W. Byrne
12. Miss Rosina Dibb
13. Mr. J. W. Donnelly
14. Rev. Godfrey Doyle
15. Dr. Robert M. Elliott
16. Mrs. Elliott
17. Mrs. Agnes Ellis
18. Miss Ruth Foster
19. Mrs. Oswald Fowler
20. Miss Frances Fry
21. Mrs. A. Cullen
22. Miss Katherine Gould
23. Mr. T. E. Hazen
24. Rev. Patrick Riordan
25. Mr. A. A. Ritchie
26. Mr. H. D. M. Robertson
27. Miss B. M. Robertson
28. Mrs. Robertson
29. Mr. Francis M. Hirst
30. Mrs. Hirst
31. Miss I. C. Robertson
32. Dr. David Robinson
33. Mrs. Robinson
34. Miss Mabel Holmes
35. Miss Jane Hostetter
36. Miss Alice Robinson
37. Mr. F. H. Robinson
38. Mrs. Robinson
39. Mr. George S. Ingraham
40. Miss Frances Ingraham
41. Mr. Sam J. Irvine
42. Mr. G. G. Rowbotham
43. Mrs. Irvine
44. Mr. B. I. Salinger, Jr.
45. Mr. P. Forsyth Latimer
46. Mr. H. R. Lawton, Jr.
47. Mrs. Lawton
48. Miss Martha Schabelitz
49. Rev. John Lenihan
50. Miss Polly Schwable
51. Mr. George McCurrach
52. Mr. Robert Scott
53. Dr. James Moffatt
54. Mr. W. W. F. Shepherd
55. Mrs. Moffatt
56. Mr. Benjamin F. Shoenmaker
57. Mr. Henry Moir
58. Mrs. Shoenmaker
59. Mrs. Moir
60. Rev. John Smith
61. Miss Moir
62. Miss Irene Southern
63. Mr. Joseph W. Montgomery
64. Miss H. Stack
65. Mrs. Montgomery
66. Mr. John Stevenson
67. Mr. Joseph W. Montgomery, J
68. Mrs. Stevenson
69. Mr. George R. Montgomery
70. Mr. Frederick Sturges, Jr.
71. Mr. John Munday r
72. Mrs. Sturges
73. Mrs. B. Munday
74. Miss Cath. A. Sturges
75. Miss A. Munday
76. Capt. John G. Turner
77. Mrs. Turner
78. Monsignor J. R. O'Donoghue
79. Rev. T. N. O'Toole
80. Miss M. Orgain
81. Mrs. John K. Walbridge
82. Dr. Richard Warren
83. Mrs. Warren
84. Miss Mary Patch
85. Mr. Benjamin Peake
86. Mr. Harry Prosser
87. Mrs. Prosser
88. Mr. George Whitlock
89. Mrs. Whitlock
90. Miss Mabel Puterbaugh
91. Dr. De Forest P. Willard
92. Mrs. Willard
93. Mrs. Mariette B. Worth

Notable Individuals On Board

Religious Figures 🙏

Monsignor J. R. O'Donoghue – Senior Roman Catholic cleric, notable for his role in diocesan leadership and likely traveling for church duties or conferences.

Rev. Patrick Riordan – Catholic priest, possibly of Irish origin, reflecting the strong clerical travel ties between Ireland, Scotland, and America.

Rev. John Lenihan – Likely an Irish or Scottish parish priest visiting the U.S.

Rev. T. N. O’Toole – A prominent name in Irish Catholic ministry circles.

Rev. Godfrey Doyle – Suggestive of involvement in missionary or parish service work.

Rev. W. Byrne (listed twice) – Possibly traveling with a parish group or serving dual roles in two locations.

Academics 🎓

Dr. James Moffatt – A theologian and biblical scholar best known for the “Moffatt Translation” of the Bible. His work bridged scholarship and faith, and his travel may have involved lecturing in the U.S.

Dr. Richard Warren – Potentially linked to medical academia; more research could identify his institution.

Mr. Winslow Ames – Noted American art historian and director of the Lyman Allyn Museum in New London, Connecticut.

Dr. De Forest P. Willard – A distinguished Philadelphia orthopedic surgeon, influential in early 20th-century medical practice.

