Democratizing the Atlantic Crossing: The SS Minnesota Passenger List of 11 June 1927
Front Cover, SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, Departing 11 June 1927 From New York to London via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Commanded by Captain W. F. Pollard. GGA Image ID # 1733fb7655
🚢 Review & Summary of the SS Minnesota Passenger List
Voyage Date: 11 June 1927
Route: New York → Boulogne-sur-Mer → London
Ship: SS Minnesota (Atlantic Transport Line / IMM group)
Commander: Captain W. F. Pollard, D.S.O., R.D., R.N.R.
🌊 The Ship & Its Significance
The SS Minnesota, a twin-screw steamer of 11,905 tons, belonged to the Atlantic Transport Line, absorbed into the International Mercantile Marine (IMM). Launched in the early 20th century, she was built as a workhorse for passengers and cargo, later adapted for Tourist Third Cabin service during the 1920s boom in budget-friendly transatlantic travel.
Key ship features:
Wireless telegraphy & submarine signaling apparatus 📡
Professional crew of naval reserve officers (Capt. Pollard decorated with the D.S.O.)
Library, deck games, and amusements for passenger leisure 📚
Affordable, structured Tourist Third Cabin experience designed for students, missionaries, professors, and middle-class families 🧳
By 1927, Minnesota exemplified the democratization of sea travel—no longer the preserve of aristocrats and magnates.
Senior Officers and Staff
- Commander: Captain W. F. Pollard, D.S.O., R.D. (Capt. R.N.R.)
- Chief Engineer: W. C. Donald
- Doctor: Michael Bulger, M.A., M.D
- Purser: H. W. Lagden Asst
- Purser: E. Cordery
- Chief Steward: W. Simkin
Tourist Third Cabin Passengers
List of Passengers, Part 1 (A. Ackerman-Emily Brown)
- Miss A. Ackerman
- Miss M. E. Ackerman
- Mrs. Ruth Aimes
- Miss A. C. Bagge
- Mrs. S. Bantick
- Miss Bantick
- Mrs. Helen Batteram
- Mrs. L. M. Bauman
- Miss R. Bauman
- Miss Elizabeth Beacon
- Miss Bell
- Mr. Bennet
- Mrs. Bennet
- Miss Bernice Berry
- Mrs. J. W. Blincoe
- Mr. William Blondel
- Mrs. Blondel
- Miss Betty Bloynely
- Mrs. John Bluck
- Miss Elizabeth Bowden
- Mr. Bowles
- Mrs. Norah Breese
- Miss Eleanor Brogg
- Mrs. F. E. Brooks
- Miss J. Brooks
- Mrs. A. Mercy Brower
- Master Stanley Brower
- Miss Jane Brower
- Miss Elizabeth A. Brower
- Miss Florence Brown
- Miss Mary F. Brown
- Mr. G. Stewart Brown
- Mrs. Emily Brown
List of Passengers, Part 2 (Cyril D. Buckwell-Fisher)
- Mr. Cyril D. Buckwell
- Mrs. Buckwell
- Miss Mildred Bursley
- Mr. E. E. Burns
- Miss S. Butcher
- Mrs. Butterick
- Miss Marion Butterick
- Master Allen Butterick
- Mr. James Buvington
- Mrs. Buvington
- Miss Verna Dapper
- Mrs. Gertrude Davis
- Mr. H. Dean
- Mrs. Dean
- Miss Dean
- Mrs. Emma Dempster
- Master A. P. Dempster
- Miss Louise Denison
- Miss Iris Detweiler
- Miss A. J. Devin
- Miss Jeanne Doraff
- Miss Julia Dowd
- Miss Dorothy Doyle
- Mrs. I. Duggan
- Mr. H. W. Calderon
- Mrs. H. W. Calderon
- Mr. C. W. Cameron
- Mrs. Mary Caron
- Mr. V. P. Chandler
- Mr. J. Chenciner
- Mr. Fredric Clifford
