Deutschland, the Second Four Funneled Liner

North German Lloyd’s envious rival, HAPAG, decided to enter the competition for the Blue Ribband as would-be passengers were attracted to North German Lloyd’s Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse.  Traveling on the world’s fastest (merchant) ship had special cache.  This competition between shipping lines was also one of ports:  Bremen versus Hamburg.  Albert Ballin, HAPAG’s brilliant director had revolutionized the industry by placing emphasis on service and comfort for all passengers, and exclusive luxuries for first class.  Ballin was not fully convinced that entering the speed competition was best for the company, but the board of directors overruled him and HAPAG went to Vulcan Shipyards and commissioned a vessel to beat the Kaiser. 

The new ship, Deutschland, was similar in overall appearance and design to the Kaiser except with more powerful engines and HAPAG-quality luxury.  The first class accommodations were particularly splendid and outdid the NDL ships in most respects.

Deutschland sailing at full steam.   1:1250 model by Carlo Marquardt.
This is the first attempt using cotton to simulate smoke.

She captured the Blue Ribband on her maiden voyage and despite attempts by the Kaiser to win the record back.  In September 1900, the two ships held an unofficial race.  The Deutschland left New York an hour and half later than Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse.  The following day, with both ships under full steam, Deutschand passed her rival.  Passengers on both vessels delighted in the spectacle, but the captains denied there was a race at sea.  Deutschland proved to be the faster ship but at the cost of severe vibration at high speed. 

Deutschland passes Cunard Line's Campania (1893).

The vibration problem turned passengers away and subsequent HAPAG vessels were designed with size, luxury and stability in mind rather than speed.  Deutschland held her speed record for six years, losing it briefly to NDL’s Kronprnz Wilhelm in 1902 but won it back in 1903. However, Lusitania recaptured the Blue Ribband for the British in 1907.

First Class Smoking room.
(Photographer unknown.  Credit: http://www.gjenvick.com/HistoricalBrochures/Steamships-OceanLiners/HamburgAmericanLine/1905-AcrossTheAtlantic-Photos-Deutschland.html)  

In 1911, she emerged from the shipyards with less powerful engines and a new name, Victoria Luise.  She was an all first-class cruise ship with accommodations for 487 holidaymakers.  She proved a remarkable success as she toured the West Indies, Mediterranean, and Scandinavian waters despite enduring mechanical problems.

Deutschland circa 1900.  A. Loeffler, Tompkinsville, NY.  Copyright expired.
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b16663

She remained in port during the Great War and was the only large steamer to remain with her German owners after the war.  In 1921 she was rebuilt a second time as an immigrant ship and renamed Hansa complete with only two funnels.  Her work dried up with U.S. immigration restrictions and general prosperity in the mid 1920s and she was retired in 1925.  Of all five German four-stackers, this vessel served her owners the longest.

Deutschland (1900-1911, Victoria Luise 1911-1921, Hansa 1921-1925) built by Vulcan Shipyards for Hamburg American Line.  16,502 GRT, 684 feet long, 67 feet wide.  As built: steam quadruple expansion engines geared to twin screw.  Service speed; 22 knots.  2,050 total passengers (450 first class, 300 second class, 1,000 steerage).