SS Minnetonka First Class Passenger List, 25 July 1908 – London to New York

Front Cover, SS Minnetonka First Class Passenger List, Departing 25 July 1908 from London to New York, Commanded by Captain E. G. Cannons. GGA Image ID # 1735b6911e

Review and Summary: SS Minnetonka Passenger List (25 July 1908)

Ship Overview 🛳️

• Name: SS Minnetonka
• Operator: Atlantic Transport Line (part of IMM – International Mercantile Marine)
• Voyage: London → New York
• Date of Departure: 25 July 1908
• Commander: Captain E. G. Cannons

Ship Features: Launched in 1902, the Minnetonka was one of the large cargo-passenger vessels designed for both livestock transport and luxury first-class service. These dual-purpose ships were unique in balancing transatlantic commerce with comfortable accommodations for society’s elite.

Senior Officers and Staff

1. Commander: Captain E. G. Cannons
2. Surgeon: Mark Kelly
3. Chief Engineer: Robert Bell
4. Purser: A. H. Norfolk
5. Chief Steward: R. L. Evans

This reflects a well-rounded crew typical of early 20th-century Atlantic liners, balancing passenger service with technical operations.

List of Passengers, Part 1 (Mr. Percy Alden, M.P.-Miss Elsie Gray)

1. Mr. Percy Alden, M.P. (Note 1)
   
2. Miss Agnes Anderson
3. Mr. F. A. Archibald
4. Mrs. F. A. Archibald
5. Mrs. L. S. Armstrong
6. Miss Grace Battles
7. Miss Bax-Ironside and Maid
8. Miss Cecilia E. Beavan
9. Dr. George E. Beilby
10. Mr. Wm. Bell
11. Miss A. A. Belknap
12. Miss Pamela Berdan
13. Miss Thelma Bicknell
14. Miss Winiver Bicknell
15. Miss Esne Bicknell
16. Miss Margaret Bradley
17. Mrs. M. S. Brolaski
18. Mrs. Cattle
19. Miss Gwendolyn Cattle
20. Mr. George A. Chapman
21. Mrs. George A. Chapman
22. Mr. Percy A. Chapman
23. Mr. Charles Chrisfield
24. Mrs. Charles Chrisfield
25. Miss Clarke
26. Miss Helen Coe
27. Mrs. H. A. Coles
28. Mr. J. H. Comstock (Note 2)
    
29. Mrs. J. H. Comstock
30. Mr. Francis P. Conard
31. Mrs. Francis P. Conard
32. Mr. Mihran Costikyan
33. Miss Isabel Cressler
34. Mr. F. P. Cutting
35. Mrs. F. P. Cutting
36. Miss Gertrude Day
37. Mrs. Roshannah Edgerley
38. Miss Alice Farrell
39. Mrs. George Walton Flersheim
40. Miss Mirian Flersheim
41. Mr. D. Wilson Fly
42. Mrs. D. Wilson Fly
43. Mr. Gilbert R. Fox
44. Mr. George C. Fox
45. Mrs. L. C. French
46. Miss Alice Garland
47. Miss Cecilia Glading
48. Miss M. L. Gordon
49. Mrs. Marie Gosche
50. Mr. Wm. R. Grainger
51. Mrs. Wm. R. Grainger
52. Mrs. R. H. Gray
53. Miss Elsie Gray

List of Passengers, Part 2 (Mr. A. B. Hall-Mrs. Heury A. Wheeler)

1. Mrs. A. B. Hall
2. Mr. W. P. Hall
3. Miss H. K. Hammond
4. Miss Marie Hanley
5. Mrs. Horatio Harman
6. Mr. Alfred C. Harmer, Jr.
7. Mrs. Alfred C. Harmer, Jr.
8. Miss Clara Asbury Harmer
9. Mr. Jacob Hayman
10. Miss Mai Heddens
11. Rev. Hubert C. Herring
12. Mrs. Jas. M. Herron
13. Miss Sarah Herron
14. Miss Rhoda Herron
15. Rev. H. T. Heuser
16. Mr. S. P. Howard
17. Mr. Charles P. Huntington (Note 3)
    
