"Cathedrals of Steel:" German Deco at Sea

After losing much of the merchant fleet to the war or as reparations to the Allies, German shipping was a shambles.  The first half of the 1920s saw the construction of modest sized and spec’d vessels in an attempt to establish regular shipping service again.  By the end of the decade, German ships were among the most modern in design and accommodation.  The Bauhaus and Art Deco designs replaced the Edwardian styles of the pre-war liners, rendering them old fashioned, and giving the newer vessels a competitive edge.  As passengers and profits returned, North German Lloyd thought big. Why not build a pair of sleek express liners and recapture the Blue Ribband?

T.S. Bremen (1929). 1:1250 Model by Carlos Marquardt.  Tugboat model by Hansa.

On consecutive days in 1928 in Bremen and Hamburg NDL launched their newest liners: Bremen and Europa. The new ships were built for speed with powerful turbine engines and a new bow design.  Rather than a knife-like prow, the new ships had a bulbous bow.  The shape of the water passing the bow of a ship is a bulb and bulb in the hull fills in the shape of the water and reduces drag.  Combined with powerful engines the ships were sure to break Mauretania’s speed record. 

Bremen's bulbous bow is clearly visible in this pre-launch photo.

Attribution: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-06403 / CC-BY-SA

The hull was built with welded plates rather than riveted and provided a smooth surface.  Two squat, oblong funnels topped a low superstructure, the lines of which pleasantly curved both fore and aft.  In between the funnels the ships had launch gear for a Lufthansa seaplane.  The plane would depart from the ships thirty-six hours before reaching port and bring priority mail ashore.  This proved a fantastic publicity scheme and offered the public another aviation feat, but the service was costly and discontinued after a few years.

The seaplane preparing for launch from Europa.

Attribution: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-10309 / CC-BY-SA

Postcard depicting Bremen at speed.

Bremen and Europa were due to enter service together (and make maiden voyages in tandem) in the summer of 1929.  Unfortunately, the Europa was nearly destroyed by a fire in her fitting out basin and would not see service for another year (she was nearly lost again during a fierce gale in 1946).  Bremen departed for her maiden voyage alone and captured the Blue Ribband from Mauretania with a crossing of 4 days 17 hours and 42 minutes at an average speed of 27.83 knots.  Once in service, Europa bettered her sister’s time.  After more than twenty years, the Blue Ribband was back in German hands.

Bremen and Europa.

Attribution: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-09397 / CC-BY-SA

Inside they were designed with modern architecture and did not attempt to mimic a country home.  They looked like ships both inside and out and presented an air of seagoing luxury.  The ships were initially very popular with travelers  particularly in first class and in the first years of the depression, new ships attracted many travelers.  

Bremen departs on an early career crossing.

Attribution: Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-11081 / Georg Pahl / CC-BY-SA 3.0

The ships also offered luxury cruises, and the Bremen was the largest ship to pass through the Panama Canal (until the QEII).  However, as the political situation in Germany became unstable, many passengers began to shy away from German vessels.  In New York, anti-Nazi protestors frequently greeted German ships.  In one instance, a group managed to clamor aboard and rip the swastika flag from the jackstaff.

Bremen and Europa. This model in the foreground depicts Bremen as-built.  The short stacks were later heightened
because exhaust and soot did not clear the ship and dirtied passengers' clothes! Europa in the background is modeled with the heightened funnels.  Indeed she looks taller in the water than her sister.

While war clouds gathered August 30, 1939, the Bremen was in New York and departed without passengers under the cover of darkness under orders to return to Bremerhaven.  They did not want to risk internment as they did with the Vaterland in 1914.  Her crew painted her battle grey while at sea and she made a daring run at full speed to Murmansk.  In December, Bremen returned to her homeport.  Two years later, she was destroyed by fire and scuttled at her pier.  The ship was a total loss and her steel was scrapped for the war effort.  The Europa was safe in Hamburg during the war and used briefly as a troopship by the Allies in 1945-46 and then was given to France as reparation for the loss of Normandie.  Renamed Liberté she sailed for CGT until 1961.

T.S. Bremen (1929-1941) Built by A.G. Weser, Bremen, Germany: 51,731 gross tons; 938 feet long; 102 feet wide.  Twelve steam turbines, single reduction geared to quadruple screw. Service speed 27.50 knots.  2,231 passengers (723 first class, 600 tourist class, 908 third class).