First Generation
Rickmer Clasen Rickmers (1807-1886)
R.C. Rickmers is born on Heligoland and completes his training there in wooden shipbuilding. Following his apprenticeship, he goes to sea in order to gain practical experience on board a ship.
In 1831, he settles in the recently founded town of Bremerhaven with his wife Etha Rickmers (née Reimers). After three years employed as a ship carpenter, he sets up his own small shipbuilding workshop.
In June 1834, R.C. Rickmers establishes the Rickmers shipyard in Bremerhaven.
In the 1840s, he enters the shipowning business.
The year 1849 sees the formal founding of the "Rickmers Rhederei" shipowning business, with its trademark flag in the Heligoland colours and a white R in the centre.
In 1857, a new, larger shipyard is opened on the River Geeste in Geestemünde, Bremerhaven. These grounds include homes for those who work in the shipyard and their families, a school, inns and a shop selling colonial goods.
In the 1860s, Rickmers enters the rice trade. In order to make full use of the ships he owns, R.C. Rickmers begins trading goods on his own account. Rice from south-east Asia plays a particularly important role. He transports it on his ships to Europe and then sells it to European rice mills.
In 1871, R.C. Rickmers becomes a founding member of the Geestemünder Bank.
In 1872, he purchases a share in the Bremen rice mill Ichon & Co., which is subsequently renamed Ichon & Rickmers.
In 1878, he acquires the rice mill in full and renames it the Rickmers Rice Mill.
In 1881, R.C. Rickmers becomes a founding member of the Deutsche Dampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft HANSA (HANSA German Steamship Association).
In 1886, R.C. Rickmers dies in Geestemünde, bequeathing to his sons an internationally active shipping, trading and shipbuilding business.
