SS Amerika Archival Collection
Amerika (1905) Hamburg-American Line
Built by Harland & Wollt, Ltd., Belfast, Ireland. Tonnage: 22,225. Dimensions: 668' x 74'. Propulsion: Twin-screw, 18 knots. Masts and Funnels: Four masts and two funnels. Renamed: (a) America, (b) Edmund B. Alexander. WW1 Service: interned at Boston during World War I and in 1917 converted into an American troopship. Post War Service: After the War she was sold to the United States Lines and used on the Atlantic Ferry again as a passenger liner, under the name America. Ownership Change: Sold to the United States Government in 1932 and was laid up in the James River as a reserve transport. WW2 Service: During World War II, she was put back into government service and assigned the name Edmund B. Alexander.
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SS Amerika Passenger Lists 1907-1908
All Digitized Lists of Passengers for the SS Amerika Available at the GG Archives. Listing Includes Date Voyage Began, Steamship Line, Vessel, Passenger Class and Route.
Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
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SS President Lincoln Prepaid Passage Contract - 20 November 1907
Steerage Prepaid Passage Contract issued by the Hamburg America Line on 20 November 1907 for passage from Hamburg, Germany to New York on the SS Amerika, and a Train from New York to Ellsworth, Minnesota for a German Immigrant Family.
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Classic Ocean Liners, Volume 1: Berengaria, Leviathan, & Majestic
An absorbing and detailed account of the three ships: Berengaria, Leviathan, & Majestic, 50,000-ton dinosaurs of the transatlantic lines in the years before World War I.
The Fabulous Interiors of the Great Ocean Liners - 1984
Some 200 superb photographs—in long shots and close-ups—capture exquisite interiors of world's great "floating palaces"—1890s to 1980s: Titanic, Île de France, Queen Elizabeth, United States, Europa, more. Informative captions provide key details.
The First Great Ocean Liners in Photographs - 1983
Sumptuous volume recalls the glorious early years of elegant transatlantic travel. Over 190 historic photographs depict exterior and interior views of 101 great ocean liners, including the Virginian, Imperator, Vaterland, Bismarck, Lusitania, Mauretania, Balmoral Castle, Titanic, Olympic, Aquitania and dozens more. Full captions.
Great Passenger Ships of the World 1858-1912
This initial volume deals with Ships from 1858-1912, from the first passenger ship of over 10,000 GRT to be placed in service (the Great Eastern) to those unforgettable sister ships, the Olympic and Titanic — the first of more than 40,000 GRT.
Great Passenger Ships of the World 1924-1935
Volume 3 in the series covers the years 1924-1935 and includes the introduction of the well-known superliners Normandie and Queen Mary, both of which successfully competed for the prestigious Blue Riband award for the fastest transatlantic crossing.
Leviathan: "The World's Greatest Ship" Volume 1
The first volume takes us from the construction of the VATERLAND to the end of World War One when the VATERLAND, now the U.S.S Leviathan, was used as a troop transport and packed with fabulous photographs and reproductions of newspaper articles.
Lost Liners, Titanic to the Andrea Doria
Maps, charts, and diagrams make this handsome volume a valuable reference tool and a compelling evocation of that glorious era when floating palaces ruled the sea lanes.
Passenger Ships of the World - 1963
🎓 “A Global Voyage Through Steamship History for Historians, Genealogists, and Maritime Enthusiasts”
Eugene W. Smith’s Passenger Ships of the World – Past and Present (1963) is a masterfully curated encyclopedic reference that charts the rise, peak, and transformation of ocean-going passenger ships through nearly two centuries. Expanding upon his earlier Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific works, Smith offers a global maritime panorama that includes ships serving the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Oceania, as well as Canal routes and California-Hawaii shuttle lines.
🧭 This book is an essential resource for:
- Maritime historians seeking design evolution and fleet data
- Genealogists tracing voyages and shipping lines
- Educators and students studying transoceanic migration and tourism
- Ship modelers, naval architects, and enthusiasts interested in dimensions, tonnage, and speed
Pictorial Encyclopedia of Ocean Liners, 1860-1994
One of the most comprehensive pictorial references on ocean liners ever published, this superb chronicle by noted maritime historian William H. Miller, Jr., depicts and describes virtually every passenger ship of over 15,000 tons built between 1860 and the late 1900s.
