National Line: A Pioneer in 19th-Century Transatlantic Steamship Travel (Passenger Lists & Fleet History, 1863-1896)

National Steam Navigation Company (National Line) Poster circa 1890s. Published by their National Line General Agent, T. C. Kloed in Oslo, Norway. GGA Image ID # 14138a906a

The success of the Inman and Allan Lines led to many similar undertakings. In 1863, several Liverpool merchants and shipowners established the " National Steam Navigation Company," with a capital of £700,000.

The original intention was to run the boats between Liverpool and the Southern States after the close of the Civil War. Still, as this was delayed and the ships were ready, they sent them to New York to compete with the Cunard and Inman companies.

Their first boats were SS Louisiana, 3847 tons, 300 HP (afterward re-named the SS Holland), SS Virginia, 4310 tons, 400 HP (afterward re-named SS Greece], and the SS Pennsylvania, 4276 tons, 400 HP (afterward re-named SS Canada), all screws.

They were intended chiefly for goods and steerage passengers. Being of considerable size and low power, they were not as fast as the Cunard or Inman boats.

In 1864, they added the SS Erin, the SS Queen, 4457 tons, 420 HP, and the SS Helvetia, 4588 tons, 420 HP. After the Civil War, in 1865, they found ample employment for the six boats in the rapidly increasing New York trade. In 1865, they added the SS Scotland, and in 1866, the SS England, 4898 tons, 420 HP; the SS Denmark, 3724 tons, 350 HP; and the SS France, 4281 tons, 400 HP.

In 1867, the British Government chartered some of these ships as transports in the Abyssinian War.

In 1868, they were the first to adopt compound engines in the New York trade, building the SS Italy, 4169 tons, 500 HP. In 1870-1, they built the SS Egypt, 4669 tons, 600 HP, and SS Spain, 4512 tons, 600 HP.

The Liverpool Shipbuilding Company and Messrs. Laird of Birkenhead built the two last-named. Both were magnificent ships and much faster than their earlier boats. SS Spain has a record of 9 days I hour 17 minutes from Queenstown to New York, and 8 days 19 hours 53 minutes going east.

In 1873, SS Egypt landed in New York with 1767 steerage passengers, probably the most significant number ever carried to New York in a British ship. They also established a fortnightly line between London and New York.

In 1883, they built on the Clyde a magnificent ship with more substantial tonnage and high speed, SS America, for the ever-popular Captain Grace. She was 5528 tons (432 x 51) and 7354 HP indicated, with three cylinders, one of 63 and two of 91 inches in diameter, with 5 1/2 feet stroke.

On her trial at the measured mile, she made 17 '8 knots. Her best trip was made in 6 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes. Soon after placing her on the route, they accepted a tempting offer from the Italian Government, who wanted her for transport. She had previously made one trip to India with British troops.

In 1891, the company built two boats of smaller power, SS Europe on the Tyne, 5302 tons, 600 HP nominal (435 x 46-4 x 33), and a second SS America, at Dundee, 5158 tons, 600 HP (435 x 46-3 x 33).

One of this company's ships, Greece, was the first to carry fresh meat from New York in refrigerators (in 1876), and the same ship was the first to carry live cattle (in 1877).

The company's ships paid very well for some years. Still, ultimately, the restrictions placed upon the immigrant business by the United States Government led them to abandon the passenger service. In contrast, the Liverpool freight business was entirely unremunerative.

Therefore, the company has transferred the ships to London, between which port and New York they now run weekly with freight and livestock. In one year, these ships landed in New York with 33,494 steerage passengers but only 2442 saloons.

The company has not escaped severe disasters, although, for many years, they could boast that they had not lost a passenger by accident or negligence at sea. In April 1866, a boy on board England, carrying 1200 steerage passengers, developed a case of smallpox when three days out. She had to run to Halifax with hundreds of passengers sick, dead, and dying.

SS Scotland was sunk near Sandy Hook (New York), where she still lies with a lightship over her. In the winter of 1889-90, Erin left New York and was never heard of again. In July 1890, SS Egypt was burnt at sea, the fire having commenced spontaneously among bales of cotton.

