Durban, South Africa Passenger Lists 1926-1954

Passenger Lists available from the GG Archives from the Port of Durban, South Africa. Organized by Date of Departure, Steamship Line, Steamship or Ocean Liner, Class of Passengers, Route, and the Ship's Captain.

Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. It is also the second most important manufacturing hub in South Africa after Johannesburg. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa and Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism because of the city's warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches.

Passenger Manifest, Aberdeen Line TSS Demosthenes - 1926 - Front Cover

1926-01-16 TSS Demosthenes

Steamship Line: Aberdeen Line
Class of Passengers: Saloon
Date of Departure: 16 January 1926
Route: Australia to the United Kingdom via South Africa and Spain
Port of Calls: Melbourne » Fremantle » Durban » Capetown » Tenerife » Southampton
Commander: Captain F. A. Orriss

Front Cover of a Cabin Passenger List from the SS City of New York of the American South African Line, Departing 21 July 1937 from Beira to New York

1937-07-21 SS City of New York Passenger List

Steamship Line: American South African Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 21 July 1937
Route: Beira to New York via Lindi, Dar-Es-Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanga, Mombasa, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Capetown, and the Island of Trinidad
Commander: Captain C. W. Schmidt, Lt. Cmdr. USNR

Front Cover, Union-Castle Line RMMV Stirling Castle Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List - 13 July 1939.

1939-07-13 RMMV Stirling Castle Passenger List

Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin
Date of Departure: 13 July 1939
Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London,
Commander: Captain H. R. Northwood

1949-04-21 Passenger List for the R.M.M.V. Capetown Castle

1949-04-21 R.M.M.V. Capetown Castle

Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First and Cabin Class
Date of Departure: 21 April 1949
Route: Southampton for Capetown, Port Elizabeth, East London, and Durban via Madeira
Commander: Captain W. D. Roach

Front Cover, Union-Castle Line RMS Warwick Castle First Class and Tourist Passenger List - 15 December 1949.

1949-12-15 RMS Warwick Castle Passenger List

Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First Class and Tourist
Date of Departure: 15 December 1949
Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and East London
Commander: Captain J. Trayner

1954-12-09 Passenger List for the R.M.M.V. Winchester Castle

1954-12-09 R.M.M.V. Winchester Castle

Steamship Line: Union-Castle Line
Class of Passengers: First and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 9 December 1954
Route: Southampton to Durban via Madeira, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and East London
Commander: Captain G. W. B. Lloyd

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.

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