- Mrs. Clifford
- Mrs. Bladwen Coburn
- Mrs. Frederick A. Cole
- Miss Catherine Cole
- Mr. W. B. Cooke
- Miss Mary Cooke
- Miss Francis Conklin
- Mr. Thomas Costigan
- Mr. C. Courtneidge
- Mr. I. Craib
- Mr. John Crawford
- Mr. Wethered Crocker
- Mr. J. S. Crowley
- Mrs. Crowley
- Miss Elizabeth Curtis
- Mrs. C. F. Eastman
- Mrs. Carrie Eberspacher
- Mrs. Mary Eberspacher
- Mr. F. Ehrenfeld
- Mrs. Ehrenfeld
- Mrs. H. Elliot
- Mrs. H. Emery
- Mr. J. H. Engle
- Mr. C. C. Evangelides
- Mrs. V. Evangelides
- Mrs. F. W. Fairman
- Mr. C. E. Farrer
- Miss May Faulder
- Mrs. R. W. Feather
- Mr. John Fisher
- Master Fisher
List of Passengers, Part 3 (Olivia Fletcher-L. Jones)
- Miss Olivia Fletcher
- Miss Martha Foley
- Miss L. Fonjalloz
- Mr. Arthur Frieze
- Mr. J. H. Frobert
- Miss Mary P. Fulton
- Mrs. M. Galpin
- Master Donald Guy Galpin
- Mrs. E. S. Gammon
- Miss Margaret Garthy
- Miss Clara Gaupel
- Rev. Ullrich Gay
- Miss E. Gilroy
- Miss B. Gittens
- Mrs. George Glass
- Master Atholl Glass
- Mrs. W. Glass
- Mr. Charles Goggin
- Mr. R. C. Gosnell
- Mr. Robert C. Gosnelle
- Mrs. Norma Gray
- Mrs. R. Greer
- Miss M. B. Groom
- Mr. Andrew Grey
- Miss Grundy
- Mr. John Harkness
- Mrs. John Harkness
- Miss V. Hartstein
- Miss Ruth Haskins
- Mr. H. Hassell
- Mrs. Hassell
- Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkins
- Mrs. J. H. Hawxwell
- Miss E. Hegan
- Miss M. D. Helfenstein
- Miss Hellman
- Mr. Hinchy
- Miss Bertha Hite
- Mrs. Bertha Hooker
- Mr. Hopkinson
- Mr. George Howard
- Miss Elizabeth Hudson
- Mr. Gerald Hughes
- Mrs. A. Hunt
- Miss Evelyn Hunt
- Mrs. W. F. Irwine
- Mr. Julius Isaacs
- Mrs. Isaacs
- Mr. George H. Hafer
- Miss J. Haight
- Miss Rose Halley
- Mr. P. Hampden
- Mrs. L. S. Hanson
- Mrs. W. Jaines
- Dr. R. M. James
- Mr. James
- Miss Clarice Jones
- Miss L. Jones
List of Passengers, Part 4 (Carl Kefberg-Ruth E. O'Brien)
- Mr. Carl Kefberg
- Mrs. Margaret Kelley
- Mrs. John P. Kennedy
- Miss Fannie R. Kennedy
- Mrs. Ralph Kirkham
- Miss Josephine Kirpal
- Miss Katherine Knox
- Mr. George Kosch
- Mr. Ben Krotosky
- Miss J. M. Lansing
- Mrs. E. Larson
- Mrs. Leedoff
- Miss Mary Lenerander
- Mr. A. E. Lenigs Jr.
- Mrs. Harriet C. Leonard
- Mr. Hans Letz
- Mrs. Letz
- Mr. John Harry Letz
- Miss Mary Margt. Letz
- Mr. Edmond Levis
- Miss E. Leyson
- Miss Kate Liddle
- Mr. Sam Linder
- Mr. A. Lindsay
- Mrs. Ida Litz
- Miss Helen Lothair
- Mr. P. McDermott
- Miss G. McDermott
- Miss Edna McKnight
- Miss Ida McVey
- Mr. William MacLaughlin
- Mrs. Anna Magner
- Mr. George T. Mann
- Mrs. Mann
- Master Roy G. Mann
- Miss J. Mannheim
- Mr. F. Marion
- Miss G. L. Martin
- Mr. Reynold Maskis
- Prof. David D. Mason
- Miss G. Masters
- Mrs. L. Masters
- Miss Catherine I. Meloon
- Mrs. F. Miller
- Mr. W. Howard Miller
- Mr. J. B. Milliken
- Mr. S. W. Mills
- Mr. H. Mills
- Miss Marion Montgomery
- Mrs. Pauline Morrel
- Miss Mary R. Morrison
- Mrs. Anna J. Morrison
- Miss P. Morris
- Mr. W. W. Moss
- Mrs. Murphy
- Miss Mary McCarthy
- Mrs. Elizabeth McCarthy