Fleet of the National Line, 1896. History of North Atlantic Steam Navigation, 1896. GGA Image ID # 21fdab525f

The passengers and crew were all rescued by a passing ship, and in 1894 the SS Helvetia was abandoned off Cape Finisterre; her passengers and crew were landed at Gibraltar, April 26th.

1880s Advertisement: National Line's Atlantic Service

National Line Passenger Steamships. Comprising Twelve of the Largest Ocean Steamships. (Belonging to One Company.) In The Atlantic Service. Leaving the Port of New York, the Aggregate Tonnage of Which Amounts to 52.666 Tons.

SAILING Every Saturday, to Queenstown and Liverpool, From the Company's Pier. "New," 39 N. R., New York.

Every Wednesday, to London Direct, Victoria Docks, From Pier at the foot of First St., Hoboken, NJ.

These Passenger Steamers have been constructed in the best manner at the most celebrated Shipyards in Great Britain. They are built of iron and steel, in watertight and fireproof compartments of unusual strength and power, and magnifico equipped. They are rated among the finest in the World.

As these steamers are of the largest class and have remarkable steadiness at sea, passengers are not liable for sickness or discomfort.

Unsurpassed Accommodations for Passengers

The Saloons and Staterooms are spacious, cheerful, finely lighted, ventilated, and elegantly furnished. The Table will compare favorably with that of the best Hotels in England.

Ladies' Boudoir—piano, library, smoking, bathrooms, etc. A Surgeon, Stewards, and Stewardesses on every Steamer. Medicine and attendance are free.

Steerage

The Steerage is large, light, airy, and warmed by Steam in winter. Married couples with their young children are berthed by themselves. Single persons are placed in separate rooms.

The Ship's Stewards serve meals three times a day and consist of an unlimited quantity of good and wholesome provisions put on board under the inspection of the Company's Purveyor—plenty of fresh drinking water. The care of Surgeons and Stewards is free.

Passage Rates

SALOON, $50, $60, $70. Excursion, $100, $110, $120.

STEERAGE, to Scandinavian or German Ports, $32.

STEERAGE, from Scandinavian or German Ports, $30.

STEERAGE, to Principal Ports in Great Britain, $26.

STEERAGE, from Principal Ports in Great Britain, $28.

They are $2.00 Cheaper Than Most Other Lines.

For Passage, Plans of Saloons, Dates of Sailing, Drafts, etc. Apply to the Local Agents.

Henry Fry, North Atlantic Steam Navigation: With Some Account of Early Ships and Ship Owners, Chapter XIV: The National Steam Navigation Company, London: Sampson Low, Marston and Company, Limited, 1896, p. 192-194.

Review and Summary of the National Line Archival Collection

Introduction: The Rise of the National Line in Transatlantic Ocean Travel

Founded in 1863, the National Steam Navigation Company (commonly known as the National Line) was a major competitor in transatlantic travel, operating between Liverpool, London, and New York. Established by Liverpool merchants and shipowners, the line originally planned to serve the Southern United States after the Civil War, but delays led them to instead enter the highly competitive New York transatlantic route against Cunard, Inman, and Allan Lines.

The National Line’s fleet was known for its large size, stability, and steady expansion, serving both steerage passengers and cargo transportation. However, increased U.S. immigration restrictions and declining profitability eventually led the company to abandon its passenger services and transition to freight and livestock transportation.

 

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This archival collection is a valuable resource for:

• Genealogists tracing transatlantic migration.
• Historians studying 19th-century ocean shipping and immigrant transport.
• Educators analyzing economic shifts in global trade and passenger travel.

 

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Key Highlights from the Collection

1. Passenger Lists – Tracing Immigrants & Transatlantic Travelers

Passenger lists from National Line ships offer a unique glimpse into migration trends, particularly for steerage passengers traveling to America in the late 19th century.

Notable Records from the National Line’s Passenger Lists:

• 1873: SS Egypt arrives in New York with 1,767 steerage passengers – One of the largest steerage loads recorded on a British ship.

Annual Statistics: In one year, the company landed 33,494 steerage passengers but only 2,442 saloon travelers, reflecting its primary role in immigrant transportation.

Notable Firsts:

• 1876: SS Greece became the first steamship to transport fresh meat from New York to Europe in refrigerated compartments.
• 1877: SS Greece was also the first to carry live cattle across the Atlantic, marking the beginning of transatlantic livestock transport.

