Officers of the Hamburg-American Line Steamships - 1890
The vessels of the Hamburg-American Packet Co. are manned by officers who have been in the Company's employ for years and whose seamanship has been thoroughly tested during many trying voyages; the strict discipline maintained on these vessels comparing favorably with that on board of a man-of-war.
Before entering the employ of the Company all officers have to pass two rigorous examinations in nautical schools, and, in accordance with the Company's system of promotion, have to work their way up from inferior positions in the service.
All captains in command have obtained their positions in this manner, and no appointments to this important post are made unless the officer has had long experience in the service and has given ample proof of his thorough qualification for the efficient fulfillment of his responsible duties.
It would, perhaps, be difficult to present a more striking proof of the seamanlike qualities and the high character of the Company's officers than is furnished by the fact that the steamships of this line have been so frequently the means of saving the lives of shipwrecked sailors at sea.