Picture History of American Passenger Ships - 2001
Loving tribute to luxury liners documents more than 100 ships, including the Leviathan, the America, the Independence, the President Polk, and the United States. Detailed captions provide tonnage, speed, size, and passenger load information.
Picture History of German and Dutch Passenger Ships
Picture History of German and Dutch Passenger Ships is a superbly illustrated volume that documents a long line of great ships--from "floating palaces" such as the Imperator (1913) and the Vaterland (1914) to such luxurious cruise ships as the Statendam (1957), Hamburg (1969), the remodeled Bremen (1990), and the new Deutschland (1998).
The Only Way to Cross: The Golden Era of the Great Atlantic Express Liners
The book profiles the opulent lifestyles aboard such floating palaces as Normandie, Rex, Olympic, Amerika, Queen Mary, France, Mauritania, Queen Elizabeth II, Imperator, and Titanic.
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Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-Dover-Boulogne-Cherbourg-New York, from 29 July 1905 to 2 December 1905. Ships Included the Amerika, Blücher, Deutschland, Fürst Bismarck, Graf Waldersee, Hamburg, Moltke, Patricia, Pennsylvania, and Pretoria. SS Graf Waldersee Passenger List, 29 July 1905. GGA Image ID # 1f06676725
Twin-Screw Express and Passenger Steamship Services, and Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-Southampton-Boulogne sur Mer-Cherbourg-Plymouth-New York, from 23 August 1906 to 27 October 1906. Ships Included the Amerika, Batavia, Blücher, Deutschland, Graf Waldersee, Hamburg, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Oceana, Patricia, Pennsylvania, and Pretoria. SS Moltke Passenger List, 21 August 1906. GGA Image ID # 1e43a0cfd7
Sailing Schedule, Bremen-Galveston, Bremen-Cuba, Bremen-Savannah, Bremen-London, and Bremen-Hull, from 9 April 1907 to 12 September 1907. Ships Included the Amerika, Breslau, Cassel, Chemnitz, Frankfurt, Hannover, Hansa, and Köln. SS Chemnitz Passenger List, 6 April 1907. GGA Image ID # 1f766f1fa7
Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-Southampton-Boulogne-Cherbourg-New York and New York-Plymouth-Cherbourg-Hamburg, from 12 May 1909 to 19 June 1909. Ships Included the Amerika, Blücher, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Deutschland, Graf Waldersee, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Pennsylvania, President Grant, and President Lincoln. SS Blücher Passenger List, 12 May 1909. GGA Image ID # 1f892ff7a1
Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-Boulogne sur Mer-Southampton-Cherbourg-New York, from 7 October 1909 to 15 February 1910. Ships Included the Amerika, Blücher, Bulgaria, Cincinnati, Deutschland, Graf Waldersee, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Pennsylvania, President Grant, and the President Lincoln. SS Deutschland Passenger List, 7 October 1909. GGA Image ID # 1e41f7f6aa
Sailing Schedule, European Ports-New York, from 30 April 1910 to 16 November 1910. Ships Included the Amerika, Blücher, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Deutschland, Graf Waldersee, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Oceana, Pennsylvania, President Grant, and President Lincoln. NOTE:—All steamers eastbound to Hamburg call at Plymouth and Cherbourg, except the steamer GRAF WALDERSEE, which will sail to Hamburg directly. The steamer PENNSYLVANIA, which will carry Second Class passengers only, will sail directly from New York to Hamburg and from Hamburg to New York. The steamer GRAF WALDERSEE will also carry Second Class passengers only, beginning with her 11 September 1910 sailing from Hamburg. After that date, she will sail directly from and to Hamburg. Hamburg-American Gazette, May 1910. GGA Image ID # 2128049286. Click to View Larger Image.
Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Southampton, and Cherbourg, from 4 October 1912 to 20 February 1913 and Hamburg-Philadelphia from 7 October 1912 to 17 December 1912. Ships Included the Amerika, Cincinnati, Corcovado, Graf Waldersee, Hamburg, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Patricia, Pennsylvania, President Grant, President Lincoln, Pretoria, Prinz Adalbert, Prinz Oskar, and Victoria Luise. Assignment of Ship's Captains Included with Hamburg-New York Ships. SS Patricia Passenger List, 28 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 1ed91a7f1a
Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Southampton, and Cherbourg, from 4 October 1912 to 20 February 1913 and Hamburg-Philadelphia from 7 October 1912 to 17 December 1912. Ships Included the Amerika, Cincinnati, Corcovado, Graf Waldersee, Hamburg, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Patricia, Pennsylvania, President Grant, President Lincoln, Pretoria, Prinz Adalbert, Prinz Oskar, and Victoria Luise. Assignment of Ship's Captains Included with Hamburg-New York Ships. SS Patricia Passenger List, 28 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 1ed91a7f1a
Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-Bologne-Southampton-Cherbourg-New York, from 25 October 1913 to 19 February 1914. Ships Included the Amerika, Graf Waldersee, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Moltke, Patricia, Pennsylvania, President Grant, President Lincoln, and Pretoria. SS Pretoria Passenger List, 25 October 1913. GGA Image ID # 1ee4c20743
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Information for Passengers - 8 August 1907
Important! Passengers' attention is called to the ships rules and regulations, a copy of which will be found in each cabin.
Passengers are requested to inquire for their Mail at the Information office.
Souvenir Postal Cards will be furnished to Passengers free of charge by the Information office.
A complete safe deposit system, comprising about 150 steel boxes, similar to those found in banks, has been installed on steamers "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria" and "Amerika." The boxes are assigned to Passengers upon application to the Purser, and the rental is $ 1.00 and $ 2.00 for the trip, according to the size of the box. To ensure the safety of valuables, each depositor receives a check for identification.
The Marconi Wireless Telegraph Service.
Communication is established nearly every day with either shore-stations or passing ships. The operator will receive messages for transmission at the time and rate stated on the Marconi bulletin.
The Hamburg America Line is not responsible for the transmission of the telegrams.
Passengers and their friends are informed that an office has been opened in Paris at 35 Boulevard des Capucines (opposite Rue Scribe) for the special purpose of accepting wireless messages for transmission through Marconi Coast Stations to Passengers on steamers fitted with Marconi apparatus. All information in connection with the service may be obtained at the above office.
Inquiry Office
On the Roosevelt Deck of the S. S. Amerika, an Inquiry Office of the Passenger Department has been established. This Office furnishes information to Passengers concerning the sailings of our steamers, the railway services from the port of arrival into the interior, the Pleasure and Health Cruises arranged by the Hamburg-American Line, and the various personally Conducted Tours managed by the Company's Tourist Office (Reisebureau der Hamburg-Amerika Linie).
It also provides information concerning the despatch of baggage, customhouse arrangements, and other essential questions to travelers. At the Inquiry Office, tickets are issued for the return passage either from or to America, for railway journeys from the various ports of arrival into the interior, for Pleasure and Health Cruises, and for Conducted Tours on shore.
The Inquiry Office is where the letters and telegrams arriving on board for Passengers are kept and delivered. In connection with the Inquiry Office, there is a Bookstall of the firm Georg Stilke, Berlin.
The Information Office also has complete control of all matters relating to change of staterooms and charge of all unoccupied cabins.
