SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List – London to New York, 27 August 1904
Front Cover, SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List, Departing 27 August 1904 From London to New York, Commanded by Captain Thomas F. Gates. the Ship Arrived in New York on 5 September 1904. The Cover Was Signed by the 29-Year-Old Original Passenger, Miss Julia B. Banks. | GGA Image ID # 15bb95ab78
Photograph of the SS Minneapolis of the Atlantic Transport Line, 1901. Courtesy of the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives.A Rare Contemporary Image Capturing the Liner’s Size and Configuration Shortly After Launch. | GGA Image ID # 22bea620f3
🛳 Voyage Overview
On 27 August 1904, the SS Minneapolis of the Atlantic Transport Line departed London for New York, under the command of Captain Thomas F. Gates, arriving on 5 September 1904. The Minneapolis, launched in 1900, was one of the premier liners in the fleet — a single-funnel, twin-screw passenger ship designed for speed, stability, and comfort. The vessel served the London–New York route, catering to an elite clientele who valued privacy, refined service, and a direct British-American connection without intermediary ports.
This passenger list captures not only the names but also the stories of clergy, medical professionals, professors, society figures, and cultural icons who sailed together during the Edwardian era’s golden age of transatlantic travel.
Explore the SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List from 27 August 1904, featuring notable clergy, academics, medical professionals, and society figures on an Atlantic Transport Line crossing from London to New York. Includes ship details, route, and rare historical images.
⚙ Key Features of the SS Minneapolis
- Launched: 1900 at Harland & Wolff, Belfast
- Operator: Atlantic Transport Line (part of IMM Co. after 1902)
- Typical Route: London – New York direct service
- Capacity: Known for its luxurious accommodations for First Class passengers and high crew-to-passenger ratio
- Notable Feature: Absence of intermediate port calls catered to a wealthy clientele seeking privacy and speed.
Senior Officers and Staff
- Commander: Captain Thomas F. Gates
- Surgeon: J. Leeming Walker
- Purser: Charles A. Wills
- Chief Engineer: A. N. Cross
- Chief Steward: J. L. Martin
List of First Class Passengers (Note 3)
- Rev. Reese F. Alsop (60y)
- Mrs. Florence Alsop (40y)
- Mr. Reese D. Alsop (17y)
- Miss Elizabeth T. Alsop (16y)
- Miss Gulielma F. Alsop (20y)
- Miss Mary Alsop (19y)
- Dr. Marcus Brownson (45y)
- Mrs. Mary Brownson (42y)
- Miss Julia Banks (29y)
- Dr. Lucy R. Bliss (37y)
- Mr. Fred C. Bower (48y)
- Mr. Raymond Hamilton Boyer (23y)
- Mr. Wilson M. Bown (44y)
- Miss Adele Bookstaver (33y)
- Mr. Miers Busch (42y)
- Miss Maud Banfield (30y)
- Dr. Clarence A. Barbour (37y)
- Dr. Thomas S. Barbour (51y)
- Mr. Herbert Bates (36y)
- Mrs. Eda Bates (34y)
- Dr. Newton S. Bell (63y)
- Mrs. Mary E. Bell (61y)
- Mr. Herbert Belbunger (35y)
- Mrs. Elizabeth Bowlby (61y)
- Miss Elizabeth Bowlby (29y)
- Mrs. Frederick W. (Helen) Crocker (31y)
- Mr. Robert Crocker (23y)
- Mr. Edward Collens (62y)
- Mrs. Alice J. Coumbe (60y)
- Mr. Norman Case (15y)
- Mrs. Carrie N. Cowtan (37y)
