The Atlantic Transport Line, 1881-1931

Download or read book The Atlantic Transport Line, 1881-1931 written by Jonathan Kinghorn and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2012-01-27 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1881, the dynamic Baltimorean Bernard N. Baker established the Atlantic Transport Line, an American-owned but British-operated steamship company with service from London to New York that became famous for shipping expensive livestock and for carrying only first-class passengers. Although moderately sized, the company remained a significant presence in international shipping until World War I caused major business disruptions, followed by changed priorities during peacetime. Finally, the Great Depression led to its closure. This volume chronicles the history of the line and its absorption into J.P. Morgan's gargantuan and ill-conceived International Mercantile Marine Company against the background of efforts to revive the American mercantile marine. Descriptions of life on board Atlantic Transport Line vessels, individual histories of every vessel owned by the line, and biographies of key figures associated with the company make this the most complete account of this important player in the history of American trade.