Hamburg Atlantik Line
Deutsche Atlantik Line
Hanseatic Tours
 
 
These pages are devoted to postcards and photographs of the Hamburg Atlantik fleet (later Deutsche Atlantik). The Table below gives links to complete postcard histories of selected ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet in date order.
 
Hamburg Atlantik Line
The Hamburg Atlantik Line, was founded by Vernicos Eugenides in January 1958. Vernicos Eugenides was the adopted son of Eugen Eugenides, who had been the founder/president of Home Lines. Home Lines acted as agents for Hamburg Atlantik in the US. The company acquired the three-funnelled Canadian Pacific Liner Empress of Scotland (built as Empress of Japan in 1930). After substantial rebuilding into the more modern looking two-funnelled liner Hanseatic (1), services began between Cuxhaven, Havre, Southampton and New York in July 1958. Home Lines withdrew their ship on the Hamburg-New York service, leaving Hamburg Atlantik with a monopoly on this route (Vernicos Eugenides was by then president of both Hamburg Atlantik and Home Lines). 1959 was Hamburg Atlantik's best year on the New York service, air traffic competition becoming more significant after that. Hanseatic (1) spent more time cruising, and only completed eight round voyages in 1965.
 
Deutsche Atlantik Line
In December 1965, a new company known as Deutsche Atlantik Line was formed to finance a new ship. Axel Bitsch-Christensen, the manager of Hamburg Atlantik, drew up a scheme to offer past passengers on Hanseatic (1) shares in the new company. This was successful, and an order was placed for the 25000 ton Hamburg in November 1966. However, the Hanseatic (1) had been badly damaged by fire in September 1966. She was towed to Hamburg, but considered unsuitable for repair. The loss-making Shalom of Zim Lines was bought in 1967 by a third new company, the Hanseatic Schiffahrts Gesellschaft, and renamed Hanseatic (2). The Hamburg Atlantik Line was then wound up, and the Hanseatic (2) was marketed as the Deutsche Atlantik Line. She was joined by the new Hamburg in 1969, by which time both ships were cruising full time, with annual positioning trips across the Atlantic. The company was by this time co-operating with Holland America Line, who were general agents for Deutsche America Line in the US, Canada and Mexico.
 
1973 was a difficult year for cruise operators, and Hanseatic (2) was sold to Home Lines as their Doric. The Hamburg was briefly renamed Hanseatic (3), but was then sold herself to the Soviet Union (Black Sea Shipping Co) in early 1974, becoming the Maxim Gorky. She has subsequently spent many years catering for the German market, on charter to Phoenix Reisen of Bonn.
 
Hanseatic Tours
Hanseatic Tours was formed by Dirk Moldenhauer, a former captain with Deutsche Atlantik. There was no other direct link with the older company that I am aware of, but he acquired the rights to use the colours and name Hanseatic for the Society Adventurer, which was bought whilst under construction. Because of the continuation of the name and livery, it seems appropriate to deal with the company on this page. The company was bought by Hapag-Lloyd in 1997, but the Hanseatic has retained her historic name and livery within the Hapag-Lloyd fleet.
 
 
Ships Covered on This Page:-
Hamburg - 1969-built liner, later Hanseatic (3)
Hanseatic (1) - 1930-built liner, ex-Empress of Scotland
Hanseatic (2) - 1964-built liner, ex-Shalom, later Doric etc
Hanseatic (3) - 1969-built liner, ex-Hamburg
Hanseatic (4) - 1993-built liner, ex-Society Adventurer
Hanseatic Renaissance
 
Associated Pages:-
Hapag-Lloyd
Canadian Pacific Line
Home Lines
Phoenix Reisen
Regency Cruise Line
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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Table of Ship Histories

Name

Other names

 Built
 Hanseatic (1)  Empress of Japan, Empress of Scotland

 1930
 Hanseatic (2)  Shalom, Doric, Royal Odyssey, Regent Sun, Sun Venture

 1964
 Hamburg  Hanseatic (3), Maxim Gorky

 1969
 Hanseatic (3)  Hamburg, Maxim Gorky

 1969
 Hanseatic (4)  Society Adventurer

 1993
 
 
 
 
 
Hamburg Atlantik Line
Fleet List in Date Order
 
 
 
Hanseatic (1) 1958-66
 
The new Hamburg Atlantik company acquired the three-funnelled Canadian Pacific Liner Empress of Scotland (built as Empress of Japan in 1930). After substantial rebuilding into the more modern looking two-funnelled liner Hanseatic (1), services began between Cuxhaven, Havre, Southampton and New York in July 1958. 1959 was Hamburg Atlantik's best year on the New York service, air traffic competition becoming more significant after that. Hanseatic (1) spent more time cruising, and only completed eight round voyages in 1965. The Hanseatic (1) was badly damaged by fire in New York on 7th September 1966. She was towed to Hamburg, but considered unsuitable for repair. The Zim Lines Shalom was acquired in 1967 to replace her.
 
A complete postcard history is available on this link.
 
 
An early official Hamburg-Atlantik art card of Hanseatic (1).
 
An official Hamburg-Atlantik postcard of Hanseatic (1).
 
An official Hamburg-Atlantik postcard of Hanseatic (1).
 
An official Hamburg-Atlantik postcard of Hanseatic (1), advertising (in French) three cruises from Zeebrugge on 2nd April, 12th May and 29th June. Unfortunately the year is not stated. The card is printed by Kruger (serial: 920/48).
 
