Hamburg-American Line: A Legacy of Transatlantic Travel, Immigration, and Luxury Voyages (1847-1939)
Hamburg Amerika Linie / Hamburg American Line / Hamburg Amerikanische Packetfahrt Actien Gesellschaft (HAPAG)
Hamburg American Line was one of the major steamship companies to handle the immigrant trade. Their primary routes from Hamburg, Germany, to New York via Southampton were supplemented by other vessels that called on the ports of Portland, ME, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Galveston, and New Orleans, in addition to Canadian ports. The Hamburg-American Line lost almost the entirety of its fleet twice due to World Wars One and Two from the sinking of their ships and war reparations.
Hamburg American Line Archival Collections
Sorted in Date Order by Topic, Our Hamburg American Line Archival Collections include Passenger Lists, Vintage Brochures, Vintage Menus, Immigrant Passage Tickets, and Other Ephemera.
HAPAG Steamship and Ocean Liner Archival Collections
SS Albert Ballin Archival Collection
Albert Ballin (1923) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Autographs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Books; Provisioning the SS Albert Ballin - 1925; Hamburg-American Liner Albert Ballin Launched - 1922.
SS Amerika Archival Collection
Amerika (1905) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts; Books; Sailing Schedules; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Photographs; The SS Amerika - 1905.
SS Auguste Victoria Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Auguste Victoria available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Batavia Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Batavia available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
Berlin (1868) North German Lloyd Ship's History (Brief); Berlin (1875) American Line Ship's History (Brief); Berlin (1908) North German Lloyd Ship's History (Brief); Berlin (1925) North German Lloyd Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Immigrant Documents; Sailing Schedules; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Photographs; Books Referencing the SS Berlin; New SS Berlin Enters New York-Bremen Service - 1925.
SS Blücher Archival Collection
Blücher (1901) Hamburg-American Line Ship History (Brief); SS Blücher Specifications; Brochures; Photographs; Sailing Schedules; Advertisements; At the "Bottom of the World" - 1910.
SS Bremen (1896) North German Lloyd Ship's History (Brief); SS Bremen (1900) North German Lloyd Ship's History (Brief); SS Bremen (1929) North German Lloyd Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Passage Contracts and Tickets; Menus; Programs; Sailing Schedules; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Other Ephemera; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Photographs; Books.
SS Cincinnati Archival Collection
Cincinnati (1908) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Advertisements; Sailing Schedules; Senior Officers and Staff; Title Pages; Wireless Technology.
SS Cleveland Archival Collection
SS Cleveland of the Hamburg-American Line Pulling Into Harbor, c1910; Cleveland (1908) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Sailing Schedules; Title Pages; Senior Officers and Staff; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Photographs; Advertisements; Books Referencing the SS Cleveland.
SS Columbus Archival Collection
Columbus (1922) North German Lloyd Ship History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Fleet List; Photographs; Books; Other Ephemera; Advertisements; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Back Cover Images.
SS Deutschland Archival Collection
Deutschland (1899) Hamburg-American Line Ship History (Brief); Deutschland (1923) Hamburg-American Line Ship History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts; Programs; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Postcards; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Books Referencing the SS Deutschland.
Europa (1930) North German Lloyd Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Advertisements; Other Ephemera; Photographs; Postcards; Programs; Books.
SS Fürst Bismarck Archival Collection
Fürst Bismarck (1890) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief), Passenger Lists, Deck Plans, Sailing Schedules, Books Referencing the SS Fürst Bismarck, The New Steamship Fürst Bismarck -1891.
SS Graf Waldersee Archival Collection
Graf Waldersee (1898) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Back Cover Images; Title Pages; Senior Officers and Staff; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Advertisements; Wireless Technology; Other Ephemera.
SS Hamburg Archival Collection
Hamburg (1899) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Hamburg (1926) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Photographs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Advertisements; Books.
SS Imperator Archival Collection
Imperator (1912) Hamburg-American Line Ship History (Brief); Brochures; Posters; Photographs; Deck Plans; Other Ephemera; Books; The "Imperator," the Largest Vessel in the World - 1912.
SS Koning Wilhelm II Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Koning Wilhelm II available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Lessing Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Lessing available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
Moltke (1901) Hamburg-American Line Ship History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Sailing Schedules; Advertisements; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Photographs.
