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The American Line: Rebuilding U.S. Prestige on the North Atlantic (1871–1902)

 

📌 Explore William H. Flayhart III’s comprehensive history of the American Line, the first U.S. steamship company to rival European giants post-Civil War. A must-read for maritime historians, educators, and genealogy researchers.

 

Front Cover, The American Line: 1871-1902 by William Henry Flayhart III

Front Cover, The American Line: 1871-1902 by William Henry Flayhart III, © 2000. GGA Image ID # 19e84872e2

 

🛳️ Review and Summary: The American Line: 1871–1902 by William H. Flayhart III

📚 "Restoring the Stars and Stripes to the North Atlantic"

🚢 Overview: A Story of Maritime Comeback

William H. Flayhart III’s The American Line: 1871–1902 is a powerful narrative chronicling one of the most ambitious yet underappreciated efforts in U.S. maritime history: the rebirth of American transatlantic shipping in the age of steam. For teachers, students, historians, genealogists, and lovers of ocean liner history, this book offers an indispensable resource on how the American Merchant Marine tried to reclaim its former glory after the Civil War devastated the industry.

The book centers around the rise of the American Line, backed by Philadelphia’s business elite and the Pennsylvania Railroad, and its close cousin, the Red Star Line, launched under a foreign flag to circumvent U.S. restrictions. Flayhart’s exhaustive research delivers a sweeping yet accessible account of how these two lines changed the face of transatlantic travel.

 

The American Line 1871-1902 tells the story of the first successful American steamship line after the Civil War to rival the great European transatlantic companies—an essential and glorious chapter in the history of the American Merchant Marine.

 

Back Cover, The American Line: 1871-1902 by William Henry Flayhart III, © 2000.

Back Cover, The American Line: 1871-1902 by William Henry Flayhart III, © 2000. GGA Image ID # 19e87254d6

 

In the years between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, American sailing ships carried the Stars and Stripes worldwide with honor to the nation and profit to their owners. Despite the success of Confederate commerce raiders during the Civil War and the concurrent change from sail to steam and wooden hulls to iron, many American shipping companies showed remarkable resilience in the face of disaster.

By 1870, there was not a single American flag passenger line on the North Atlantic—a sad blow for a nation that, a short time earlier, boasted of one of the finest merchant fleets in the world.

1873 marked a significant moment in history with the establishment of the American Steamship Company, the first attempt at establishing a new American-flag steamship line to carry passengers and cargo across the North Atlantic from Philadelphia to Liverpool. This was a momentous event, backed by the financial support of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the Philadelphia Quaker community.

It would eventually evolve into the great American Line (1893), which succeeded in restoring American prestige on the North Atlantic and became the founding unit of the International Mercantile Marine, the giant shipping trust of 1902.

At the same time, if operating a fleet under the American flag seemed too difficult, other American Quaker merchants (also in Philadelphia and with the backing of the PRR) sought to maintain American presence in international trade. They established another steamship line under a flag of convenience, the International Navigation Company, more familiarly known as the Red Star Line. This line, though flying the Belgian flag and using British-built ships, was a testament to American resilience and determination.

This book focuses on the largely unknown but highly eventful early history of the American Line and the Red Star Line. It offers insight into the triumphs and setbacks of American shipping companies in the last three decades of the nineteenth century.

 

CONTENTS

  • Foreword
  • Acknowledgments
  • 1. The Origins of the American Line of Philadelphia
  • 2. Uncertainty and Discontent
  • 3. The Centennial Celebration and a Russian Offer
  • 4. The International Navigation Company—Red Star Line
  • 5. The Red Star at Sea
  • 6. Inman Steamship Company Limited—Inman and International Navigation Company
  • 7. The American Line of 1893
  • 8. The Birth of the Great American Line
  • 9. And the “Saints” Came Marching In
  • 10. The Best-Balanced North Atlantic Service
  • 11. Perils of the Sea
  • 12. Shipwrecks and Rescues
  • 13. The Spanish-American War
  • 14. A Triumphant Return
  • 15. The Beginning of a New Century
  • 16. The International Mercantile Marine (IMM)
  • 17. The Pyrrhic Victory
  • Notes
  • Bibliography
  • Index