18. Mr. George Irving
19. Mr. Harvey C. Irving
20. Miss E. C. Irwin
21. Mr. J. M. James
22. Mrs. J. M. James
23. Mr. Thomas L. Johnson (Note 4)
    
24. Mrs. Thomas L. Johnson
25. Mr. David A. Kennedy
26. Mrs. David A. Kennedy
27. Mr. V. Shaw Kennedy
28. Mrs. E. M. Kenyon
29. Mrs. J. D. Lindsay
30. Rev. Albert L. Longley
31. Mrs. Albert L. Longley
32. Mr. G. A. Lonsberg
33. Mrs. G. A. Lonsberg
34. Mr. Percy Lyndal
35. Mrs. Maria M. MacSloy
36. Mr. G. S. Maynard
37. Mrs. G. S. Maynard
38. Mr. Frank Melville, Jr.
39. Mrs. Frank Melville, Jr.
40. Mr. J. Ward Melville (Note 5)
    
41. Miss Anna Moore
42. Mr. James A. Neill
43. Mrs. Elizabeth Northrop
44. Mr. Edward M. Oldham
45. Mr. George B. Pegram (Note 6)
    
46. Miss Maud Clark Penn
47. Miss Martha Penn
48. Mr. Horace L. Plumb
49. Mrs. Horace L. Plumb
50. Master Edward W. Plumb
51. Mr. W. Putnam
52. Mrs. W. Putnam
53. Mrs. H. E. Putnam
54. Miss E. Putnam
55. Miss B. H. Pyle
56. Mrs. N. H. Rand
57. Miss Natalie H. Rand
58. Mr. Thomas Ross
59. Mr. H. Hardie Robinson
60. Mrs. Thomas Ross
61. Mr. Jacob A. Rus
62. Mrs. Jacob A. Rus
63. Master Rus
64. Master Payson Ryan
65. Mr. Edwin T. Sawtell
66. Mrs. Edwin T. Sawtell
67. Mr. Robert Schable (Note 7)
68. Miss Anna Shepard
69. Miss Lena Shoup
70. Mr. Theo F. Shuey
71. Miss Katharine Shuey
72. Miss Dorothy Shuey
73. Mr. J. O. Singmaster
74. Mrs. J. O. Singmaster
75. Master Singmaster
76. Mr. Crother Smith
77. Miss Josephine Smith
78. Miss Mary Story
79. Miss Christine Tomlins
80. Mr. J. G. Truman
81. Mrs. J. G. Truman and Maid
82. Mr. J. H. Truman
83. Mr. H. A. Truman
84. Mr. John A. Walls
85. Mrs. John A. Walls
86. Miss Eleanor P. Walls
87. Mrs. Henry A. Wheeler

Notes About Passengers

1. Sir Percy Alden, M.P. (1865 – 1944) was a British social worker, land reformer and radical Liberal Party politician.
2. John Henry Comstock (1849–1931) was an eminent researcher in entomology and arachnology and a leading educator. His work provided the basis for classification of butterflies, moths, and scale insects.
3. Charles Pratt Huntington (November 22, 1871 – October 15, 1919) was an American architect, born in Logansport, Indiana and educated at Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1893, and the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, from which he graduated in 1901. He later moved to New York City, where he designed Audubon Terrace and several of its original buildings for his cousin Archer M. Huntington in the early 20th century.
4. Thomas Loftin Johnson (July 18, 1854 – April 10, 1911), better known as Tom L. Johnson, was an American politician of the Democratic Party from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He headed relief efforts after the Johnstown, Pennsylvania floods of 1889, was a U.S. Representative from 1891–1895 and the 35th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio between 1901 and 1909. In 1903, he was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Ohio.
5. John Ward Melville (January 5, 1887 - June 5, 1977) was an American philanthropist and businessman active in the "Three Villages" in western Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. He donated 400 acres of land and money to establish the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1957, which has developed as a major public research institution.
6. George Braxton Pegram (October 24, 1876 – August 12, 1958) was an American physicist who played a key role in the technical administration of the Manhattan Project.
7. Robert Schable (August 31, 1873 - July 7, 1947) was an actor and assistant director, known for The Love of Sunya (1927), The Redhead (1919) and Nobody's Money (1923). He was married to Wilda Bennett.