Source: SS Amerika Passenger List - 8 August 1907
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A Real Floating Hotel. The SS Amerika Contains Lifts and a Grill Room. Top: Arrival of the Hamburg-American Liner Amerika at Dover, on her Maiden Voyage. Middle: A Lift on the SS Amerika, the Latest form of Luxury. Bottom: Up-to-Date Appointments on the SS Amerika Like this Grill Room with Separate Tables, Where Meals are Served à la Carte. The Bystander, 18 October 1905. GGA Image ID # 1f3cd0195d
The installation of lifts in the new Hamburg American liner the Amerika is a significant departure, as she is the first vessel to be so fitted. The convenience it brings is not to be underestimated. There is one electric passenger lift to carry seven people serving the main deck, the awning deck bridge, and the promenade, an after-goods lift that raises 500 pounds and serves the lower orlop, lower and main decks, and a forward goods lift for a load of 500 pounds serving the lower orlop and awning decks. In addition, there is a small service lift for raising 300 pounds between the main deck and the promenade. This departure, initiated by Messrs R Waygood and Co Limited of Great Dover Street, the holders of the King's warrant, is a testament to their commitment to enhancing the comfort of ocean travelers. (The Syren and Shipping, 26 August 1905: 225)
The Carlton Restaurant on the Hamburg-American Liner SS America, a Replica in Miniature of the Restaurant in Pall Mall. The Bystander, 8 November 1905. GGA Image ID # 1f3cf04e27
Electric Light Bath on the Steamship Amerika. Modern Sanitation, September 1906. GGA Image ID # 1f3d0552c1
Bathroom of Imperial Suite on the Steamship Amerika. Modern Sanitation, September 1906. GGA Image ID # 1f3d29bbb7
The Ritz-Carlton Restaurant on the Steamer SS Amerika. Die Hamburg-Amerika Linie 1897-1907. GGA Image ID # 2166f7ba73
The Steamer SS Amerika at the Kaiser Wilhelm Hoft in Hamburg. Die Hamburg-Amerika Linie 1897-1907. GGA Image ID # 2166f85e83
Stateroom Private Dining/Sitting Area on the SS Amerika. Die Hamburg-Amerika Linie 1897-1907. GGA Image ID # 216706a4e4
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The SS Amerika - 1905
The SS Amerika has just left Messrs Harland & Wolff's yard and will start on her maiden voyage this month. In all respects, the vessel is fitted and thoroughly up-to-date.
The vessel's furnishings show great taste and ingenuity, and the passengers can enjoy every comfort and luxury that recent invention has brought. No expense has been spared. Several paintings by Gottfried Hoper are hung in the principal sitting rooms, and a portrait of the Kaiser adorns the ladies' drawing room.
The watertight doors can be closed automatically and instantly from the navigating bridge, which, like the conning tower in a warship, is the center of the vessel's vital activity. A restaurant is installed on the Carlton principle and has a staff of waiters and chefs. There is an admirably equipped gymnasium on board.
The second intermediate and other passenger departments are less ornate, but in their way, they are nonetheless comfortable and complete. The electric light installation and other electrical appliances are a unique feature. They have all been supplied and fitted by Messrs WH Allen Son & Co Ltd Queen's Engineering Works Bedford.
The sizeable electrical plant consists of at least five 12 and 20-in by 12-in open vertical compound engines directly coupled to multipolar dynamos. Each has an output of 750 amperes at 100 volts when running at a speed of 230 revolutions per minute.
In addition, there is a daylight set placed above the water line. It consists of a 9 and 15 in by 9 in open vertical compound engine coupled to a dynamo with an output of 280 amperes at 100 volts when running at 300 revolutions per minute.
There are considerably over 3000 lights installed on board, a large percentage of which are 25 cp, the remainder being 16 cp. In addition to the ordinary bell installation, they have fitted the ship with a complete telephone installation throughout the passenger accommodation.
Electric ventilation has also been installed throughout, along with motors for many other apparatus such as electric lifts, hoists, boot cleaning machines, barber's brush machines, knife cleaning machines, dough mixers, etc.
The ship is also fitted out with electric radiators in cabins and saloons. In addition, much smaller apparatus such as electric steering telegraphs, electric whistle control bells in connection with watertight doors, and special automatic telltale arrangements with signal lanterns are present.
Her tonnage, The Amerika, was launched on the 20th of April, exceeding 20,000 in actual figures of 22,800. Her length is 670 ft, the beam is 74 ft, and her depth is 52 ft. Her height from the boat deck is 77 ft 6 in, and twin screws propel her.
There are eight decks, and electric elevators run through all five decks where passenger accommodation is available. The machinery is of the quadruple expansion balanced type, which reduces vibration to a minimum.
She is expected to be able to steam at twenty knots per hour. The captain, officers, and crew of 530 all told the engine staff of 132. The Amerika was intended for the Hamburg and New York passenger trade, calling at Dover and Cherbourg.
"The SS America," in The Steamship: An Illustrated Monthly Scientific Journal Devoted to the Interests of Shipbuilders, Marine Engineers, Electricians, and Shipbowners, Leith: John Lockie, C.E., Vol. XVII, No. 196, October 1905, p. 160.
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