 

Rebuilding America's Sea Power: A Look at "The American Line: 1871-1902"

Have you ever wondered how people traveled across the Atlantic Ocean before airplanes became common? In the late 1800s and early 1900s, steamships were the main way between Europe and America. While many books focus on famous British or European lines, "The American Line: 1871-1902" by William Henry Flayhart III tells the fascinating story of an American company that aimed to put the United States back on the map in transatlantic travel.  

Before the Civil War, American sailing ships were a proud symbol, carrying the U.S. flag worldwide. But the war and the shift from sail to steam power hit American shipping hard. By 1870, no American passenger steamship lines were sailing the North Atlantic – a real blow to national pride.  

That's where the American Steamship Company, or the "American Line," comes in. Born in 1873, it was a direct response to the decline of the American Merchant Marine. This book dives into this company's early, often unknown, history during a time filled with triumphs and disasters.  

Flayhart's book explains how the Pennsylvania Railroad partly funded the American Line and operated out of Philadelphia. It quickly became the only American steamship line competing with the major European companies. Think of it as a David and Goliath story on the high seas! The book details how the American Line worked to re-establish America as a serious and respected player in transatlantic crossings.  

What makes this book interesting? For one, it covers a significant change in ocean travel, as steam power was becoming dominant. It also highlights America's ambition to compete with established European powers in this important industry. You'll learn about their challenges, the ships they built, and the routes they sailed.  

One reviewer noted that the book is a "very fine history," providing good information about the Red Star Line, which was associated with the American Line. It focuses on the early years of steam navigation and how these companies operated. While the book is a company history rather than individual ships, it includes details about new boats as they were introduced.  

The book also features many illustrations, including reproductions of old postcards used to advertise the steamship lines. This gives a visual glimpse into the past and how these companies tried to attract passengers. The connection between the American and Red Star Lines and the Pennsylvania Railroad is also explored in detail.  

While one review mentions that the book might not delve deeply into individual ship data in an easy-to-find table format, it offers a comprehensive overview of the American Line's role in shaping transatlantic travel during this period.  

If you're interested in American history, the history of sea travel, or how businesses develop and compete, "The American Line: 1871-1902" could be a great read. It sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of American history and the efforts to build a strong presence on the world's oceans during rapid technological advancement. It's a story of national pride, innovation, and the challenges of competing in a global market.

 

Listing of Ships Included in this Book

 

About the Author

William Henry Flayhart III is the coauthor of Majesty at Sea and the first edition of QE2, both published by Norton. He is also the author of Counterpoint to Trafalgar: The Anglo- Russiati Invasion of Naples 1805—1806 for which he received the “Legion of Merit” of the International Napoleonic Society. Flayhart has a B.A. from Lycoming College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He is professor of history at Delaware State University, where he has taught since 1970.

Jacket design by Jon Valk
Author photograph: © 2000 by Youngs Studio
Printed in Singapore November 2000

 

Library of Congress Catalog Listing

  • Personal name: Flayhart, William H., 1944-
  • Main title: The American Line (1871-1902) / William Henry Flayhart III.
  • Edition: 1st ed.
  • Published/Created: New York : Norton, c2000.
  • Description: 404 p. : ill. (some col.); 26 cm.
  • ISBN: 0393047105
  • LC classification (full): HE945.A4 F58 2000
  • LC classification (partial): HE945.A4
  • Subjects: American Steamship Company--History. Steamboat lines--United States--History. Shipping--United States--History.
  • Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 355-379) and index.
  • LCCN: 98038743
  • Dewey class no.: 387.5/0973/09034
  • Geographic area code: n-us---
  • Type of material: Book

 

🎓 Relevance to Teachers, Students, Historians, and Genealogists

Teachers & Students will find an excellent case study in American industrial history, globalization, and business resilience. It aligns well with units on post-Civil War economic recovery, Gilded Age innovation, and early transportation networks.