- Mr. W. B. McDaniel
- Mrs. McDaniel
- Miss C. Newcombe
- Mr. Julius Newmen
- Miss Ruth E. O'Brien
List of Passengers, Part 5 (Margaret Pope-Ralph Stock)
- Miss Margaret Pope
- Mrs. L. C. Patterson
- Mr. Patterson
- Mrs. I. Patterson
- Miss Luaz G. Peabody
- Mrs. C. Pearson
- Miss Alice Pearson
- Mr. F. D. Perkins
- Miss A. W. Perkins
- Miss M. T. Perkins
- Mr. Henry Penniman
- Mrs. Adele Peters
- Miss Petronin
- Miss Antoinette Pied
- Mrs. Elsie Plunkett
- Miss Plunkett
- Mr. W. B. Pope
- Mrs. Porter
- Miss T. Potlogan
- Mrs. Betty Powers
- Miss Mary D. Pryor
- Miss V. Raeburn
- Mrs. Ida Rath
- Mrs. G. B. Reeve
- Mrs. P. A. Remus
- Miss Yvonne Remus
- Master Nevin Remus
- Mr. Paul Rhines
- Mrs. Rhines
- Mr. Fred Richters
- Mr. B. F. Rinker
- Mr. Cecil Roberts E. C. M
- Mrs. Myrtle Roberts
- Miss Mildred Rosch
- Miss Florence Rosch
- Mrs. Anna Rosenberger
- Mr. Ross
- Miss Marion Roth
- Miss Frances M. Royce
- Miss A. Kathryn Royce
- Mrs. Alice Rucker
- Mrs. J. C. Rushforth
- Rev. Thos. Ryon
- Miss Anna M. Samporth
- Mr. Sanders
- Mrs. Sanders and child
- Mrs. R. I. Sanderson
- Mrs. S. D. Sault
- Mr. John Schmeidler
- Miss Mary Seiler
- Mrs. Helen Shatzkins
- Miss Isacher Shatzkins
- Master Leonard Shatzkins
- Mrs. S. Sidelmann
- Mrs. Ada Simmons
- Mrs. Alice F. Smith
- Mr. A. R. Smith Jr.
- Miss Florence R. Spring
- Mr. John C. Steele
- Mrs. H. Steel
- Miss Steel
- Miss Elizabets Stephens
- Mr. Stern
- Mr. Martin Stewart
- Mr. Ralph Stock
List of Passengers, Part 6 (O. P. Susmeyan-L. L. Young)
- Mr. O. P. Susmeyan
- Miss Alma Sweet
- Mrs. W. B. Thomas
- Mr. W. H. Thompson
- Mr. William Thompson
- Mrs. Nelson Thompson
- Mrs. Ashton Tonge
- Miss Jeanne Toraff
- Miss Ruth Trinkle
- Mr. A. R. TRUE
- Miss A. Y. Turcott
- Mrs. C. Tyson
- Dr. J. M. Vandermeulen
- Mrs. Vandermeulen
- Master John Vandermeulen
- Miss Reba Van Messel
- Miss Louise H. Van Pray
- Miss Isabelle Varney
- Mrs. G. E. Walker
- Miss Walsch
- Mrs. E. C. Walter
- Master Lloyd Wasson
- Mrs. H. A. Wasson
- Mr. Ralph Way
- Miss Louise Weir
- Miss T. Welting
- Mr. Edwin A. Wilborg
- Mrs. Wilborg
- Miss Jane Wilds
- Miss Mildred Wilds
- Miss Lydia Williams
- Miss Lucille Willis
- Miss Mary K. Wilson
- Mrs. F. G. Wipf
- Master Donald Wipf
- Miss Wistar
- Mr. Winston
- Mr. Sidney Wood
- Mr. Sidney Wood
- Mr. George Wood
- Mrs. Phyllis Wood
- Mr. L. L. Young
🎓 Notable Individuals on Board
This passenger list is surprisingly rich in variety, from academics to clergy to families on summer tours.
Professors & Academics
Prof. David D. Mason – A university professor whose presence highlights the strong academic exchange between the U.S. and Europe in the interwar years. He represents the intellectual side of Tourist Third Cabin travel 🎓.
Religious Leaders
Rev. Ullrich Gay – A clergyman providing spiritual guidance onboard. Figures like him often led Sunday services at sea ✝️.
Rev. Thomas Ryon – Another minister, showing the popularity of Tourist Third Cabin among clergy traveling for missions, conferences, or extended study.