- Miss Emma P. McCleary (30y)
- Miss Henrietta Colgan (32y)
- Miss Mary E. Colgan (30y)
- Mrs. Edward D. (Frances H.) Chapin (60y)
- Rev. Henry C. Cronin (56y)
- Mr. Edward A. Cronin (35y)
- Mr. Snafton [Trafton] M. Crandall (21y)
- Mr. Arthur S. Deett [Miss A. S. Dutt] (31y)
- Mrs. Helen N. Fanning (50y)
- Mrs. Martha Fries (45y)
- Miss Anna T. Fries (15)
- Mr. John N. Fries (46y)
- Mr. Benjamin M. Faires (40y)
- Miss Hannah Fwist [Furst] (40y)
- Mrs. Herbert L. (Bertha) Griggs (40y)
- Mrs. Frank (Florence) Grant (56y)
- Miss Kate D. Gilbert (45y)
- Mr. George Gillispie (37y)
- Mr. James Greenwood (54y)
- Miss Frances J. Galvin (31y)
- Miss Harriet E. Gaylord (26y)
- Mrs. A. B. Grover (41y)
- Mr. Wm. H. Hotchkiss (53y)
- Mrs. W. H. (Mary) Hotchkiss (52y)
- Miss Eleanor B. Hotchkiss (21y)
- Miss Margaret L. Hotchkiss (21y)
- Dr. Clarence C. Howard (45y)
- Mrs. Clarence C. (Mary) Howard (43y)
- Mrs. Chas. H. Howell (45y)
- Miss Josephine Howell (20y)
- Dr. Emil Henel (41y)
- Mrs. Emil (Elizabeth) Henel (39y)
- Miss Elsie Henel (15y)
- Mr. C. Chandler Howard, Jr. (19y)
- Mr. N. Montgomery Howard (12y)
- Master J. Campbell Howard (16y)
- Mr. Peter A. Hatting (36y)
- Mr. Walter H. Hildick (28y)
- Mr. Chas. E. Hill (60y)
- Rev. William Charles Hogg (30y)
- Mrs. Joseephine Hogg (24y)
- Miss Alice Hopkins (36y)
- Mrs. H. A. (Flora A.) Heath (31y)
- Mdme. Florian (Florence J.) Higgins (25y)
- Miss Jane [June] Higgins (10y)
- Mrs. Jane K. Hunt (43y)
- Miss Ethel Hunt (22y)
- Miss Caroline Ilsley (45y)
- Mrs. Jessie N. Johnson (35y)
- Mr. William H. Johnson (37y)
- Miss Helen Kay (35y)
- Miss Ada N. Kenyon (39y)
- Miss Carrie Lane (38y)
- Mr. David Lafsley [Lapsley] (44y)
- Miss J. E. Lapham - Not on Board
- Mrs. Ruth Warren Lawrence (40y)
- Mrs. Chas. B. (Mary B.) Lawson (40y)
- Miss Fanny MacLeod (42y)
- Mr. Charles D. Lyon (60y)
- Mrs. Chas. D. (Emma V.) Lyon (50y)
- Miss Ada F. Luc [Lux] (43y)
- Mr. Leigh B. Morris (31y)
- Miss Elizabeth C. Matthews (53y)
- Mr. Jas. McClury (36y)
- Mrs. H. A. (Marian) McIntyre (33y)
- Miss Marian McIntyre (9y)
- Mrs. W. P. (Clara) Morgan (44y)
- Master William M. Morgan (7y)
- Mr. Francis B. Muller [Mullin] (24y)
- Mrs. Mary Nixon (77y)
- Miss Teresa V.G. O'Neill (40y)
- Miss H. Orcutt - Not on Board
- Mr. Willard R. Platt (23y)
- Mr. Harold B. Platt (18y)
- Dr. Louis Plumer-Posey (41y)
- Mrs. Mary F. Posey (34y)
- Miss Lida J. Pendleton (32y)
- Miss Cormel J. Van Rifer [Riper] (21y)
- Mr. A. W. Van Riper - Not on Board
- Mr. Arthur L. Richmond (39y)
- Mrs. A. L. (Mary) Richmond (32y)
- Mr. Wm. K. Van Reyfen [Van Reypen, Jr.] (21y)
- Mrs. Harriet T. Robbins (65y)
- Miss Carrie Kemp Rose (46y)
- Miss Louise N. Robinson (34y)
- Mr. Patrick U. [W.] Reilly (45y)
- Mrs. P. W. (Ruth) Reilly (44y)
- Miss Julia Reilly (14y)
- Miss Grace Reilly (9y)
- Master William Reilly (7y)
- Miss Carrie A. Sherwood (31y)
- Miss Mary E. Schumacker (34y)
- Miss Grace Spencer (33y)
- Mr. Arthur Albert Stearns (46y)
- Mrs. Lillian Platt Stearns (41y)
- Mr. Elliot Edmund Stearns (13y)
- Miss Helen Hodge Stearns (10y)
- Miss Dorothy Doris Stearns (4y)
- Mr. Edwin R. Staneliffe [Stancliffe] (16y)
- Mr. Cody Staley (62y)
- Mrs. C. (Kate) Staley (61y)
- Mr. Walter A. Sweet (42y)
- Mrs. W. A. (Lizzie) Sweet (43y)
