Paul Henry Rickmers (1876-1946)

Paul Rickmers, the son of Peter Rickmers, was born at Bremerhaven in 1873. Having completed his commercial training, he takes up work at Rickmers shipyard. His initial tasks include the supervision of the construction of iron ships being built abroad.

1898 Paul Rickmers is appointed an executive member of the Board of Rickmers Reismühlen, Rhederei und Schiffbau AG.

1904 He leaves the company as a result of disagreements over policy matters with his uncle, Andreas Rickmers.

1905 Paul Rickmers establishes a trading house in Hamburg under the name and style of Rickmers & Co.

1910 Paul Rickmers returns to Rickmers Reismühlen, Rhederei und Schiffbau AG and is appointed a director. When his uncle Andreas Rickmers leaves the company, Paul Rickmers takes over management of Rickmers AG. Under his auspices the company is given a new strategy, and shipowning activities are being expanded.

1912 Paul Rickmers establishes two liner services under the Rickmers house flag, i.e. "Rickmers Sibirien Linie" and "Rickmers Ostasien Linie". Rickmers Sibirien Linie offers two monthly sailings from Bremerhaven or Hamburg to Japan and Vladivostok via Chinese ports, and v.v.

1917 Following extended quarrelling over his management style and his strategies, Paul Rickmers takes over all of his brothers' and sisters' shares which makes him the single proprietor of Rickmers Reismühlen, Rhederei und Schiffbau AG.

1920 He consolidates the various shipowning sectors under the name of Rickmers-Linie.

1924 Paul Rickmers shuts down Rickmers shipyard due to the lack of orders.

1931 Paul Rickmers moves home to Switzerland.

1937 He re-opens the shipyard to gain from the new demand for newbuildings.

1946 Paul Rickmers passes away at Clarens/Switzerland.

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