Artists, Editors, and Infamy: The SS Marquette’s June 1899 Saloon Passenger List

Front Cover, SS Marquette Saloon Passenger List of the Atlantic Transport Line, Departing 1 June 1899 from London to New York, Commanded by Captain Thomas F. Gates. GGA Image ID # 1299f3639b.

🚢 Review & Summary — SS Marquette Passenger List (1 June 1899)

Voyage Overview

The SS Marquette of the Atlantic Transport Line embarked from London on 1 June 1899, bound for New York, under the command of Captain Thomas F. Gates. This saloon passenger list not only documents the travelers but also serves as a time capsule, capturing an elite cross-section of society at the turn of the 20th century. The Atlantic Transport Line was well known for its combination of first-class comfort and reliable cargo service, with ships like the Marquette embodying transatlantic luxury and efficiency.

Key Ship Details

Launched: 1897 (built for the Atlantic Transport Line)

Operator: Atlantic Transport Line (American-owned, British-registered)

Typical Route: London – New York, catering primarily to first-class (saloon) passengers and carrying valuable cargo.

Passenger Amenities: Fine dining saloons, smoking rooms, libraries, and luxury cabins, designed to attract wealthy Americans and Britons.

Notable Feature: The Marquette was part of the A.T.L.’s “Minneapolis-class” of ships—fast, steady, and tailored for upscale clientele.

Route & Navigation

This June 1899 voyage followed the established North Atlantic steam lanes, with the Atlantic Transport Line adhering to Lt. Maury’s separate steam lane routes for safety. The ship would have sailed via the English Channel, past southern Ireland, and across the Grand Banks toward New York Harbor.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain T. F. Gates
2. Surgeon: H. Cock
3. Chief Engineer: D. MacDonald

Saloon Passengers

1. Mr. E. J. Ashwell
2. Mrs. Ashwell
3. Mr. Ralph W. Appleby
4. Mrs. Appleby
5. Mr. R. H. Baker
6. Mr. E. J. Barnard
7. Mrs. Barnard
8. Miss Bedford
9. Mr. R. D. Blumenfeld (Note 1)
   
10. Mrs. Blumenfeld
11. Master David Blumenfeld
12. Mr. C. Bontein
13. Mrs. Bontein
14. Mr. Turner E. Brashear
15. Mrs. Brashear and Infant
16. Miss Esther Brashear
17. Master Irwin Brashear
18. Master Ernest Brashear (Brashear, Ernest G.)
19. Master Alvin Brashear
20. Miss Marie Burke
21. Miss Burmester and Maid
22. Mr. Phillip H. Burrell
23. Mr. Henry Cane
24. Mrs. Cane
25. Mr. Lewin Campbell
26. Mr. Milton Campbell
27. Mr. A. B. Clark
28. Mrs. Clark and child
29. Mr. Alson S. Clark (Note 2)
    
30. Mr. H. H. Crippen (Note3)
    
31. Mr. Frank Cuyler (1863 - 1941)
32. Mr. Ralph Dearlove
33. Mr. G. E. Dowden
34. Mr. J. F. Dunwoody
35. Mrs. Fuego and Infant
36. Mr. J. Franklin Gallagher
37. Mr. J. R. Geary
38. Rev. F. S. Greenhalgh
39. Mr. H. Hague
40. Mr. H. Hardinge
41. Mr. R. E. Heggie
42. Mr. H. W. Herr
43. Mr. R. W. St. Hill
44. Mr. Arthur Hickie
45. Mr. Charles Hodgson
46. Miss E. Kalisher
47. Miss C. Kalisher
48. Mr. E. David Keeble
49. Col. L. Lake
50. Mr. Duff G. Lake
51. Mr. Henry E. Longwell - Mechanical Engineer
52. Miss Harriett Lyman
53. Dr. Mahe
54. Mrs. Mahe
55. Mr. F. Marriott
56. Miss Zurtar Metzian
57. Miss Edna Middlemitch
58. Mr. C. J. Miller
59. Mr. M. Moffatt
60. Mr. George Patterson
61. Mr. G. Paulding
62. Mr. D. West Petus
63. Mr. Alfred Piper, Jr.
64. Mr. J. L. Pollitt
65. Mrs. Pollitt
66. Mr. Rawson
67. Mrs. Rawson
68. Miss Rawson
69. Miss E. M. Requa
70. Mrs. Robinson
71. Mrs. Amy Robinson
72. Mr. H. B. Sherwin
73. Mrs. Sherwin
74. Mr. Vernon D. Shutte
75. Miss Ada Stanley
76. Mrs. Emil Stehli
77. Mr. H. J. Taylor
78. Mr. Joseph Turner
79. Mrs. Turner
80. Master H. C. Turner
81. Rev. S. S. Vannerman
82. Mrs. Vannerman
83. Miss Amy Vannerman
84. Miss Dorothy Vannerman
85. Miss Irene Vannerman
86. Mr. L. Watkins
87. Mr. Alfred White
88. Mr. George Wilson
89. Miss Jennie Wright
90. Miss M. L. Wyatt