A very similar postcard of Hanseatic (1) to the one above (note that the position of the fourth small boat has changed). This was printed was printed both as Hans Anders 13662, and Conwa 8860, both versions having Hamburg-Atlantik serial 8536.
 
A further variation of the postcards of Hanseatic (1) shown above.
 
The same image of the postcard of Hanseatic (1) shown above, but with inferior colour and sharpness.
Scan supplied by Fred Schnittke.
 
An unusual musical postcard of Hanseatic, with a 45 rpm record embossed on the front.
The image of the ships has been rather crudely added to a view of New York.
The two-minute song has a men's chorus apparently extolling the virtues of the Hanseatic.
Scan: Barbara Krim.
 
A later Hamburg-Atlantik official postcard of Hanseatic (1), with exhaust extensions to the funnels.
 
A later Hamburg-Atlantik official postcard of Hanseatic (1), with exhaust extensions to the funnels.
 
 
 
 
 
Deutsche Atlantik Line
 
 
Hanseatic (2) 1967-73
 
The first Hanseatic (ex-Empress of Scotland) caught fire in New York in 1966. She was towed to Hamburg to be broken up. Deutsche Atlantik were able to buy the three-year-old Shalom, and renamed her the Hanseatic (2). Although intended for Hamburg-New York service, she soon spent her time cruising the world, and an attractive series of official cards were issued showing many ports of call (although they were not identified on the cards!).
 
A complete history of this ship is shown on this link.
 
 
The following eight postcards are all Deutsche Atlantik official releases of the Hanseatic (2).
She received generous postcard coverage of this stage of her career.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is an enlargement from the official postcard above.
 
Otto Schulze (Hamburg) card 745a (79/84) of Hanseatic (2).
 
Hildegard Mielck (Kiel) card 7086 of Hanseatic (2).
 
HHH (Hans Hartz, Hamburg) postcard 1/518 of Hanseatic (2).
 
HHH (Hans Hartz, Hamburg) postcard 1223 of Hanseatic (2).
 
Postcard of Hanseatic (2) at Cuxhaven.
 
Postcard of Hanseatic (2) at Cuxhaven.
 
 
 
 
 
Hamburg - Hanseatic (3) 1969-74
 
The Hamburg was ordered in 1966, and entered service in January 1969, the first major German-built liner since 1938. Although intended for the Hamburg-New York service, she operated as a full time cruise ship from new. In 1973 she was renamed Hanseatic (3) when the Hanseatic (2) was sold to Home Lines. I do not have any postcards issued as Hanseatic (2). The new name was short lived, since Hamburg was sold to the Soviet Union (Black Sea Shipping Co) in early 1974, becoming the Maxim Gorky. She has subsequently spent many years catering for the German market, on charter to Phoenix Reisen of Bonn.
 
The subsequent history of this ship is shown on the complete postcard history on this link.
 
 
Deutsche Atlantik official postcard of Hamburg.
 
Deutsche Atlantik official postcard of Hamburg. An enlargement of the ship is shown below.
 
 
Deutsche Atlantik official postcard of Hamburg and Hanseatic (2) at St Thomas.
 
Deutsche Atlantik official postcard of Hamburg in the Caribbean.
 
HHH (Hans Hartz, Hamburg) postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg, serial 1/559.
 
HHH (Hans Hartz, Hamburg) postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg, serial 1/5369.
 
HHH (Hans Hartz, Hamburg) postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg, serial 1/550.
 
HHH (Hans Hartz, Hamburg) postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg, serial 1/568.
 
Anders, Hamburg, postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg, serial 8585. the freighter in the foreground is the Rio Lujan (1949) of state-owned Empresa Lineas Maritimes Argentinas.
 
Kruger, Hamburg, postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg, serial 920/210.
 
Kruger, Hamburg, postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg, serial 920/208.
 
Unidentified postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg, similar to the one above, but dressed overall.
 
 
 
 
 
Hanseatic Tours 1991-97
 
 
Hanseatic (4)
 
The Hanseatic Tours vessel Hanseatic (4) was built in 1991. She was ordered as the Society Adventurer, of Discoverer Rederei, but bought by Hanseatic Tours before delivery. The owner of Hanseatic Tours, Dirk Moldenhauer, was the final captain of the last German registered Hanseatic of Deutsche Atlantik Linie. He bought the rights to the Deutsche Atlantik Line logo and the name Hanseatic. Hapag-Lloyd took over Hanseatic Tours, and the Hanseatic in 1997, and Dick Moldenhauer became one of the chiefs of Hapag-Lloyd Seetouristik.
 
A more complete postcard history of this ship, including a card of Society Adventurer, is shown on this link.
 
 
Hanseatic Tours issued a stream of superb postcards of the Hanseatic (4) during their ownership, although none of the cards gives any details of location, photographer or serial number. Twelve of these cards are shown below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is an oversized Seven Seas Cruise Line of the Hanseatic (4) presumably issued when they chartered her or marketed space - I do not have precise details of the connection.
 
Hanseatic Tours was bought by Hapag-Lloyd in 1997, although the colours of Hanseatic (4) have remained unchanged. This is a Hapag-Lloyd Tours card of Hanseatic (4), serial S12H.
 
Hapag-Lloyd postcard of the Hanseatic (4).
 
 
 
 
 
Hanseatic Renaissance
 
A postcard of one of the Renaissance series of ships, renamed Hanseatic Renaissance, whilst on charter to Hanseatic Tours.
 
CT Publishing postcard serial 027of Hanseatic Renaissance.
Photographed by Richard E.Weiss at Grenada, 24th December 1991.
 
 
 
 
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