Ellis Island Passenger Lists - 1933
Passenger lists for 1933 represent the souvenir list provided to the passengers of each cabin class (and other classes). Many of these souvenir passenger lists have disappeared over the years. Our collection primarily covers North American and European ports and ports in Australia and South Africa.
Our collection contains samples of passenger lists produced and printed by the steamship lines. These lists are often used to illustrate family history books for immigrants from this period.
Coveted by collectors and genealogists, souvenir passenger lists often offered beautiful graphical covers and information not found in official manifests because they focused on the journey rather than the destination.
1933-03-23 SS Bremen Passenger List
Steamship Line: North German Lloyd / Norddeutscher Lloyd
Class of Passengers: First and Second Class
Date of Departure: 23 March 1933
Route: Bremen to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
Commander: Captain W. Dähne
1933-04-21 RMS Alaunia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 21 April 1933
Route: Montreal to London via Plymouth and Le Havre
Commander: Captain H. A. L. Bond, R.D., R.N.R.
1933-05-12 SS Duchess of Atholl Passenger List
Steamship Line: Canadian Pacific Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 12 May 1933
Route: Liverpool to Québec and Montréal via Belfast and Greenock
Commander: Captain D. S. McQueen
1933-05-24 SS Washington Passenger List
Steamship Line: United States Lines
Class of Passengers: Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 24 May 1933 (Maiden Voyage)
Route: Hamburg to New York via Le Havre, Southampton, and Queenstown (Cobh)
Commander: Captain George Fried, USN, Retired
1933-07-27 SS New York Passenger List
Steamship Line: Hamburg Amerika Linie / Hamburg American Line (HAPAG)
Class of Passengers: First, Tourist and Third Class
Date of Departure: 27 July 1933
Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
Commander: Commodore Kruse
1933-07-29 RMS Berengaria Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Tourist
Date of Departure: 29 July 1933
Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
Commander: Captain E. T. Britten, R.D., R.N.R.
1933-08-10 SS Franconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cruise
Date of Departure: 10 August 1933
Route: Boston and New York to Havana, Nassau, and Bermuda
Commander: Captain J. C. Townley, R.D., R.N.R.
1933-08-23 RMS Majestic Passenger List
Steamship Line: White Star Line
Class of Passengers: Tourist
Date of Departure: 23 August 1933
Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
Commander: Captain E. L. Trant
1933-08-24 SS New York Passenger List
Steamship Line: Hamburg Amerika Linie / Hamburg American Line (HAPAG)
Class of Passengers: Tourist
Date of Departure: 24 August 1933
Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
Commander: Commodore Kruse
1933-09-02 RMS Berengaria Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Tourist
Date of Departure: 2 September 1933
Route: Southampton to New York via Cherbourg
Commander: Captain E. T. Britten, R.D., R.N.R.
1933-09-02 TSS Rotterdam Passenger List
Steamship Line: Holland-America Line / Netherlands American Steam Navigation Company (NASM)
Class of Passengers: First Class
Date of Departure: 2 September 1933
Route: Rotterdam to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
Commander: Captain J. Van Dulken
1933-09-28 SS Stuttgart Passenger List
Steamship Line: Norddeutscher Lloyd (North German Lloyd)
Class of Passengers: Cabin, Tourist and Third Class
Date of Departure: 28 September 1933
Route: Bremen to Halifax and New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Southampton, and Galway
Commander: Captain O. Prehn
1933-12-20 SS Albert Ballin Passenger List
Steamship Line: Hamburg Amerika Linie / Hamburg American Line (HAPAG)
Class of Passengers: First, Tourist, and Third Class
Date of Departure: 20 December 1933
Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
Commander: Captain Fuhr
1933-12-29 SS Washington Passenger List
Steamship Line: United States Lines
Class of Passengers: Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 29 December 1933
Route: Hamburg to New York via Le Havre, Southampton, and Queenstown (Cobh)
Commander: Captain John Jensen, USN, Retired
Other 1933 Passenger Lists Available at the GG Archives
- CGT-French Line SS Paris, 1933-07-31, Le Havre to New York via Plymouth, Commanded by Captain L. de Malglaive
- Cunard Line SS Franconia, 1933-08-12, Boston and New York to Havana, Nassau and Bermuda, Commanded by Captain J. C. Townley, R.D., R.N.R.
Please help us make our passenger list collection more complete. We would appreciate a digital copy if you have an 1933 souvenir passenger list. Please email us at history@ggarchives.com.
Recap and Summary of the Ellis Island Passenger Lists – 1933
The 1933 Ellis Island Passenger Lists document another year of economic struggles during the Great Depression, which continued to reshape the steamship industry. Transatlantic travel declined, first-class accommodations dwindled, and more ships focused on tourist and economy-class passengers.