SS New York Archival Collection
SS New York (1851) Glasgow & New York Steam Ship Co. Ship's History (Brief); New York (1858) North German Lloyd Ship's History (Brief); SS New York (1888) American Line Ship's History (Brief); SS New York (1922) Greek Line Ship's History (Brief); SS New York (1927) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts; Menus; Programs; Track Charts; Sailing Schedules; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Passage Rates; Deck Plans; Photographs; Advertisements; Books Referencing the SS New York; Article: Early History of the American Line; Article: Sister Ships SS New York and SS Paris.
SS Patricia Archival Collection
Patricia (1899) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Title Pages; Sailing Schedules; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Wireless Technology; Services; Other Ephemera; Photographs; Books Referencing the SS Patricia; Back Cover Images; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Advertisements.
SS Pennsylvania Archival Collection
Pennsylvania (1873) American Line Ship's History (Brief); Pennsylvania (1896) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Back Cover Images; The Eighth Voyage of the SS Pennsylvania - 1874.
SS President Lincoln Archival Collection
President Lincoln (1907) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Books Referencing the SS President Lincoln; Article: New Hamburg-American Liner - 1907.
SS Pretoria Archival Collection
Pretoria (1897) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Menus; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Programs; Advertisements; Postcards; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Other Ephemera.
SS Prinz Adalbert Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Prinz Adalbert may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Prinz Oskar Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Prinz Oskar may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Prinzessin Victoria Luise Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Prinzessin Victoria Luise may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Red Cross Archival Collection
SS Red Cross Archival Collection includes Red Cross (1899) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Menus; Autographs; Photographs; and The European War and The American Red Cross - 1915.
SS Reliance Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Reliance available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Resolute Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Resolute available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Silesia Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Silesia available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS St. Louis Archival Collection
St. Louis (1895) American Line Ship's History (Brief); St. Louis (1929) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts; Deck Plans; Passage Rates; Other Ephemera; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Books; The New Ocean Steamers St. Louis and St. Paul - 1894; Description of the SS St. Louis - 1896.
SS Thuringia Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Thuringia available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Vaterland Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Vaterland available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Westphalia Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Westphalia available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
HAPAG Menus
1902-02-26 SS Deutschland Breakfast Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare for the steamship Deutschland of the Hamburg America Line featured a typical American fare including Buckwheat Pancakes, Omelots, Ham, Bacon, in addition to Rumpsteak, Calf's Liver and Grilled Vienna Sausages.
1902-03-02 SS Deutschland Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Bill of Fare from 2 March 1902 featured Eggs Périgueux Style, Potato-Pancake with Cranberries, and Omelet aux Confitures.
1905-05-26 SS Pretoria Dinner Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare from Friday, 26 May 1905 featured Striped Bass à la Meunière, Saddle of Veal, Wax Beans, and Mixed Ice Cream for dessert. The menu, printed in English and German, included a Concert Program.
1905-07-24 SS Moltke Luncheon Menu Card
Uniquely constructed Bill of Fare from 24 July 1905 consisting of 3 pieces of paper glued together by design. The quality graphics were common among German steamship lines of that era. Featured items included Iamb in Curry with Rice, Salmy of Ducklings with Olives, and Broiled and Fried Mutton-Chops.
c1911 SS Victoria Luise Breakfast Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare Card from circa 1911 featured an impressively large selection of items including Scrambled Eggs with Morils, with Mushrooms, Fried Eggs with Ham or Bacon, and Broiled Salt Mackerels. The reverse side of the Bill of Fare was printed in German.
1927-09-30 SS Deutschland Daily Menu Card
Vintage Third Class Bill of Fare from 30 September 1927 on board the SS Deutschland of the Hamburg America Line featured Boiled Eggs for Breakfast, Braised Fillet of Fish for Dinner, and Matjes Herrings, Bacon Sauce for Supper.
1928-06-30 SS New York Farewell Dinner Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare Post Card from 30 June 1928 featured Fried Filet of Perch Pike, Roast Duckling, and Mixed Ice Cream for dessert.
1930s SS Resolute Luncheon Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare from the 1930s featured Original Cold Fishes, Swedish Style, Small Tenderloin Steak with Smothered Onions, and Caramel Cream or Apple Pie for dessert. Bill of Fare printed in German, Swedish, and English.
1933-07-02 SS Hamburg Luncheon Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare from 2 July 1933 featured Philadelphia Pepper Pot, Roast High Rib, and Viennese Makronentorte for dessert.
1933-07-02 SS Hamburg Main Meal Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare from 2 July 1933 featured Philadelphia Pepper Pot, Steckrübenmus - German Style Ribs, and Vienna's macro-cake for dessert. In German with English Translation.
