Kaden-Kornish Line

The Kaden-Kornish Line was a Kaden shipping line focusing mostly of passenger crossings between Philadelphia and Conia. The company was founded in 1839 under the name Koniserad National Steamship Co. It changed its name to Kaden-Kornish Line after the Koniserad Civil War. The company operated until it went bankrupt in 1963.

## Company Info

### Founded

May 1st 1839 (as Koniserad National Steamship Company)

### Routes

Philadelphia-ConiaPhiladelphia-HochroterberghPhiladelphia-AspyaPhiladelphia-Puroux

## History

### Early years(1839-1859)

The Koniserad Government started to operate daily routes between Philadelphia and the capital of the Kornish Territory, Konia, in 1822. Initially, the government operated it, but parliament member Wilfred Knoll suggested the creation of a separate company to take over operations of the line. Two lines were formed, the Black Ball Line and the Fallman Line. The Black Ball Line was formed by the government while the Fallman Line was a separate company founded by Richard Fallman. In 1839, Knoll acquired both companies, merged them together, and founded the Koniserad National Steamship Co. The KNSC operated under his control until his death in 1855, when it was taken over by company Vice President Richard Hannover. Hannover led the company for four more years, until the Koniseradi Civil War, when it was taken over by the Koniserad government.

### Civil War Role (1859-1864)

The role of the company shifted dramatically, from carrying the wealthy elite to exotic locations, to carrying soldiers to the front lines of combat. The company was put under the direct control of the Koniserad Navy, and led by Admiral James C. Fallard. Fallard made the decision to convert all passenger ships into troop transports, including some of the company's most luxurious and beloved liners. No ship was spared from this shift in policy. Over the course of the war, the KNSC moved more than 1 million soldiers, but lost over 30 ships, some of which were passenger liners, including the then largest liner in the world, *SS Bokara.*

### Post War Depression and Revitalization (1864-1888)

After the war, the company changed its name to the Kaden-Kornish Line, to better suit the times. After having lost more than half its fleet, with the remainder being little more than run-down husks of what they once were, the company was in a poor financial situation. They decided to capitalize off the post-war immigration spike that occured. Then President J, Sheridan had all remaining ships converted into immigrant liners, given the bare minimum facilities, and set them about on runs between Philadelphia and Conia, the largest immigration passage after the war. This lasted until around 1888, when President Sheridan retired and the immigration market ran almost dry. They had racked in roughly 110 million dollars in the 24 year span, and were able to purchase newer, larger, and more luxurious ships, to get them set back on course for luxury ocean crossings.

### Golden Age of Ocean Travel (1888-1932)

In the late 1800s, most of the western world was thriving economically. In an era known as the "golden age of ocean travel," many shipping companies saw exponential growth, so too did the Kaden-Kornish Line. At the time, it was one of, if not the largest shipping company in the world, offering first class service to all walks of life. "Even an immigrant can live in luxury," as many promotional posters around this time stated. Ships also saw exponential growth. The *SS Kornland,* built in 1910, was the largest liner to ever float, and held that title until 1929, when the *SS Kaden* took the title, and the record for fastest oceanliner. During this time, many ships were loaned to the Kaden Government for use as troop transports, earning the company more money. The company's fleet size grew from 38 in 1888, to 75 by the end of 1932. During this time, the Kaden-Kornish Line also made deals with many railroads, such as the Kaden Railroad, to transfer passengers to take them to inland destinations.

### Decline of the Ocean Liner industry (1932-1963)

In 1932, many shipping companies started recording their first financial losses in decades. In 1935, this happened to the Kaden-Kornish Line. Competition from air travel was too great. In the time it took for one ship carrying 2,000 people to go between Philadelphia and Conia, a single plane could carry a comparable amount, and for cheaper. While air travel didn't have all of the amenities as ocean liners, speed was often key. While the Kaden-Kornish Line built faster and faster ships, some ships able to go upwards of 40kts (46mph, 74kph), it was still no match for the speed of airliners. By 1943, the company was losing a substantial amount. It was only kept from bankruptcy by Kaden mail contracts and government subsidies, but by 1960, the company became so unprofitable, that the government cut its subsidies and mail contracts. Just three years later, in 1963, the company declared bankruptcy and was bought out by Kaden Cruise Lines.

### Legacy and Artifacts

Many ships were preserved, mostly ships built between 1920 and 1930.

* *KMS Kornland (1910)*
* *SS Ivern (1921)*
* *KMS Konia II (1921)*
* *KMS Sampson II (1923)*
* *KMS Acker (1924)*
* *SS Mallon (1929)*
* *KMMV Philadelphia (1948)*

Many artifacts still remain, including lifeboats, pieces of shipwrecks, china, furniture, silverware, uniforms, etc. They can be found in museums throughout Kaden, Cornopolia, and Astros. The largest collection of artifacts is in the Oceanic Museum of Kaden, in Philadelphia. Its home to the largest oceanliner in the world, the Kaden-Kornish Line ship *KMMV Philadelphia.*

## Wrecks

As long as there has been ocean travel, there has been danger and wrecks. The Kaden-Korish Line has had its fair share of wrecks, ranging from minor groundings to catastrophic and deadly sinkings. A few of the most notable wrecks are listed below.