Why This Matters for Researchers:

• Genealogists can use passenger lists to trace immigrants arriving in the U.S. from Scandinavia, Germany, and Great Britain.
  Historians can explore the shift from cargo-based steamships to large-scale immigrant transport.
• Students and educators can analyze the role of maritime shipping in the development of global trade and immigration policies.
  

 

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2. The National Line’s Fleet – A Study in 19th-Century Maritime Engineering

At its peak, the National Line operated a fleet of 12 large steamships, all of which were designed with high tonnage and steady sea-going capabilities.

Notable Ships & Specifications:

Ship Name	Year Built	Tonnage	Notable Feature
SS Louisiana (later SS Holland)	1863	3,847	Early screw steamer
SS Virginia (later SS Greece)	1863	4,310	First ship to transport fresh meat & live cattle
SS Pennsylvania (later SS Canada)	1863	4,276	One of the first transatlantic immigrant carriers
SS Egypt	1870	4,669	Transported a record 1,767 steerage passengers in one trip
SS Spain	1871	4,512	Fastest ship in the fleet with an 8-day transatlantic record
SS America (first version)	1883	5,528	Built for high speed; later sold to the Italian government
SS Europe	1891	5,302	Transitioned from passenger to cargo transport

The National Line’s ships were among the first to use compound engines, increasing fuel efficiency and speed.

Why This Matters:

• Maritime historians can analyze the evolution of ship design in the late 19th century.
• Economists & trade scholars can explore how steamship advancements shaped global commerce.
• Genealogists can identify which ships carried their ancestors to America.

 

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3. The National Line’s Role in Immigration & Freight Transport

Originally focused on passenger transport, the National Line later pivoted to freight and livestock shipping due to U.S. immigration restrictions in the late 19th century.

Key Milestones:

• 1863-1880s: Focus on steerage immigration transport to New York.
• 1876-1877: Introduced refrigerated meat shipping & live cattle transport.
• 1890s: Transitioned entirely to freight shipping between London & New York.

By the late 19th century, the National Line was known more for cargo transport than passenger service, a shift that reflected the changing priorities of transatlantic shipping companies.

 

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4. National Line Advertisements – Marketing the Transatlantic Voyage

The archival collection includes promotional materials that highlight how the National Line marketed its services to passengers and merchants.

1880s Advertisement for the National Line’s Atlantic Service:

• Fleet of 12 large ships – One of the most extensive on the Atlantic route.
• Weekly sailings to New York, London & Queenstown – Competitive with Cunard & Inman Lines.

Focus on passenger comfort:

• Elegant saloon & staterooms for first-class passengers.
• Dedicated ladies’ boudoir with piano, library, and smoking lounge.
• Surgeons and free medical care available on every voyage.

Steerage accommodations:

• Large, light, and heated in winter.
• Private areas for married couples & families.
• Unlimited provisions & fresh water provided.
• Rates cheaper than most competitors.

Why This Matters:

• Provides insight into how steamship companies marketed transatlantic travel.
• Highlights the stark contrast between first-class luxury and steerage conditions.
• Documents the competitive pricing and services offered to attract immigrants and business travelers.

 

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Who Would Benefit from This Collection?

For Genealogists & Family Historians:

• Passenger lists help trace ancestors who traveled from Europe to America between 1863 and 1896.
• Rare insights into steerage travel conditions for immigrant ancestors.

 

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For Maritime & Economic Historians:

• Fleet records and company history document the rise and fall of one of the largest 19th-century shipping companies.
• Highlights technological advancements in steamship construction.
• Illustrates how immigration policies shaped the transatlantic shipping industry.

 

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For Educators & Students Studying Globalization & Migration:

• Explores the impact of ocean travel on global commerce and migration.
• Offers primary source materials for lessons on immigration history, maritime engineering, and trade economics.

 

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Final Thoughts

The National Line Archival Collection provides a rare and detailed look into 19th-century transatlantic travel, highlighting its role in mass migration, maritime innovation, and global trade.

Whether you’re researching family history, studying historical shipping routes, or exploring the economic impact of ocean travel, this collection offers a fascinating glimpse into one of the most influential shipping companies of the 19th century.