Physicians & Medical Experts
Dr. R. M. James – His presence as a medical doctor underlines the way professionals, not just tourists, used these affordable crossings. ⚕️
Dr. J. M. Vandermeulen – Another physician, traveling with family, symbolizing both professional and familial transatlantic connections.
Entertainment / Cultural Figures
Mr. C. Courtneidge – Likely connected to the Courtneidge family, well known in the British theatre world 🎭. His inclusion adds a cultural and entertainment note to the voyage.
Families & Social Travelers
The Brower Family (Mrs. A. Mercy Brower, Stanley, Jane, Elizabeth A. Brower) – A full family group crossing together, representing the wave of family tourism and seasonal migration in the 1920s.
The Vandermeulen Family (Dr. Vandermeulen, Mrs. Vandermeulen, Master John) – Professionals traveling with families gave Tourist Third Cabin a cosmopolitan but middle-class character.
🌟 Most Engaging Elements
Blend of Professions – professors, clergy, doctors, cultural figures.
Families on the Move – Browers, Vandermeulens, and Shatzkins among others, showing intergenerational crossings.
Clergy Presence – several reverends traveling at once, giving a strong religious undertone to this voyage.
Academic & Artistic Links – professors and cultural names linking U.S. and European intellectual/entertainment circles.
General Information for Passengers
Breakfast at 8:00 am
Luncheon at 12 noon
Dinner at 6:00 pm
Divine Service will be held on Sundays at 11:30 am
Smoking. Passengers are kindly requested not to smoke in either the Dining Saloon or in the Reading and Writing Room. It is also desired that ladies should refrain from using the smoking room.
Seats at Table. Passengers who have not previously arranged for seats at table to be reserve& should apply to the Second Steward.
Upper Berths. Passengers occupying upper berths can obtain steps for getting in or out of same on applying to the Steward or Stewardess.
Medical Attendance. The Surgeon is authorized to make customary charges, subject in each case to the approval of the Commander, for treating Passengers at their request for any illness Not Originating On The Voyage. In the case of sickness originating on the voyage no charge will be made, and medicine will be provided free in all circumstances.
Wireless. The steamer is fitted with the Independent Company's System of Wireless Telegraphy and also with Submarine Signalling Appartus.
The Purser's Office is situated on Deck B, where Letters, Cables, Telegrams and Radiograms are received or delivered, and Postage Stamps can be purchased.
None of the ship's staff other than those on duty in the Purser's Office are authorized to accept Letters, Telegrams or Radiograms for despatch.
Charges Collected on Board. Passengers are requested to ask for a Receipt for any additional Passage Money, Chair or Steamer Rug Hire, charges collected for Radiograms, Cablegrams or Telegrams or Freight paid on board.
Passengers' Addresses should be left at the Purser's Office, in order that any letters received after Passengers have left the steamer may be forwarded.
Deck Chairs and Steamer Rugs can be hired on application to the Deck Steward, at a charge of $1.00 each for the voyage.
Valuables. For the convenience of Passengers, the Line has provided in the Purser's Office, a Safe 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 Line 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 accordingly advised to protect themselves by insurance.
Exchange of Money. The Purser is prepared, for the convenience of Passengers, to exchange a limited amount of English and American money, at rates which will be advised on application.
Baggage. Questions relating to Baggage should be referred to the Second Steward, who is the Ship's Baggage Master.
Wardrobe Trunks. Passengers are advised that it is not always possible to arrange for the placing of. Wardrobe Trunks in the' passenger accommodation in a position where they are easily accessible, also that there is frequently difficulty with regard to the landing of such packages owing to their exceptional size.
Baggage Room. For Passengers' special convenience all heavy baggage not placed in state rooms is stored in the baggage room, where it is available to the owner twice daily at 'hours as stated on the ship's notice board.
Dogs. Passengers are notified that dogs must be handed over to the care of the live-stock attendant, and cannot be landed in Great Britain unless a license has previously been procured from the Board of Agriculture, London. Forms of license must be obtained by direct application to the Department before the Dog is taken on board.
Travelers Checks, payable in all parts of Europe can be purchased at all the principal offices of the Atlantic Transport Line. These Checks are accepted on board Atlantic Transport steamers in payment of accounts, but the Pursers have not sufficient funds to enable them to cash these Checks.
Deck Games and Amusements. Deck Quoits, Shuffleboard, Bull Board and other games are provided on deck under the charge of the Deck Steward.
Chess, Draughts, Dominoes, etc., can be obtained on application to the Lounge Steward.
