Postcards from the Atlantic Transport Line

Vintage postcard collection of The Atlantic Transport Line, an American passenger shipping line based in Baltimore, Maryland that in 1901, was folded into the International Mercantile Marine Company (IMM).

A full-scale weekly passenger service between New York and London commenced in 1892. Today the line is best remembered for its exclusively first-class direct London to New York passenger/cargo service operated by its four Minne class ships, SS Minneapolis, SS Minnehaha, SS Minnetonka, and SS Minnewaska from 1900 to 1915.

Color Postcard featuring a Painting of the SS Minnehaha of the Atlantic Transport Line, nd (circa 1900). The 13,443-ton ocean liner was built by Harland and Wolff and launched on 31 March 1900. Operated by the American-owned Atlantic Transport Line, she was the sister ship of Minneapolis, Minnetonka, and Minnewaska. The SS Minnehaha ran between London and New York. Tonnage 13,403 Tons, 11,000 Horsepower, Length 600 Feet, and Breadth 65 Feet. On 7 September 1917, Minnehaha sank within four minutes with 43 fatalities, after being torpedoed by German U-boat U-48, off the Fastnet. Her sister ships Minneapolis and Minnetonka were sunk while in use as troop transports during World War I. GGA Image ID # 15b0c0ff5e

Back Side of Color Postcard featuring a Painting of the SS Minnehaha of the Atlantic Transport Line, nd. (Circa 1900). The SS Minnehaha ran between London and New York. Tonnage 13,403 Tons, 11,000 Horsepower, Length 600 Feet, and Breadth 65 Feet. Tucks 9126. 13,400 Tons. GGA Image ID # 15b1026ae1

Vintage Postcard featured a black & white Painting of the SS Minnekahda of the Atlantic Transport Line with Tonnage 19,000 Tons; Length 650 Feet; and Speed 18 Knots. Postally Used 23 May 1919. SS Minnekahda was a passenger liner laid down in 1914. Still, construction was delayed by World War I. The hull was completed without a superstructure in 1917 and transferred to the American registry in 1920. Fore River Shipyard refitted the hull to carry over two thousand immigrant passengers for the American Line. She entered service between Hamburg and New York City on 31 March 1921. Atlantic Transport Line then converted the ship for tourist-class service from 1924 until 1931. The ship was then laid up in New York by the Great Depression until scrap metal prices rose in response to German rearmament. GGA Image ID # 15b15336ec

Back Side of Vintage Poscard of the Minnekahda of the Atlantic Transport Line, Postally Used 23 May 1919. GGA Image ID # 15b155cd8d

Vintage Postcard of a Painting of the Atlantic Transport Line Steamer SS Minnetonka Passing Shakespeare's Cliff. Postally Used 14 October 1907. The SS Minnetonka was in the London - New York Service From 1901 until Torpedoed by U-64 and U-67 in 1918. GGA Image ID # 15b1b2e1f4

Back Side of Vintage Postcard of the Atlantic Transport Line Steamer SS Minnetonka Passing Shakespeare's Cliff. Postally Used 14 October 1907. GGA Image ID # 15b1c8cb14

The line's most famous ships were all sunk during the First World War. After the war, four massive replacements for the Minne class ships were planned. Only two of these were built; however and the passenger service, which recommenced in 1923, never matched pre-war successes.

With first-class travel declining, the ATL introduced a third-class tourist ship in 1925 and operated a second ship for two seasons. But the line was faltering even before the Wall Street Crash. With the recession of 1931, its remaining ships were laid up or transferred to other IMM lines and effectively ceased to exist. The American holding company survived until 1936. The SS Minnewaska was the last ship the Atlantic Transport Line operated.