The SS Brandenburg
The SS Brandenburg was built in 1902 for the North German Lloyd Lines of Bremen by Vulkan in Vegesack. It was a 7,532 gross ton ship with double masts and a speed of approximately 13 knots. It had a capacity for 60 second-class passengers and 1,660 third-class passengers. First and second class passengers were called "ladies and gentlemen." Steerage passengers were jammed together much like cargo down below.
Early in 1902, the two great German lines, Hamburg-American and North German Lloyd reached a 10-year agreement with J. Pierpont Morgan that affiliated them and brought joint policies to avoid undue competition. J. P. Morgan was a renowned banker, railroad tycoon, and a yachtsman. His banking empire boosted assets of $162 million in 1900. In April 1902, Morgan announced the formation of the Mercantile Marine Company with a $170 million capital, and in 1902, the North German Lloyd lines carried 32,770 passengers from central Europe. Peak years of travel to the United States of America were 1907 and 1908, when emigration topped one million. Virtually all those traveling in "steerage" (3rd class) were emigrates. The price they paid was $50.00 in 1910, as compared to $4,000.00 for the cost of a luxury suite. Some years there was a ten percent(10%), mortality rate because of the unsanitary and overcrowed conditions. However, the German lines were cleaner than others, even though the North German Lloyd (from Bremen in 1913), logged 16,268 in 1st class; 28,311 in second class, and 131,081 in steerage to Ellis Island, New York; as recorded on January 1, 1914 (in 126 trips across the Atlantic). By 1920 stict quotas were established and ships were required to have safer facilities with less crowding.
The SS Brandenburg was launched on its first voyage on December 21, 1901. She sailed on her maiden voyage to New York on March 22, 1902. She first voyage from Bremen to Baltimore was July 14, 1910; and he first voyage between Bremen and Philadelphia was July 23, 1914.
VOYAGES OF THE STEAMSHIP BRANDENBURG
***note that some Bremen port records were lost, so this is NOT a complete listing!
First voyage was on July 14, 1910 by one account.
***From Bremen, Germany to Boston, Massachusetts; I noted that it sailed on April 28, 1914, but was unable to copy the rest before the library closed. Information is from the Latter Day Saints Passenger Lists.
In 1915, the SS Brandenburg was sold and it became a member of the Lloyd Italiano Lines and was called the Lloyd Sabudo
Then she was sent to Trondhjem, Norway where she was interned. In 1919, she was surrendered to Great Britain as war reparations. Her name was unchanged until 1922, when she became a member of the Alfred Holt's Blue Funnel Line as the Hecuba and then in July 1922, she was run down while at anchor in Constantinople by the Byron vessel "Maid of Milos." In 1925 she was scrapped after 24 years of service. The turnover of liners was a simple matter of ever changing technology. The North German Lloyd Line launched its new 50,000-tonners, the Bremer and Europa circa 1927. These new ships won the Blue Riband for speed and allowed crossings, of the Atlantic, once a week.
RELATED SITES ON THE WEB:
Written and researched by Margaret Odrowaz-Sypniewska
From Bremen, Germany to New York City, New York: USA:
1902:
April 7, 1902 May 26, 1902 December 22, 1902 ... ...
1903:
December 26, 1903 ... ... ... ...
1904:
February 8, 1904 April 11, 1904
Express Steamer December 18, 1904 ... ...
1905:
January 29, 1905
Express Steamer. March 12, 1905 October 12, 1905 ... ...
1906:
January 5, 1906
Express Steamer. November 3, 1906 ... ... ...
1907:
March 10, 1907
Regular Service April 13, 1907 May 20, 1907 October 2, 1907 November 24, 1907
1909:
January 9, 1909 February 6, 1911 February 17, 1909 March 30, 1909 ...
1910:
December 27, 1910 ... ... ... ...
1913:
March 28, 1913 June 12, 1913 April 30, 1914 ... ...
From Bremen, Germany to Baltimore, Maryland; USA
1904:
Apr. 13, 1904 May 19, 1904 Jun. 30, 1904 Aug. 10, 1904 Sept. 21, 1904 Nov. 2, 1904 Dec. 21, 1904
1905:
Apr. 19, 1905 Jun. 1, 1905 Jul. 12, 1905 Aug. 30, 1905 Oct. 14, 1905 Nov. 23, 1905 ...
1906:
Feb. 15, 1906 Apr. 8, 1906 Jun. 8, 1906 Jul. 20, 1906 Aug. 30, 1906 Dec. 11, 1906 ...
1907:
Jan. 24, 1907 July 20, 1907 Oct. 4, 1907 Nov. 14, 1907 Dec. 27, 1907 ... ...
1908:
Feb. 7, 1908 Oct. 22, 1908 ... ... ... ... ...
1909:
Dec. 2, 1909 ... ... ... ... ... ...
1910:
Apr. 6, 1912 May 23, 1912 Jul. 6, 1912 Aug. 25, 1912 Sept. 27, 1912 Nov. 7, 1912 Dec. 19, 1912
1913:
Jan. 31, 1912 Oct. 24, 1913 Nov. 28, 1913 ... ... ... ...
From Bremen, Germany to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; USA
1911:
June 29, 1911 August 23, 1911 October 18, 1911 December 1, 1911
1912:
January 26, 1912 April 4, 1912 August 21, 1912 December 15, 1912
1913:
May 3, 1913 August 2, 1913 December 25, 1913 ...
1914:
March 6, 1914 August 5, 1914 ... ... 
The SS Brandenburg Photo
Immigrant Ships
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