Special Notice for Round Trip Tourist Passengers
Passengers holding return tickets who are undecided about their European addresses should advise same to our nearest office in Europe by mail or in person as soon as possible after arrival abroad. If this is done by letter, please mention sailing on which you will return and accommodation reserved for you.
All Passengers holding return tickets are requested to communicate with our nearest office at least a week in advance of their sailing from Europe so that necessary formalities may be arranged in connection with their return passage.
🖼️ Noteworthy Images
Grouped together as voyage highlights before the closing thoughts:
Front Cover – Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, elegant design (GGA Image ID #1733fb7655).
First Page That Listed Passengers – Listing of senior officers & passenger names, emphasizing official structure (GGA Image ID #22e2c3971e).
General Information (Parts 1 & 2) – Schedules, medical rules, baggage info (GGA Image ID #22e33ed302, #22e365242e).
Special Notice for Round Trip Passengers – Travel continuity beyond this crossing (GGA Image ID #22e374d965).
Passenger Listings – Several parts captured (GGA Image ID #22e39c93e8 to #22e428bc1e).
TTC Sailing Schedules – North America to Europe and return, placing this voyage in the broader network (GGA Image IDs #22e47f1084, #22e4adbbd7).
Advertisement of IMM “Splendid Steamers” – Brand positioning across its many lines (GGA Image ID #22e4b39dd7).
📚 Relevance of the Minnesota’s Voyage
For teachers, students, historians, and genealogists, this passenger list is invaluable:
Social History – Shows how Tourist Third Cabin broadened travel access.
Academic & Religious Context – Professors and clergy highlight intellectual and spiritual exchanges.
Genealogy – Family groups like the Browers, Shatzkins, and Vandermeulens are strong research anchors.
Maritime History – Demonstrates how IMM marketed mid-range comfort to new demographics.
💡 Final Thoughts – Why This Passenger List Matters
The SS Minnesota’s 11 June 1927 voyage is a time capsule of interwar society afloat. It blends academics, clergy, doctors, artists, and middle-class families into one passenger community. This list captures the social mobility and democratization of transatlantic travel, with Tourist Third Cabin bridging the gap between luxury liners and steerage.
More than a roster of names, it shows how travel shaped cultural, academic, and family ties across the Atlantic in the 1920s. 🌍⚓
Title Page, SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e2c3971e
General Information for Passengers, Part 1. SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e33ed302
General Information for Passengers, Part 2. SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e365242e
Special Notice for ROutd Trip Tourist Passengers. SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e374d965
Listing of Senior Officers and Staff with a List of Passengers, Part 1 (A. Ackerman-Emily Brown). SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e39c93e8
List of Passengers, Part 2 (Cyril D. Buckwell-Fisher). SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e3b2779e
List of Passengers, Part 3 (Olivia Fletcher-L. Jones). SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e3f10427
List of Passengers, Part 4 (Carl Kefberg-Ruth E. O'Brien). SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e4032dfd
List of Passengers, Part 5 (Margaret Pope-Ralph Stock). SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e427d5ff
List of Passengers, Part 6 (O. P. Susmeyan-L. L. Young). SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e428bc1e
Time on Shipboard. SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e43fd0e3
TTC Sailing Schedule to Europe from North American Ports, From 11 June 1927 to 27 August 1927. Ships Included the Albertic, Belgenland, Calgaric, Cedric, Celtic, Devonian, Doric, Homeric, Lapland, Majestic, Megantic, Minnekahda, Minnesota, Pennland, Regina, and Winifredian. SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e47f1084
TTC Sailing Schedule from European Ports to North America, from 11 June 1927 to 9 September 1927. Ships Included the Albertic, Belgenland, Cedric, Celtic, Devonian, Doric, Homeric, Lapland, Majestic, Megantic, Minnekahda, Minnesota, Pennland, Regina, and Winifredian. SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e4adbbd7
Splendid Steamers of the IMM, Atlantic Transport Line, Leyland Line, Red Star Line, and White Star Line with Routes and Principal Offices and Agencies. SS Minnesota Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 11 June 1927. | GGA Image ID # 22e4b39dd7
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.
If you've found something here that helped your research, sparked a family story, or just made you smile, I'd love to hear about it. Your experiences and stories are the real reward for me. And if you'd like to help keep this labor of love going, there's a "Contribute to the Website" link tucked away on our About page.
📜 History is worth keeping. Thanks for visiting and keeping it alive with me.