However, new ships and services emerged, cruises remained popular, and certain luxury liners continued their prestige despite financial hardships. Notably, the SS Washington made its maiden voyage in May 1933, and cruise travel continued to thrive, especially in the Caribbean.
Key Themes in 1933 Ocean Travel
1. The Impact of the Great Depression on Transatlantic Travel
- A growing emphasis on economy travel:
- Many ships expanded tourist class, with some eliminating first class altogether (e.g., SS Stuttgart, SS New York, and SS Albert Ballin).
- Luxury liners like RMS Berengaria and RMS Majestic increasingly focused on tourist passengers.
- Declining immigration to the U.S.:
- Stricter immigration quotas and financial struggles led to a sharp decline in migration.
- Many passenger manifests were dominated by tourists, diplomats, business travelers, and wealthy expatriates.
- Shipping lines faced financial challenges:
- Some ships were withdrawn or operated at reduced capacity to cut costs.
- The merger between White Star Line and Cunard Line was finalized in 1934, a sign of ongoing struggles.
Why It Matters: The shift toward tourist and economy travel signaled a permanent change in ocean liner operations, where luxury gave way to affordability and efficiency in order to survive.
2. The Maiden Voyage of the SS Washington (May 24, 1933)
- One of the most significant events of the year, marking a new addition to the United States Lines fleet.
- First American-built liner in years, designed to compete with British and German vessels.
- Commanded by famed Captain George Fried, known for his heroic sea rescues in the 1920s.
Why It Matters: At a time when European liners dominated the seas, the SS Washington symbolized America’s efforts to remain competitive in ocean travel.
3. The Expansion of Cruises as an Alternative to Transatlantic Travel
- Cruise voyages thrived despite economic struggles.
- Notable cruises in 1933:
- SS Franconia (August 10, 1933) – New York to Havana, Nassau, and Bermuda
- TSS Stuttgart (September 28, 1933) – Bremen to Halifax and New York via Galway
- RMS Berengaria (September 2, 1933) – Tourist-class cruise
Why It Matters: Cruises became a growing segment of the industry, providing a leisure alternative to traditional transatlantic crossings.
4. European Dominance in Ocean Travel
- Germany’s SS Bremen remained a premier ship, maintaining first and second-class accommodations.
- Cunard and White Star continued operations, though both faced financial difficulties.
- French, British, and German lines still held most of the transatlantic market.
Why It Matters: The steamship industry remained competitive, but financial pressures would lead to major industry changes in the next few years.
Most Interesting Voyages of 1933
1. Maiden Voyage of the SS Washington (May 24, 1933)
- One of the most important ocean liner events of the year.
- First major U.S.-built liner in years, competing against European vessels.
- Commanded by legendary Captain George Fried.
2. SS Stuttgart’s Unique Route (September 28, 1933)
- Traveled from Bremen to New York via Halifax, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Southampton, and Galway.
- One of the few transatlantic voyages that included Galway, Ireland.
- Reflected the industry’s shift toward catering to tourist and third-class travelers.
3. SS Franconia’s Caribbean Cruise (August 10, 1933)
- A luxury cruise voyage despite the economic downturn.
- Traveled to Havana, Nassau, and Bermuda, offering an escape from the hardships of the Great Depression.
Key Historical Events That Affected Ocean Travel in 1933
1. The Great Depression’s Continued Impact on Ocean Liners
- Fewer first-class travelers led to a greater focus on economy travel.
- Passenger lists showed a shift toward tourists and expatriates rather than immigrants.
2. U.S. Strengthening Its Ocean Liner Fleet
- The launch of the SS Washington was a direct challenge to European dominance.
- The United States Lines sought to compete with British and German transatlantic services.
3. The Industry Moves Toward Consolidation
- The financial struggles of Cunard and White Star were worsening, leading to their eventual merger in 1934.
- Germany, France, and the U.K. still dominated the transatlantic market.
Conclusion – 1933: A Year of Change and Survival
- The Great Depression continued to reshape the industry, leading to a greater emphasis on tourist-class accommodations and fewer first-class travelers.
- The maiden voyage of the SS Washington represented America’s challenge to European supremacy.
- Cruises became a more significant part of the ocean travel industry, offering alternatives to traditional transatlantic routes.
- Financial struggles among major steamship companies signaled changes ahead, with the Cunard-White Star merger on the horizon.
By 1934, the industry would face even more changes, including major ship retirements, further emphasis on tourist-class accommodations, and the emergence of newer, more efficient vessels.
