Until the middle of the 20th century, ships were the classic means of transport for emigrants.

In the following some emigration ships are presented, which exemplify the development of the transatlantic passenger shipping. The ships drove mainly on the Bremerhaven – New York / USA route.

Express steamer „ELBE“ (1881–1895)

The “ELBE” was built in 1881 by John Elder & Co. in Glasgow. The launch took place on April 4, 1881. The “ELBE” was the first express steamer … more ›

Express steamer „KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE“ (1897–1914)

When it was launched on May 4, 1897, the “KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE” was the …  more ›

Passenger and cargo steamer „COLUMBUS“ (1923–1939)

On April 22nd, 1924, the “COLUMBUS” was the new flagship of North German Lloyd in …  more ›

Turbine ship „BREMEN“ (IV) (1929–1941)

The sister ships “BREMEN” and “EUROPA” were the most modern high-speed steamers worldwide in the early 1930s. They drove…
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Full ship „BREMEN“ (1843–1850)

The full ship “BREMEN” was built as a whale catcher at the Rickmers shipyard in Bremerhaven and sent to the …   more ›

Barque „COLUMBIA“ (1862–1882)

The wooden barque “COLUMBIA” was built in Geestemünde (now a part of Bremerhaven) in 1862 on the …  more ›

Turbine ship „BREMEN“ (V) (1957–1971)

The “BREMEN” entered service in 1939 as the “PASTEUR” … more ›

Routes of NDL (around 1930)

Map with shipping routes of the North German Lloyd.
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