1936-07-03 SS Hamburg Breakfast Menu
Beautiful elaborate Bill of Fare from 3 July 1936 offered traditional American fare plus sirloin steaks, german fried potatoes, and Bologna.
1937-03-11 SS Hamburg Dinner Menu
Elegant Vintage Bill of Fare from Thursday, 11 March 1937 featured Fried Fillet of Haddock Meunière, Râgout of Tongue with Mushrooms and Dumplings, Risotto, and Cannelons with Whipped Cream for dessert. Printed in German and English, the Bill of Fare included a Music Program.
1937-07-30 SS Hamburg Breakfast Menu
Elaborate Bill of Fare for 30 July 1937 offered the standard American fare plus German favorites including Bacon and Eggs, Omelet with Herbs, Sirloin Steak, German Fried Potatoes, Liver Wurst, and Smoked Sausage.
1937-07-18 SS New York Anniversary Dinner Menu
This Bill of Fare celebrates the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Hamburg America Line (1847-1937). The Bill of Fare featured Eggs with Caviar, Boiled Turbot with Sauce Romain and Tournedos with Potato Croquettes. A Music Program is on the Back Cover.
1938-02-14 SS Reliance Valentine's Day Dinner Menu
Elegant and Ornate Bill of Fare for Monday, 14 February 1938. The meal featured a Fillet of Halibut, Tournedos, and Styrian Pheasant. Beautiful Valentine Themed Cover Illustration.
HAPAG Passage Contracts and Tickets
SS Hamburg Passage Contract - 6 July 1904
Original steamship contract dated 6 July 1904 Between the Hamburg America Line and The Breitmann Family consisting of two adults and four children of Russian Hebrew descent, for third class passage from Hamburg to New York aboard the SS Hamburg.
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 and a Train from New York to Ellsworth, Minnesota for a German Immigrant Family.
SS President Lincoln Prepaid Passage Contract - 13 January 1912
Colorful Receipt for the purchase of passage from Hamburg to New York via the Hamburg America Line with inland passage to McFreesport, Pennsylvania dated 13 January 1913.
SS New York Passage Contract - 16 September 1927
Emma Muessigbrodt, a 37 year-old German woman traveling from Hamburg to New York on the Hamburg America Line. She travelled in the Third Class. (English translation)
D. New York Beförderungsvertrag - 16. September 1927
Deutscher Vertrag über das Dampfflugzeug der dritten Klasse an Bord der SS New York der Hamburg-Amerika-Linie im Jahr 1927. Die Unterschrift des Passagiers ist schwer zu lesen. See the entry above for the English Translation.
In a world still reeling from the Great Depression, this vintage receipt dated April 11, 1932, for a round-trip ocean voyage aboard the SS Hamburg (eastbound) and SS Deutschland (westbound) is far more than a transaction—it’s a snapshot of educational travel, aspirational mobility, and mid-century global connectivity.
💼 A Fare to Hamburg: 1933 SS St. Louis Cabin Class Passage Receipt
The Hamburg America Line’s Receipt for part-payment of a cabin class voyage aboard the SS St. Louis provides a rich and nuanced window into the world of transatlantic travel during a tense pre-WWII era. Dated 28 April 1933, this receipt serves as a tangible link to an era marked by economic struggle, rising political tension, and the enduring human desire for connection across borders.
The SS Deutschland Passage Receipt and Contract from 5 June 1933 offers a compelling snapshot of European immigration during a pivotal era—just months after Hitler rose to power in Germany. This prepaid receipt, arranged by a Maryland-based relative, reflects not only the personal stories of transatlantic relocation but also the broader currents of 1930s migration, economic sacrifice, and the complexities of international travel by ocean liner. 🧳📜
This Hamburg America Line receipt, dated 22 February 1936, documents a third-class round-trip voyage for Mr. Otto Josh between New York and Bremen—first aboard the SS New York and returning on the famed SS Bremen. Though modest in appearance, this artifact offers a vivid snapshot of transatlantic mobility in the late interwar period, echoing themes of migration, commerce, and personal connection in a fraught historical moment. 🌍📜
HAPAG Periodicals
1910-05 Hamburg-American Gazette
The May 1910 issue of the Hamburg-American Gazette featured "Tourists Return from South America: Remarkable Success of the SS Bluecher's Cruise to the Straits of Magellan," "The SS Cincinnati Returns from Orient Cruise," and "Each Succeeding Season These Cruises are Coming More and More Into Favor With the American Traveling Pubic."
