Samuel Cunard (1787-1865), a Nova Scotian entrepreneur, revolutionised transatlantic travel in 1839. Securing a British government contract, he founded the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, offering the first scheduled steamship service across the Atlantic.

 

On 4th July 1840 the 1,156-ton RMS Britannia, left Liverpool and arrived on schedule in Halifax, Nova Scotia just ten days later. The RMS Britannia, Cunard's inaugural vessel, made history in 1840 by completing a successful ten-day voyage from Liverpool to Halifax. Within a year, Cunard's fleet expanded to four ships, providing the first timetabled weekly transatlantic service.

 

The three passenger list volumes record westbound sailing only, and offer a glimpse into the lives of those who embarked on these historic journeys. We know that Sir Samuel Cunard and his daughter travelled on board the first scheduled voyage, and the writer Charles Dickens sailed on 4th January 1842, along with his wife and female servant.

There are many other passengers we don't yet know about, and we welcome enquiries from researchers who might want to work with this unique resource.

Passenger List Volume (July 1840 - December 1844)

Passengers for Halifax and Boston, travelling from Liverpool. Westbound crossings for the following ships: Britannia, Acadia, Caledonia, Columbia, Hibernia. 

Passenger List Volume (January 1845 - September 1849)

Passengers for Halifax and Boston, travelling from Liverpool. Westbound crossings for the following ships: Cambria, Hibernia, Caledonia, Britannia, Acadia, Niagara, America, Europa, Canada. 

Passenger List Volume (September 1849 - August 1853)

Passengers for Halifax and Boston, travelling from Liverpool. Westbound crossings for the following ships: Caledonia, Europa, Cambria, Niagara, America, Canada, Hibernia, Asia.