Russian American Line
Encyclopedia
The Russian American Line was a subsidiary steamship line of the East Asiatic Company
that was in business from 1900 until the time of the Russian Revolution in 1917. In 1906 it began passenger service from Libau
to New York after the Hamburg America Line
acquired a controlling interest in the line. After the Russian Revolution, services ended in 1917. Some of the line's ships came under control of the Cunard Line
and were operated as troop ships during World War I. After the Armistice, most of the line's ships were sold or transferred to the Baltic American Line, another subsidiary of the East Asiatic Company.
East Asiatic Company
The East Asiatic Company was founded by Hans Niels Andersen in Copenhagen in 1897. Service which would eventually include both passenger and freight lines between the Danish capital, Bangkok and the far east was the initial objective. Routes to include the Baltic and Black Seas were...
that was in business from 1900 until the time of the Russian Revolution in 1917. In 1906 it began passenger service from Libau
Liepaja
Liepāja ; ), is a republican city in western Latvia, located on the Baltic Sea directly at 21°E. It is the largest city in the Kurzeme Region of Latvia, the third largest city in Latvia after Riga and Daugavpils and an important ice-free port...
to New York after the Hamburg America Line
Hamburg America Line
The Hamburg Amerikanische Packetfahrt Actien Gesellschaft was a transatlantic shipping enterprise established in Hamburg, Germany during...
acquired a controlling interest in the line. After the Russian Revolution, services ended in 1917. Some of the line's ships came under control of the Cunard Line
Cunard Line
Cunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century...
and were operated as troop ships during World War I. After the Armistice, most of the line's ships were sold or transferred to the Baltic American Line, another subsidiary of the East Asiatic Company.