Many photographs including The Hamburg-American Piers at Hoboken (New York), USA, Dining Room of the SS Prinz Joachim, Showing New Arrangement of Small Tables on "Prinz" Steamers of the Atlas Service, Pier at Montevideo, Uruguay, and Captain Schülke of SS Cincinnati.
1935-04 The Seven Seas Magazine
Volume 14, No. 4, April 1935 issue of the Seven Seas, published quarterly by Hamburg America Line and North German Lloyd in New York featured articles on the Baroque Garden by Helen Appleton Read, Moslem Metropolis by Stoyan Christowe and two location articles on Salisbury and Baden ~ Baden. Lavishly illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. 32 Pages plus Covers.
1936 Winter - The Seven Seas Magazine
Winter 1936 Issue of the Seven Seas, Published Jointly by the Hamburg America Line and North German Lloyd. Featured Articles Included: Marburg on the Lahn, the Epitome of the Concept Mittelalterlich and the Seat of the First Lutheran University Founded by Philip the Magnanimous Landgraf of Hesse in 1523 by Helen Appleton Read, Roman Holiday by Charles G. Shaw and the City of Gay Night -- Budapest, Hungary by William B. Powell.
HAPAG Immigrant Inspection Cards
1912-04-24 Inspection Card - Austrian Immigrant
Fine example of an Immigrants and Steerage Passengers' Inspection Card issued on 24 April 1912 by the Hamburg America Line for an Austrian Immigrant on board the SS President Grant that departed from Hamburg, Germany arriving in New York on 7 May 1912. Passed American Ellis Island Inspectors on 8 May 1912.
HAPAG Brochures
1914 - Hamburg-Amerika Linie Nordseebäder-Fahrplan
Viele Fotos der Schiffe, Innenansichten und Bilder der Wahrzeichen von Hamburg, Deutschland, machen diese Broschüre zu einer ungewöhnlich guten Broschüre der Hamburg- Amerika Linie von 1914. Zwei farbige Karten enthalten die Nordsee und die Umgebung.
1914 - Hamburg America Line North Sea Resorts Timetable
Many photographs of the ships, interior views, and images of Hamburg, Germany landmarks help to make this an unusually good brochure from the Hamburg America Line in 1914. Two color maps are included of the North Sea and Vicinity.
1924 Brochure - The New Twin Screw Steamship Deutschland
8-Panel Flyer offers a quick look at the SS Deutschland, a 21,046-ton ship, launched on 28 April 1923 with her maiden voyage on 27 March 1924. Superb interior photographs create a visual feast of this elegant ship of the Hamburg America Line (HAPAG).
1928 Brochure - HAPAG - Across the Atlantic in First Class
Outstanding brochure from the Hamburg America Line captures the opulence of first-class transatlantic travel in the late 1920s. Rare interior photographs of public rooms such as the shopping plaza or promenade make this an excellent booklet.
1936 Brochure - HAPAG-North German Lloyd - Go Tourist Class
26-Page Brochure "Go Tourist Class" is a joint production of HAPAG-NDL. Profusely Illustrated with interior photographs of Tourist Class accommodations and ships of both lines that carried passengers of that class. A superb brochure produced for American tourist of the Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany.
1937 Brochure - HAPAG-NDL Ships in the Transatlantic Service
14-page small format brochure produced jointly by HAPAG-LLOYD welcomes you to Germany in 1937 on their transatlantic ships Bremen, Europa, Columbus, New York, Hamburg, Hansa, Deutschland, St. Louis, and Berlin. Brief information along with a photograph of each ship is included in this booklet.
HAPAG - Cabin and Third Class on the MS St. Louis - 1938
1938 8-page, large format brochure from the Hamburg America Line presents views of the rooms and decks enjoyed by the cabin and third-class passengers aboard the MS St. Louis. Captions and text were provided in German and English. The English versions are provided below.
In The Third Class to North America - 1938
This is a well-preserved brochure that was published before the beginning of the European conflict that became World War II. Superb photography makes this an exceptional record of the Third Class accommodations on the steamships Deutschland, New York, Hamburg, and the Hansa.
In der Dritten Klasse nach Nordamerika - 1938
Es handelt sich um eine gut erhaltene Broschüre veröffentlicht wurde, dass vor dem Beginn des europäischen Konflikt, der sich aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg. Superb Fotografie macht dies ein Rekord excecptional der dritten Klasse Unterkünfte auf dem Dampfer Deutschland, New York, Hamburg und die Hanse.
