New-York tribune., 1922-01-06
and
German Line
Buy Six Ships
HoIlandia, Frisia, Limburgia
and Brabantia Obtained
From Royal Holland Line
for Transatlantic Runs

HAMBURG, Jan. 5.-Thc Hamburg
American Line and the American Ship
and Commerce Corporation have pur-
chased from the Royal Holland Lloyd
Line tho steamers TIolandia, F'rlsia.
Limburgia and Brahantia. which VIII
engage in the passenger service be-
tween Hamburg and Now York, and
also tho steamers Deutschland and Al
bert Balln. now in course OF construc-
tion.
The HoIandia and Frisia will ny the
German flag and the Limburgia and
Brabantia the American nag. ALTHOUGH
the four steamers will operate under
one management. An increase in the
capital of the Hamburg a american Limo
is said not to be intended. w. II. lar.
rlman, president of the American Shin
ana Commerce Corporation is at pres.
ent in Hamburg.
Marine men in New York wore
much interested in the transaction
because Of tho addition to the
american merchant marine of two
of the largest ships ever to sail
under the United States flag with the
exception of the iincrs seized from
Germany during the war. 1t is also
one Of the most important deals in
shnping since the armisticc.
The sales price Of tho Limburgia and
Brabantia. which arc OF 10000 gross
tons each. was not revealed by Il. II.
NJ. Robinson, vice president Of the
company. but he said that they were
considered "prizc" and that the fig
urcs were low.
TO Be Transferred at 0ncc
Mr. Robinson said that the shios
would be transferred 10 American
registry at once and would be placed in
operation on the North Atlantic, sail
ing between New York and Hamburg
with ports OF call in the English Chan
mel and France. The steamers arc now
running between Europe and South
America They will make their first
voyages to New York the latter part of
March or carly in April, Mr.. Robinson
said. The names of the ships will bo
changed.
In reply to questions yesterday Mr..
Robinson said that the new steamers
would be operated by the American
Ship and Commerce Corporation in
conjunction with the Hamburg Amcri-
can Lane, under the ONT agreement
signed in 1920. With the acquisition
Of these vessels the Hartman Line
will have five passenger ships in oper-
alton. including the third class vessels
Mount Clay. Mount Carroll and Mount
Clinton. At present tho Iamburg-
American Line has only thrcc-thc
fansa, Wucrtcmburg ana Bayern
Built in Germany
The Brabantia and LimburCia we're
built in Germany, originally to thc
order of the Hamburg American Line.
Work was suspended when the war
broke out and they were not com
pletcd until 1920. Before they were
finished they were sold to the ROYAL
Holland Lloyd. under whose fac they
first went into service. When the
American Ship and Commerce Cor
poration learned that the company
would entertain offers for the shins.
Mr. Robinson said, negotiations we're
begun at once.
The new steamers viii be operated
under the house flag OF tho United
American Lines, which is the operating
organization for the American shin
and Commerce Corporation. They arc
prac ctically sister ships, being approXi-
mately 595 feet long. - foe. in breadth
snd 40 feet in depth. Both arc oil
burning, triple screw steamers Of 17.5
knots. They have passenger accommo-
dations for 400 first, $50 second and
900 third class. They arc larger than
any passenger ships built in American