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The Hamburg-America Line and
the Gateway to the World
Between 1836 and 1914, over four million
people left the European continent from the Port of Hamburg, today Germany's
second largest metropolis. The transportation of emigrants started soon
after Hamburg merchants realized that the City of Bremen, as well as other
European ports were already developing a thriving business with America.
From 1841 to 1846, Hamburg had processed some 11,000 passengers, whereas
Bremen had already shipped 115,000 souls to America. In 1847, the
HAPAG (Hamburgisch Amerikanische Paketfahrt Aktiengesellschaft) was founded.
Yet, it was not until much later that the "Deutschland", the first HAPAG
ship set sail with just 220 passengers aboard. For years the company operated
with just 4 ships, until in 1856, the first steamer, the "Borrussia" was
built.
The year HAPAG was founded, a boy named Albert
Ballin was born in Hamburg. He would later take over his father's business
as an emigration agent. His energetic disposition as a multi-talented entrepreneur
led him into joining HAPAG in 1886. He would soon become its managing director
and would lead the company into the twentieth century. With the support
of Emperor Wilhelm II, the two largest vessels ever afloat under a German
flag were launched in Hamburg: the "Imperator" (1912) and the "Vaterland"
(1914). By 1892, HAPAG had started operation of its fleet from the Port
of Cuxhaven,
but with newly built facilities at Hamburg-Veddel and train services to
Cuxhaven, Hamburg remained the gateway to America for numerous men and
women, mainly Easter European transitory migrants and Jewish refugees.
Ballinstadt, Hamburg
is an exhibition and museum in Hamburg, which tells the story of the passengers of the Hamburg
America Line, named after the HAPAGs managing director Albert Ballin.
Research and Travel offers:
Heritage tours that
cover Hamburg
Guided tours in Germany
Research services for your roots in Germany
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