Notable First-Class Passengers 🌍

Political Figures

Sir Percy Alden, M.P. (1865–1944): A British social worker, land reformer, and Liberal Party politician. His presence highlights the Minnetonka’s role in facilitating political and social discourse across the Atlantic.

Tom L. Johnson (1854–1911): Former U.S. Congressman and Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. He was known for progressive reforms and for leading relief efforts after the Johnstown Flood of 1889. His voyage reflects the transatlantic exchange of political thought in the Progressive Era.

Academics & Scientists

John Henry Comstock (1849–1931): Cornell University entomologist whose classification work on butterflies, moths, and scale insects is still foundational today. His presence demonstrates how scientific collaboration and study required international travel.

George Braxton Pegram (1876–1958): American physicist, later pivotal in the administration of the Manhattan Project. In 1908, he was an emerging scholar destined to influence global science and wartime research.

Architects & Designers

Charles Pratt Huntington (1871–1919): Harvard- and Beaux-Arts-trained architect, designer of New York’s Audubon Terrace. His presence highlights the cultural link between Europe and the booming American architectural scene.

Business & Philanthropy

John Ward Melville (1887–1977): Businessman and philanthropist. Later donor of land that established the State University of New York at Stony Brook. His appearance on the list captures a formative stage in the life of a future benefactor of American higher education.

Religious Leaders

Rev. Hubert C. Herring: A leading Congregationalist minister and social activist. Religious figures like him provided moral and community guidance for passengers at sea.

Rev. H. T. Heuser: Another prominent clergyman, representing the transatlantic connections between church communities in Britain and America.

Entertainment & Arts 🎭

Robert Schable (1873–1947): Actor and assistant director, later active in early Hollywood cinema. His career underscores the early role of ocean liners in linking stage and screen professionals across continents.

Information For Passengers

• Tea and Coffee... at 7 a.m
• Breakfast ... 8.30 a.m
• Lunch ... 1:00 pm
• Dinner ... 7:00 pm

Meals for Nurses and Children :—Breakfast, 8:00 am: Dinner, 12 noon, Tea, 5:00 pm

Please apply to Second Steward fot 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.

The Atlantic Transport Line has provided a Safe in the office of the Purser in which Passengers may deposit Money, Jewels, or Ornaments for safe keeping. The Company will not be liable to Passengers for the loss of Money, Jewels, or Ornaments, by theft or otherwise, not so deposited.

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 ,C1 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 Stateroom Baggage packed ready for removal directly on arrival, so that the transfer may at once be proceeded with.

Baggage Checked From Pier at New York To Destination.—Upon arrival in New York steamers are met by uniformed representatives of the Railroads, from whom tickets can be purchased and baggage checked from the pier to any point on the Lines of the Pennsylvania, New York Central, Lehigh Valley, and connecting Railroads.

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.

The Surgeon is authorized to make customary charges, subject to the approval of the Commander, for treating any Passengers at their request for any illness not originating on board the ship. In the case of sickness developed on board no charge will be made and medicine will be provided free in all circumstances.

Wireless Telegram Rates.

United States.—The minimum Marconi Rate, via Seagate, or through the medium of a passing steamer and this station is 4s. 2d. for ten words. Each extra word 3d.; text only counted; address and signature free; land charges additional; all fees must be prepaid.

