SS Rotterdam
Narrative
Holland-America Line (HAL) started its business in 1872 with their first steamer – Rotterdam.
The company’s official name was Nederlandsch Amerikaanische Stoomboot Maatschappi (NASM).
During the closing years of the 19th century, Holland-America Line enjoyed prosperous times, and expanded the fleet with three new sister ships, the largest yet for the company.
Narrative
Rotterdam of 1880 was a 1,694 gross ton ship, built in 1872.
The first HAL ship was built at the German shipbuilding yards of Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, and the sister ships were built in the Irish yards of Harland & Wolff, Belfast.
Harland & Wolff designed all three HAL ships.
.