Hellenic Transatlantic Line ship named Athinai

• Format: Still Image
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1915
• Subjects: Greek Americans; Ships; Shipbuilding; Shipyards; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.3/NPLRNG.Photograph.3478

Athinai, built in 1908 in England for the Hellenic Transatlantic Line, established in 1905 by the Greek ship-owner D.G. Moraitis of Andros. This company was actually the first Greek owned transatlantic passenger company, but it did not last long, going bankrupt in 1908 before this ship was actually placed in service. The company, including the Athinai, was taken over in 1908 by the newly formed Hellenic Transatlantic Steam Navigation Company, Limited. The Athinai was launched on June 19, 1908. It sailed from Piraeus on May 13, 1909 to Kalamata, Patras and New York on its first voyage. The ship was used as a troop transport during the First Balkan War, Oct. 1912-April 1913. In 1914, the Athinai was taken over by the National Steam Navigation Company Limited. This company, commonly referred to as the National Greek Line, had been established in 1908. In September 19, 1915, the Athinai was destroyed by fire in the North Atlantic. Passengers and crew were evacuated from the ship by the Anchor Lines Tuscania with no loss of life, Sept. 1915.