Part of the American group Carnival Corporation since 1989, the former Dutch company Holland America Line is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Officially founded in 1873 in Rotterdam, its original purpose was to provide a regular passenger and cargo shipping service between the Netherlands and North America. His first ship, the Rotterdam, an 82-metre, 1,700-ton freighter under sail and steam, began her first transatlantic voyage to New York on October 15, 1872. After calling at Le Havre and Plymouth, this brand new vessel arrives at his destination after 14 days of travel. She on board her 60 European migrants and several hundred tons of goods. On November 5, the ship left the American port to return to Rotterdam. A service she provided 64 times through September 1983. Just starting her 65th crossing to New York, the ship ran aground near the Dutch island of Shouwen. The crew and passengers are rescued but the boat cannot be saved, this accident ends her career prematurely.
The Rotterdam II, in 1878.
Many other ships succeeded him – quickly including a new Rotterdam – and came to swell the fleet, notably carrying several hundred thousand people between Europe and the United States, mainly Poles, Russians and Ukrainians. The lines also extended to South America and Indonesia, which then constituted the colony of the Dutch Indies.
