In 1867–1868, NDL began a partnership with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which initiated the Baltimore Line; until 1978, this had its own ships. In 1869, Crüsemann died at only 43 years old. From 1877 to 1892, the Director of NDL was Johann Georg Lohmann. He established a new policy for the company, emphasizing fast liners. Eventually, however, H. H. Meier and Lohmann fell out over the direction of the company. In 1892, a twin-screw steamer, the company's first, was christened the "H.H. Meier" after the founder; this helped to heal the breach between them.