Military Figures 🎖️

Capt. John G. Turner – Title indicates service in the British merchant marine or possibly Royal Naval Reserve.

Society, Arts & Culture 🌟

Martha Schabelitz – Likely related to Jakob Schabelitz, noted illustrator and publisher; the surname is associated with the arts.

Frederick Sturges, Jr. – Member of a wealthy New York family connected to banking and philanthropy.

Myron S. Blumenthal – Possible link to business or theatre circles in New York.

Notable Passengers — Detailed Profiles

Dr. James Moffatt

A distinguished Scottish biblical scholar and translator, born in Glasgow in 1870. He served as Professor of Church History at the University of Glasgow (1915–1927) before becoming Washburn Professor of Church History at Union Theological Seminary in New York (1927–1939) (History Challenges, Encyclopedia Britannica). His Moffatt Translation of the Bible—an influential modern English version—was fully published by 1926, with subsequent revisions in 1935 (Wikipedia, ralphriver.blogspot.com). Travel in 1936 likely reflected his ongoing engagement with theological scholarship and possibly lecture circuits across the Atlantic.

Winslow Ames

The first director of the Lyman Allyn Art Museum (New London, Connecticut) from 1932 to 1942, and a respected American art historian specializing in Victorian art, but also a proponent of modernism (Wikipedia, hdl.library.upenn.edu, connecticutcreativeplaces.org) Educated at Columbia University (B.A., 1929) and Harvard (A.M., 1932), Ames was instrumental in shaping regional museum culture during the Depression (Wikipedia) Notably, he commissioned a prefabricated "Moto Home", now named the Winslow Ames House, built in 1933 in the International Style—reflecting avant-garde architectural tastes (Wikipedia)

Dr. De Forest P. Willard

Listed as Dr. De Forest P. Willard, he was a prominent orthopedic surgeon based in Philadelphia. While specific travel motivations in 1936 aren't recorded, it would have been common for such physicians to journey for medical conferences or collaborative practice visits.

Monsignor J. R. O’Donoghue

A senior Roman Catholic cleric (Monsignor title) traveling in Cabin Class. In the 1930s, transatlantic sea travel was a primary way for high-ranking clergy to attend church synods, administrative meetings, or visit U.S. dioceses with cultural ties.

Why These Profiles Matter

Dr. Moffatt’s presence links this list to the spread of modern biblical studies and transatlantic theological discourse.

Winslow Ames represents the intersection of museum leadership, modernist architecture, and cultural outreach in interwar America.

Dr. Willard embodies the medical elite’s Atlantic mobility—key for historians of medicine or family researchers tracing professional networks.

Monsignor O’Donoghue illustrates ecclesiastical mobility and the transnational nature of religious leadership in the 1930s.

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, First sitting, 12:30 pm; Second sitting, 1:30 pm
• Dinner, First sitting, 6:15 pm; Second 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 all 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 held, 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 a 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, 10. for the first ounce and ld. for each additional ounce. Postcards, 11d. 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 carefulrwhen 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 are available on 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.

Most Engaging Aspects of This Passenger List

Blend of clergy, academics, and cultural elites — the list reads like a microcosm of interwar transatlantic society.

Captain David W. Bone’s literary legacy adds a layer of prestige and human interest to the voyage.

Diverse motivations for travel — from religious missions to academic lectures, business dealings, tourism, and family visits.

Relevance of This Voyage 📚

Teachers & Students — A rich example of pre-WWII transatlantic life, combining maritime history, sociology, and biography.

Historians — Insight into the passenger composition during a period of growing political tension in Europe.

Genealogists — A goldmine for tracing family migration, professional travel, or ecclesiastical assignments.

Cultural Researchers — Names like Ames, Moffatt, and Sturges connect to art, theology, and philanthropy.

Final Thoughts ✨

The 1936 SS Transylvania passenger list is more than a roster of travelers — it is a snapshot of an era when the Atlantic was still crossed by ship, and each voyage blended business, leisure, and cultural exchange. From a celebrated art historian to a Bible translator, and from monsignors to society patrons, the voyage bridged continents in ways air travel could never quite replicate. This list captures a transitional moment: the end of the ocean liner’s heyday and the eve of a global conflict that would reshape travel and society.