Immigration ship manifest, says it all.
Josef Zimola and his wife Antonína “Antonia” (FILA) immigrated to the United States on April 20, 1904. They arrived at Ellis Island on the fastest ship of its time, the SS KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE, with their two children: Bozena “Bessie” and Mary. Mary was four and Bozena was only two. They brought along Antonia’s mother and father. Josef Fila and Frantiska Kourková. A cousin, 18-year-old Frantiska “Fanny” Cihal, joined them on their journey. Also on the journey was Antonia’s sister, Marie and her husband Frantisek “Frank” Vlec. They had their three sons and one daughter in tow.
From House #35 Bransouze, Moravia to
Bremen, Germany to
New York City, New York to
Wahoo, Nebraska
The first view of their new home when entering New York’s harbor.
Lady Liberty
SS Kaiser Wilhelm Der Große
Kaiser Wilhelm der Große
The Kaiser Wilhelm der Große was a German transatlantic ocean liner named after Emperor Wilhelm I, the first head of state of the German Empire. The liner was constructed in Stettin for the North German Lloyd (NDL) and entered service in 1897. It was the first liner to have four funnels and is considered to be the first-ever superliner. She marked the beginning of a change in how maritime supremacy was demonstrated in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century.
In March 1898, she successfully gained the Blue Riband with an average crossing speed of 22.3 knots (41.3 km/h; 25.7 mph), thus establishing the new German competitiveness. The Blue Riband is an award given for the fastest crossing of the North Atlantic.
Though we can all thank the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Große for delivering our ancestors safely to America, it did not end well for her.
Under the command of Max Reymann, the German ship SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Große was requisitioned for service at the outbreak of World War I and fitted with six 4-inch guns and two 37-millimeter guns. The German vessel set steam for a commerce raiding mission in the Atlantic Ocean.
Commanded by Henry T. Buller, the British ship HMS Highflyer was a protected cruiser built in 1898 with eleven 6-inch guns, nine 12-pounder guns, six 3-pounder guns, and two torpedo tubes. She had been detached to support the 5th Cruiser Squadron in hunting the German raider.
The battle off Rio de Oro on 26 August 1914 began when the German raider Kaiser Wilhelm der Große was caught by surprise in a harbor, taking on coal from three German and Austrian colliers. Highflyer, badly outgunning the German auxiliary cruiser, first demanded surrender, but the German commander argued that the British had violated Spain’s neutrality.
The German sailors made it to shore and escaped into the Saharan Desert.
1880's Kaiser Wilhelm der Große Souvenirs purchased on e-bay
Wreck of the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Große
The wreck of the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Große has been dived on many times. To the left is an image of the wreck on the sea floor. It lies off the coast of Morocco.
Hand Painted Dinner Plate made of Metal, from the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Große
A metal plate was retrieved during a dive of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Große that I purchased on eBay.
Josef Zimola's Foot Locker from the Austro-Hungarian Army
Josef Zimola’s Foot Locker was from the Austro-Hungarian army, where he served in the “Train Division” (Wagons and horses). Growing up, it was our toy chest.
I came across a Hand Painted Dinner Plate made of Metal, from the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse in my mother in laws attic. your site is the only information I could find on it. Any idea of, if any, value ?
I bought it for $250 in 2005 from ships@oceanliner.com.
good luck
Look on internet you might find something about it 😂😂 let the search begin!
My grandfather John Vybiral was born in Trebic, Moravia in 1869. He came to Colon, Nebraska in 1878 with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. What was the entry point and name of the boat?
Richard Vybiral – Marshalltown, Iowa