- Mr. Wm. H. J. Sieberg (61y)
- Mrs. Robt. (Charlotte) Stewart (69y)
- Dr. Thomas L. Shearer (35y)
- Dr. J. Hubley Schall (35y)
- Miss Gertrude Sargent (30y)
- Miss Emma E. Schonmaker [Schoonmaker] (40y)
- Miss Jean D. Seaman (26y)
- Mrs. Grace H. Shields (50y)
- Miss Hattie S. Sims (37y)
- Mrs. Florence Smith (39y)
- Mrs. Mary Smith (20y)
- Mr. Jas. N. Stewart (34y)
- Mrs. John R. (Ruth) Sweney (54y)
- Mr. Robert Thedford [Thetford] (54y)
- Mrs. Robert (Maria) Thedford [Thetford] (48y)
- Mr. David Thornton (58y)
- Mrs. David (Jane) Thornton (48y)
- Miss Martha H. Thornton (40y)
- Miss Josephine Talgiven [Talgwen](40y)
- Mr. Arthur S. Woodward (40y)
- Mrs. A. S. (Maud) Woodward (30y)
- Mr. H. Johnson Whitley (48y)
- Mr. Wm. D. Washburn (66y)
- Mrs. W. D. (Agnes) Washburn (63y)
- Mr. John W. Woodfin (55y)
- Miss Clara T. [A. T.] Woodfin (48y)
- Mr. John Wells (61y)
- Mrs. John (Florence) Wells (55y)
- Mr. Hunter White (24y)
- Mrs. John C. (Mary) Winters (42y)
- Miss Anita C. Winters (20y)
- Mrs. Mary R. Yeomans (47y)
Additional Passengers (Note 1)
- Emma Sapham (50y)
- Helen Steward Crocker (46y)
- Robert Thompson (33y)
- A. Ward (34y)
Not on Board (Note 2)
- Miss J. E. Lapham
- Miss H. Orcutt
- Mr. A. W. Van Riper
Notes to List of Passengers
Note 1: Passengers listed on that were not listed on this Passenger List.
Note 2: Passengers listed on this Passenger List that did not appear on Ships List.
Note 3: This passenger list has been supplemented with information obtained from the passenger manifest. Original order has been maintained as printed in the passenger list.
👤 Notable Individuals & Context
Religious Leaders
Rev. Reese F. Alsop — An influential Episcopal clergyman from Brooklyn, NY, traveling with his wife, Florence, and children. His ministry was well-known for outreach programs in New York’s urban communities.
Rev. Henry C. Cronin — A senior clergyman recognized for his pastoral leadership in the Episcopal Church, part of the broader trend of ministers traveling abroad for conferences, rest, or exchange of ideas.
Rev. William Charles Hogg — A younger clergyman whose career embodied the rising generation of church leaders at the dawn of the 20th century.
Academics & Medical Professionals
Dr. Clarence A. Barbour — Later President of Brown University (1929–1936), he was already a prominent Baptist educator and preacher in 1904.
Dr. Thomas S. Barbour — Possibly connected to missionary or academic circles, reinforcing the intellectual tone of this voyage.
Dr. Lucy R. Bliss — A trailblazing female physician in an era when women in medicine were still rare, symbolizing progress in gender equality.
Dr. Marcus Brownson — A respected medical professional traveling with his wife, Mary; his presence reflects the transatlantic professional networks of the time.
Dr. Clarence C. Howard and Dr. Emil Henel — Prominent in medical practice and possibly public health, their passage underscores the exchange of scientific ideas between Britain and America.
Society Figures & Patrons
Mrs. Frederick W. (Helen) Crocker — From a wealthy New England family with business and philanthropic ties.
Mrs. Harriet T. Robbins — A senior society matron, her travels reflect the leisure-based culture of upper-class transatlantic life.
