.Holland America Line was founded in 1873
as a passenger and shipping company
under the title, the Netherlands-America
Steamship Company, with one vessel, the
original Rotterdam.
.Between the 1880fs and 1920fs HAL carried
more than 10% of all emigrants travelling
steerage from the gold worldh to the gnew
worldh.
The companyfs first-ever cruise holiday
itinerary was undertaken in 1895, a short
summer voyage from Rotterdam to
Copenhagen and back, via the Kieler Canal.
. On 15 June 1896 the company officially
changed its name to Holland Amerika Lijn.