Notes About Passengers

1. Mr. R. D. Blumenfeld (pen-name R.D.B., 7 April 1864 – 17 July 1948) Ralph David Blumenfeld was a United States-born journalist, writer and newspaper editor
2. Mr. Alson S. Clark (25 March 1876 - 23 March 1949) was an American painter best remembered for his impressionist landscapes
3. Mr. H. H. Crippen Hawley Harvey Crippen (11 September 1862 – 23 November 1910), usually known as Dr. Crippen, was an American physician hanged in Pentonville Prison, London, England, on 23 November 1910, for the murder of his wife. He has gone down in history as the first criminal to be captured with the aid of wireless communication.

Notable Passengers — Historical Context

📰 Ralph David Blumenfeld (1864–1948)

Profession: Journalist, writer, and newspaper editor.

Significance: Born in the United States, Blumenfeld built his career in London, eventually becoming editor of the Daily Express from 1902 to 1932. Known for modernizing British journalism, he was a pioneer in bold headlines and accessible reporting styles. Traveling with his wife and son, his presence signals the transatlantic exchange of journalistic talent at the fin de siècle.

🎨 Alson S. Clark (1876–1949)

Profession: American Impressionist painter.

Significance: Best remembered for his impressionist landscapes and cityscapes, Clark studied in Chicago and Paris before World War I. His later works would capture scenes from Europe, Panama, and the U.S., and he was a muralist for public buildings. This 1899 voyage likely formed part of his formative artistic travels. Alson S. Clark — American Impressionist Painter, Born in Chicago in 1876, Clark studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, at New York's Art Students League under William Merritt Chase, and notably in Paris under James Whistler. In 1900, he returned to the U.S. after his European art training. His Atlantic voyage on the Marquette fits a precise moment as he transitioned from student to exhibiting artist. His career later flourished with mural projects, teaching roles, and accolades in both East and West—shaping California’s early modernist art scene.

⚖️ Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen (1862–1910)

Profession: American physician.

Historical Infamy: Best known for the sensational 1910 trial in which he was convicted of murdering his wife, Cora. His arrest was historic—the first criminal apprehended with the aid of Marconi wireless telegraphy, a groundbreaking moment in forensic history. In 1899, however, he was simply another well-heeled passenger, not yet infamous.

🎩 Rev. F. S. Greenhalgh

Profession: Clergyman.

Notability: While specific details on his ministry remain elusive, his saloon-class travel reflects the prominence of clergy who often crossed the Atlantic for ecclesiastical conferences, missionary work, or cultural tours.

🩺 Dr. Mahe

Likely a physician of social standing, possibly traveling for professional engagement or personal leisure—illustrating the medical profession’s participation in elite transatlantic networks.

🎖 Col. L. Lake

His military title suggests prior or active service, potentially in the British Army during the late-Victorian imperial era, a time of significant colonial activity and overseas deployments.

Engaging Elements in This Passenger List

Diversity of Professions: This list includes journalists, painters, physicians, clergy, engineers, and military officers—reflecting the multifaceted social landscape of the Gilded Age traveler.

Foreshadowing History: The inclusion of Dr. Crippen is a chilling example of hindsight adding dramatic significance to a seemingly routine passenger log.

Artistic and Cultural Exchange: The presence of Alson S. Clark underscores the Atlantic as an artistic artery between Europe and America.

Marconi Wireless Era Precursor: While not yet installed on the Marquette, the capture of Dr. Crippen years later ties this era of passenger lists to the dawn of modern communications at sea.

🎓 Relevance for Educators, Genealogists, and Historians

For Teachers & Students: A resource for exploring social class distinctions, cultural mobility, and international careers in the late 19th century.

For Genealogists: A primary source for tracing family migration patterns, identifying social status, and corroborating timelines.

For Historians: Offers a snapshot of transatlantic elite society in 1899, highlighting figures who influenced journalism, art, and even criminal history.

Final Thoughts — Why This Passenger List Matters

The 1 June 1899 SS Marquette passenger list transcends mere names on a manifest. It captures a microcosm of the Atlantic world at the cusp of the 20th century—artists in the making, influential editors, clergy, and figures whose later notoriety would shock the public. For researchers, it is both a genealogical tool and a narrative bridge to understanding the personal journeys behind major historical currents. ✨

Atlantic Transport Line Track Chart and Memorandum of Log. Back Cover, Saloon Passenger List for the SS Marquette, 1 June 1899 of the Atlantic Transport Line. Passenger Completed Memorandum of Log and Track Chart for this Voyage. | GGA Image ID # 129a10cd45