Mrs. W. D. (Agnes) Washburn — Wife of William D. Washburn, former U.S. Senator from Minnesota, signaling political and social prominence.
Entertainment & Cultural Personalities
While this passenger list is more weighted toward society and professional figures, its composition hints at the kind of cultural mixing that often brought artists, patrons, and scholars together aboard ships like the Minneapolis. Though no confirmed stage or music luminaries are noted here, several passengers moved in the same social circles that supported theatre, opera, and philanthropy in the arts.
Biography Briefs
Rev. Reese F. Alsop
Episcopal Clergyman & Family Man
At approximately 60 years old, Reverend Alsop appears aboard with his wife, Florence (40), and three teenage children. As an Episcopal clergyman traveling in First Class, he likely held a respected parish in a major East Coast city, and his voyage may have been for rest, mission, or religious conference. His family’s presence suggests both affluence and the blending of family life with clerical duty—a reminder of how religious and social roles intersected in the Edwardian era.
Dr. Lucy R. Bliss
Trailblazing Woman Physician
At around 37 years of age, Dr. Bliss’s inclusion as a First Class passenger is significant. In 1904, few women were accepted into medical practice or world travel in their own right. She was likely associated with a leading women's medical college or hospital—perhaps among the early generation of female surgeons or public health doctors. Her presence on this voyage highlights the increasing visibility and mobility of women professionals at the turn of the century.
Rev. Henry C. Cronin
Clergyman and Community Leader
Listed under his full title, Reverend Cronin (~56 years old) traveled with a companion—perhaps his son or assistant. Clergymen of his stature frequently served in larger cities or led notable congregations. His journey may imply attendance at a denominational convention or missionary conference. His presence showcases the important role of spiritual leadership within transatlantic elite society and reinforces how clergy were part of both religious and civic networks.
Information for Passengers
Tea and Coffee at 7:00 am
Breakfast ... 8.3° am
Lunch ... 1:00 pm
Dinner ... 7:00 pm
Meals for Nurses and Children :—Breakfast,8:00 am; Dinner, 12 noon; Tea, 5:00 pm
Flease apply to Second Steward for seating- accommodation at Table.
Lights in the Saloon are extinguished at 11:00 pm, and in the Smoking Room at 11.30 pm.
Bar closes at 11:00 pm
Smoking is not allowed in the Saloon, State-rooms or Companion-ways.
The Saloon Steward will supply Stamps, Telegraph Forms, Books of Reference, and Railway Time Tables of the Principal Companies.
Divine Service.—Intimation regarding Divine Service will appear on the Notice Boards every Sunday morning.
Valuables.—Passengers are enjoined to be very careful in the disposal of small articles of baggage, more especially during Embarkation, when there are always strangers on Board.
Money, Jewellery, and valuables of any kind, should always be left securely under lock and key.
Passengers may deposit with the Purser any Money, Jewellery, &c., for safe keeping during the voyage, but no responsibility can be accepted for same.
For the convenience of Passengers the Purser is prepared to exchange a limited amount of English and American money. The rate of exchange will be $4.80 to the 'i when giving American in exchange for English currency, and 'I to $4.95 when giving English money for American.
Luggage—Only hand-bags and trunks which will fit underneath the berths are allowed in the State-rooms; all large or heavy luggage must be placed in the Baggage Room, to which access can be gained by applying to the Officer in charge of Baggage. Passengers will greatly expedite the disembarkation if they will have their State-room Baggage packed ready for removal directly on arrival, so that the transfer may at once be procetded with.
Electric Bell Calls.—For Steward, one ring; for Stewardess, two rings.
Passengers' Addresses should be left with the Purser, in order that any letters sent to the care of the Company may be forwarded.
Letters.— Passengers may have their letters addressed to any of the Company's Offices given below, where they will be retained until called for, or forwarded according to instructions.
Atlantic Transport Line Offices
Atlantic Transport Co., Ltd. 3, Cockspur Street, London, S.W.
N. Martin, Agent ... 9, Rue Scribe, Paris.
Atlantic Transport Co.
New York-9, Broadway.
Baltimore—Continental Trust Building.
Philadelphia—Sri, Bourse Building.
Chicago-234, La Salle Street.