Genealogists researching immigrant voyages may find references to vessels that carried their ancestors. Red Star and American Line ships were major carriers of European emigrants during this period.

Maritime Historians will appreciate the detailed documentation of shipping trusts, railroad alliances, and the foundational story behind the International Mercantile Marine (IMM), later tied to Titanic’s legacy.

 

✨ Most Engaging Highlights

🚄 Pennsylvania Railroad & the High Seas

The most intriguing aspect is the fusion of land and sea, as a railroad company spearheaded ocean travel. The PRR's involvement in launching and sustaining the American Line speaks to a uniquely American business model, linking inland commerce to international shipping lanes.

🌊 Red Star Line: An American Idea with a Belgian Flag

Flayhart doesn’t shy away from examining flag-of-convenience practices—a hot-button topic even today. The Red Star Line's Belgian registry is contextualized as a tactical necessity, rather than a betrayal of American interests, making this an engaging point of discussion in classrooms.

🚢 The “Saints” Ships and Immigrant Travel

Chapters such as “And the ‘Saints’ Came Marching In” and “Perils of the Sea” explore the dual role of these ships as luxury liners and immigrant vessels. The contrast between upper-deck amenities and steerage hardships is treated with sensitivity and insight.

 

📸 Noteworthy Images

Front Cover Illustration: Striking period artwork highlights the visual branding of the American Line and evokes nostalgia for late 19th-century transatlantic travel.

Back Cover Description: Offers a quick historical recap and reaffirms the company’s contribution to restoring the American flag at sea.

Illustrated Ship Profiles & Advertising Postcards: Throughout the book, these images provide authentic glimpses into period marketing and ship design, enriching the reader’s visual experience.

Reproductions of Menus, Tickets, and Brochures: These serve as primary-source artifacts for those studying material culture, hospitality history, or genealogy.

 

🧭 Key Themes and Chapter Highlights

Chapter 1: Origins of the American Line – The struggle to build a new national shipping identity after wartime devastation.

Chapter 4: The Red Star Line – How American businessmen cleverly used European infrastructure to advance U.S. trade and emigration interests.

Chapter 10: The Best-Balanced North Atlantic Service – Explores the company’s heyday, balancing immigrant transport with elite travel.

Chapter 13: The Spanish-American War – Examines the Line’s national service during wartime, emphasizing patriotism and utility.

Chapter 16: Birth of the IMM Trust – Details how the American Line became part of J.P. Morgan’s transatlantic shipping conglomerate.

 

🛥️ Extensive Ship Listing

The massive list of over 200 vessels, including the St. Louis, Philadelphia, Finland, Kroonland, New York, and Pennland, provides a rich reference for ship enthusiasts and genealogists. Each entry connects passengers, routes, and corporate history in ways few books achieve.

 

📚 About the Author

William Henry Flayhart III brings both academic expertise and narrative flair. As a professor of history at Delaware State University with prior works on QE2 and Napoleonic campaigns, Flayhart proves equally comfortable with nautical nostalgia and economic policy.

 

🧠 Final Thoughts: Why This Book Matters

The American Line: 1871–1902 is not just a company chronicle—it’s a testament to American ambition, resilience, and ingenuity during an era of profound global change. By reviving a transatlantic presence and linking railroads to ocean routes, the American Line embodied a uniquely American approach to internationalism.

This volume is ideal for educators constructing courses on American industrialism, historians exploring transatlantic business, and anyone fascinated by the golden age of ocean liners.

📚 Use GG Archives resources to further explore menus, passenger lists, and steamship line ephemera from the American Line and its contemporaries. They’re perfect for student essays, classroom projects, and historical discovery! 🧭📖🛳️

 

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