HAPAG Concert and Event Programs
1933-07-27 Social Events Program - SS New York
Program of Social Events for a voyage of the SS New York of the Hamburg America Line beginning 27 July 1933. Events included Movies, Concerts, "Get-Togethers," and Dances. Two of the movies shown were self-promotional world cruises aboard a HAPAG ocean liner.
1936-08-27 Voyage Events Program - SS Deutschland
Tourist Class Events Program on the SS Deutschland of the Hamburg America Line for the voyage beginning 27 August 1936. Activities included Dances, Movies, Concerts, "Get-Togethers," Horse Races, Beer Parity, and Horse Races.
1939-05-11 Social Events Program - SS New York
Social Events Program for the transatlantic voyage on the SS New York of the Hamburg America Line beginning 11 May 1939. Featured events included Tea Concerts, Horse Races, Dancing, Movies, Fancy Dress Ball, and News Reels.
HAPAG Other Ephemera
1922-06-15 Passenger Transport Notification
You will need a passport to your (Homeland) which a registration will be accepted he must exit from Hamburg to New York until the day of departure elected ships tips or a week longer applies.
Provisioning A Transatlantic Liner - 1901
The Scientific American article from June 29, 1901, details the provisions for passengers, crew, and coal for the boilers needed for a transatlantic voyage of the North German Line Steamship Deutschland. The ship's capacity, including passengers and crew, was 1,617.
Postcards from the Hamburg-American Line
Postcards from the Hamburg-American Line
Small Collection of rare Hamburg-American Line postcards. Our series of postally used and unused postcards date from the early 1900s.
Route Maps, Track Charts, and Other Maps
Status of Ships of the Hamburg-American Line on 5 April 1909. GGA Image ID # 20d2a1d27d. Click to View Larger Image.
Hamburg-American Line Track Chart (Unused) of the Atlantic Ocean, 1929. GGA Image ID # 177cc9384d
Advertisements
Insert: Faster Across the Atlantic, 1929. GGA Image ID # 176fa685cb
Fleet List
Hamburg-Amerika Linie Fleet List, 1909. SS Deutschland Passenger List, 7 October 1909. GGA Image ID # 1e4210cdee. Click to View Larger Image.
Books Referencing the Hamburg-American Line
The Great Liners: The Seafarers, Volume 4
A history of the world's famous luxury liners provides portraits of the ships. It examines such great disasters as the sinking of the Titanic. This edition explores the grand hotels that traversed the Atlantic between 1840 and 1930.
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.
Leviathan: "The World's Greatest Ship" Volume 2
Volume 2 picks up the LEVIATHAN saga during her monumental conversion from a troop ship to a luxury liner and carries the ship’s tempestuous life up through her first round trip as a U.S. express liner. The book finishes with the SS Leviathan's triumphant return to the Atlantic.
With Ninety-six Illustrations. Few books will leave the press during this holiday season that are as solid and satisfying in their matter and as sumptuous in their form as this volume—over 30 High-Quality Images. Follow the Book' Description.
Passenger Ships of the World - 1963
Passenger Ships of the World, 1963, represents an incredible resource covering passenger ships that are Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, Trans-Pacific via Panama Canal, Latin American, Africa and the Eastern Oceans, and California-Hawaii.
Spanning the Atlantic - Cunard Line
The uninterrupted progress of the Cunard Line, without retrogression and almost without mishap, stands beyond the possibility of envy as a matchless human achievement. F. Lawrence Babcock presents an early history of the Cunard Line with the social and cultural history of the passengers, officers, and crew.
Transatlantic and the Great Atlantic Steamships
A stirring narrative of the rapid development of the great transatlantic steamships, from paddle-wheelers to the sleek luxury greyhounds of the modern era -- and the men who designed and ran them.
Review and Summary of the Hamburg-American Line Archival Collection
Introduction to the Hamburg-American Line (HAPAG)
The Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft (HAPAG), or Hamburg-American Line, was one of the most influential shipping companies of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1847, it played a key role in European immigration to North America, transatlantic commerce, and the development of luxury ocean liners.
With primary routes from Hamburg to New York via Southampton, the Hamburg-American Line also operated ships that served ports in Canada, the U.S. East Coast (Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Galveston, New Orleans, Portland, ME), and even South America.
This collection offers a comprehensive archive of passenger lists, brochures, tickets, menus, ship photographs, and immigrant records, making it an essential resource for researchers, genealogists, educators, and maritime historians.