Minneapolis-412. Guaranty Loan Building.
🎓 Relevance for Teachers, Students, Historians & Genealogists
Teachers & Students — Ideal for case studies on early 20th-century social stratification, professional networks, and religious influence in transatlantic travel.
Historians — Provides a tangible example of Atlantic Transport Line clientele, Edwardian-era shipboard life, and travel patterns pre-WWI.
Genealogists — Names, ages, and family groupings offer valuable clues for family history research, especially when cross-referenced with U.S. immigration manifests and British travel records.
📝 Final Thoughts — Why This Passenger List Matters
This 27 August 1904 passenger list for the SS Minneapolis is more than a travel document — it’s a curated snapshot of the Edwardian transatlantic elite. It reflects the era’s interplay of faith, science, education, and social position. For maritime historians, it’s a primary source offering rich details about the Atlantic Transport Line’s service. For genealogists, it’s a family-linking artifact. And for cultural researchers, it opens a window onto the people who shaped both sides of the Atlantic in the years leading to the First World War.
Fire Danger Notification
Notice of Fire Danger, 1904: To minimize dangers from fire and for the comfort of fellow Passengers you are particularly requested not to throw matches, cigar or cigarette ends on the deck, but to throw them overboard on the lee side of the steamer. A Fascinating Insight Into Shipboard Regulations in the Pre-Solas (Safety of Life at Sea) Era. SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List, 27 August 1904. | GGA Image ID # 15bb963f15
ATL Sailing Schedule, London-New York Service, 3 September 1904 to 25 November 1904. Ships Included the Manitou, Mesaba, Minneapolis, Minnehaha, and Minnetonka. SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List, 27 August 1904. | GGA Image ID # 22bec8c3f8
Title Page, Listing of Senior Officers, List of Passengers, Part 1 (Alsop-Howard). SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List, 27 August 1904. | GGA Image ID # 22befcb0a9
List of Passengers, Part 2 (Howard-Yeomans). SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List, 27 August 1904. | GGA Image ID # 22bf37a326
Information for Passengers and ATL Offices. SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List, 27 August 1904. | GGA Image ID # 22bf70f31c
Atlantic Transport Line North Atlantic Ocean Track Chart with Completed Memorandum of Log Transcribed Below. Documents the Vessel’s Daily Positions, Speeds, and Sea Conditions, Offering Valuable Historical Navigation Data. SS Minneapolis First Class Passenger List, 27 August 1904. | GGA Image ID # 15bbc748f8
| Day of Week | Date | Latitude | Longitude | Distance Traveled | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 28 Aug | 50.52 | 5.54 | 357 | Miles from Tilbury Rock |
| Monday | 29 Aug | 50.37 | 16.05 | 395 | Light Wind and Smooth Sea |
| Tuesday | 30 Aug | 50.15 | 25.55 |
377 | Fresh Wind and Head Sea |
| Wednesday | 31 Aug | 49.03 | 35.18 | 373 | Moderate Wind and Sea |
| Thursday | 1 Sep | 47.18 | 44.47 | 394 | Light Wind and Smooth Sea |
| Friday | 2 Sep | 44.50 | 53.20 | 386 | |
| Saturday | 3 Sep | 42.41 | 60.46 | 347 | Variable Winds and Calm Sea |
| Sunday | 4 Sep | 40.54 | 68.05 | 365 | Light Wind, Smooth Sea, Fog |
📜 Research note: Some names and captions were typed from originals and may reflect period spellings or minor typographical variations. When searching, try alternate spellings and cross-check with related records. ⚓
Curator’s Note
For over 25 years, I've been dedicated to a unique mission: tracking down, curating, preserving, scanning, and transcribing historical materials. These materials, carefully researched, organized, and enriched with context, live on here at the GG Archives. Each passenger list isn't just posted — it's a testament to our commitment to helping you see the people and stories behind the names.
It hasn't always been easy. In the early years, I wasn't sure the site would survive, and I often paid the hosting bills out of my own pocket. But I never built this site for the money — I built it because I love history and believe it's worth preserving. It's a labor of love that I've dedicated myself to, and I'm committed to keeping it going.
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📜 History is worth keeping. Thanks for visiting and keeping it alive with me.