The minimum Marconi Rate, via Babylon, Sagaponack or South Wellfieet (Cape Cod), or through the medium of a passing steamer and one of these stations is 8s. 4d. for ten words. Each extra word 6d.; text only counted; address and signature free; land charges additional; all fees must be prepaid.

The minimum rate via Siasconsett or Cape Race, or through the medium of a passing steamer and these stations is 12s. 6d. for ten words. Each extra word 9d.; text only counted; address and signature free; land charges additional; all fees must be prepaid.

The minimum Marconi Rate via Sable Island, or through the medium of a passing steamer and this station is 16s. 8d. for ten words. Each extra word is.; text only counted; address and signature free; land charges additional; all fees must be prepaid.

United Kingdom.—The minimum Marconi Rate via Crookhaven, or other stations in the United Kingdom, or through the medium of a passing steamer is 6s. for twelve words. Each extra word 6d.; every word in address, text, and signature counted; land charges additional all fees must be prepaid.

Ship To Ship.—Minimum Rate, 6s. for twelve words. Each extra word 6d.; every word in address, text, and signature counted, and all fees must be prepaid.

Daily Life on Board 🌐

Dining Schedule: Breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Lunch at 1 p.m., Dinner at 7 p.m.

Rules: Lights out by 11 p.m., smoking restricted, valuables safeguarded with the Purser.

Services: Telegraph, postage, currency exchange, Sunday Divine Service.

Wireless Telegram Rates: Detailed by region (United States, United Kingdom, Cape Race, Sable Island, etc.) showing the cost of cutting-edge communication in 1908.

Noteworthy Images 📸

Front Cover: Elegant typography and ATL flag — a hallmark of Edwardian maritime design.

Passenger Lists (Parts 1 & 2): Including annotated notes on VIPs, such as Percy Alden, Comstock, and Pegram.

Information Pages: Wireless rates, passenger services, and safety rules.

Track Chart of the North Atlantic: Blank memorandum of log provided for passengers to record their own voyage — a rare artifact of passenger engagement.

Relevance for Educators & Researchers 🎓

For Teachers & Students: This list opens discussion on Edwardian-era travel, immigration, politics, science, and culture. Students can research how figures like Pegram or Johnson influenced society.

For Genealogists: Passenger lists like this are invaluable for tracing family connections, especially among professional, academic, and political circles.

For Historians: The document illustrates transatlantic networking at a pivotal moment before World War I.

Final Thoughts 🌟

The 25 July 1908 passenger list of the SS Minnetonka is more than a record of travelers; it is a snapshot of early 20th-century transatlantic society. Featuring politicians, scientists, clergy, and entertainers, it reflects how ocean liners served as floating crossroads of progress, culture, and influence.

This passenger list matters because it demonstrates how ships connected global leaders, innovators, and ordinary travelers—a human network that shaped politics, science, architecture, and the arts on both sides of the Atlantic.

ATL Sailing Schedule, London-New York Service, from 1 August 1908 to 16 January 1909. Ships Included the Mesaba, Minneapolis, Minnehaha, and Minnetonka. SS Minnetonka First Class Passenger List, 25 July 1908. | GGA Image ID # 22e73aff65

Title Page, Listing of Senior Officers, List of Passengers, Part 1 (Mr. Percy Alden, M.P.-Miss Elsie Gray). SS Minnetonka First Class Passenger List, 25 July 1908. | GGA Image ID # 22e783bf34

List of Passengers, Part 2 (Mr. A. B. Hall-Mrs. Heury A. Wheeler). SS Minnetonka First Class Passenger List, 25 July 1908. | GGA Image ID # 22e7f94799

Information for Passengers, Wireless Telegram Rates, and Atlantic Transport Company Offices. SS Minnetonka First Class Passenger List, 25 July 1908. | GGA Image ID # 22e83f63e9

Atlantic Transport Line Track Chart of the North Atlantic Ocean and Memorandum of Log (Unused). SS Minnetonka First Class Passenger List, 25 July 1908. | GGA Image ID # 22e898f220