Key Highlights from the Collection
1. Immigration and the Hamburg-American Line
HAPAG was one of the leading carriers of European immigrants to the United States, making this collection particularly valuable for family historians and genealogists.
Notable Immigration Records in the Collection:
- 1907 Steerage Prepaid Passage Contract for a German immigrant family.
- 1912 Immigrant Inspection Card issued aboard the SS President Grant, showing the U.S. government’s process for handling arrivals at Ellis Island.
- 1927 SS New York Third-Class Passage Contract, an example of documentation for steerage passengers.
Why It’s Interesting:
These original passenger manifests, tickets, and contracts provide a firsthand look at the immigrant experience, including the paperwork required for passage, accommodations in steerage, and the journey to a new life in America.
2. Notable Ships and Their Transatlantic Journeys
This collection provides detailed records and ephemera from many of Hamburg-American Line’s most famous ships.
Important Ships in the Collection:
- SS Amerika (1905): One of the earliest German luxury liners.
- SS Albert Ballin (1923): Named after the legendary shipping magnate.
- SS Auguste Victoria (1897): One of the first dedicated passenger ships.
- SS Imperator (1912): Once the largest ship in the world, featuring opulent interiors.
- SS Deutschland (1899 & 1923): A record-setting speed champion.
- SS St. Louis (1929): The infamous ship that carried Jewish refugees during WWII.
Each ship's brochures, passenger lists, and photographs help researchers understand the evolution of ocean travel, from immigrant voyages to high-end transatlantic luxury.
3. Onboard Life: Menus, Brochures, and Social Events
The Hamburg-American Line was known for its high standards of service, and this archive preserves an authentic glimpse into life aboard their ships.
Dining on Board
- 1902 SS Deutschland Breakfast Menu featured Buckwheat Pancakes, Rumpsteak, and Vienna Sausages.
- 1905 SS Pretoria Dinner Menu included Striped Bass à la Meunière and Saddle of Veal.
- 1938 SS Reliance Valentine's Day Dinner Menu highlighted Fillet of Halibut and Styrian Pheasant.
Social and Entertainment Programs
Passengers aboard Hamburg-American ships had access to a variety of cultural and leisure activities:
- 1933 SS New York Social Events Program: Featured movies, dances, concerts, and "Get-Togethers."
- 1936 SS Deutschland Tourist-Class Events: Included horse races, beer parties, and evening dances.
- 1939 SS New York Fancy Dress Ball: A glamorous event on the eve of WWII.
Why It’s Interesting:
These menus and event programs show how German liners competed with British and American ships by offering top-tier dining, entertainment, and social experiences.
4. Brochures and Advertisements: Selling the Hamburg-American Experience
The Hamburg-American Line aggressively marketed their ships to both immigrants and luxury travelers.
Notable Brochures and Ads:
- 1914 North Sea Resorts Timetable: Promoted travel from Germany to North Sea vacation destinations.
- 1924 SS Deutschland Brochure: Featured elegant interiors of one of the line’s top transatlantic ships.
- 1936 HAPAG/North German Lloyd "Go Tourist Class" Brochure: Targeted American travelers heading to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
- 1938 "In Third Class to North America" Brochure: Showed an inside look at budget travel accommodations for working-class passengers.
Why It’s Interesting:
These advertisements offer insight into how ocean liners were marketed, reflecting economic and social class divisions in travel.
Why This Collection is Valuable to Different Audiences
For Historians and Ocean Travel Enthusiasts:
- Explores the technological advancements and luxury developments in ocean liners.
- Details the company’s rise, fall, and rebirth after the World Wars.
- Highlights the social structure and onboard experiences of different passenger classes.
For Genealogists and Family Historians:
- Provides passenger lists, immigrant contracts, and original tickets, critical for tracing family ancestry.
- Documents steerage travel, including real examples of paperwork used by immigrants.
For Teachers and Students:
- Supports history lessons on immigration, industrialization, and global travel.
- Helps illustrate how transatlantic travel transformed before the Jet Age.
- Offers insight into the lives of immigrants, from documentation to shipboard experiences.
Final Thoughts
The Hamburg-American Line Archival Collection offers a rich and detailed history of transatlantic travel, covering both immigrant journeys and elite luxury experiences.
For historians, genealogists, and maritime enthusiasts, these records serve as a portal into the past, showcasing an era when ocean liners were the primary link between Europe and the Americas.
This collection preserves the stories of those who traveled aboard these grand vessels, ensuring that their experiences remain a part of our shared maritime history.
