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Swedish American Line
 
 
This page is devoted to official company postcards of the Swedish American Line fleet. Commercial cards of the ships will be added to the complete ship histories linked from the table below. There is also an index of ships covered on this page.
 
I have included on this page, the subsequent histories of two liners which moved to Home Lines, since Home Lines was originally a joint venture between Swedish American and the Italian Cosulich Line. The original connection between the companies is seen in the funnel designs, with Home Lines closely resembling Swedish America, but with one, not three, crowns on each funnel.
 
The Rederiaktiebolaget Sverige-Nordamerika initiated a direct Gothenburg-New York service in 1915 with the ex-Holland-America liner Potsdam. In 1925 the company was renamed Svenska Amerika Linien (Swedish American Line). The first newly constructed vessels were acquired in 1925 and 1928. Three ships named Stockholm were planned in the 1930s and 1940s, all having bad luck. Stockholm (2) was destroyed by fire whilst under construction in 1938. Its replacement, Stockholm (3) was destroyed in the war. The Stockholm (4) of 1948 did manage to enter service, but was severely damaged in the Andrea Doria collision. There then followed three successful cruise/passenger liners, of highly distinctive appearance, which built up an exceptional reputation. Increased costs in the 1970s forced the company to look at re-flagging, but negotiations with the Swedish Unions failed, and the last two ships were sold in 1975.
 
 
Ships on this Page:-
Borgholm - 1924-34
Drottningholm - 1920-48
Gripsholm (1) - 1925-54
Gripsholm (2) - 1957-75
Kungsholm (1) - 1922-24 (chartered)
Kungsholm (2) - 1928-42
Kungsholm (3) - 1953-65
Kungsholm (4) - 1966-75
Stockholm (1) - 1915-28
Stockholm (2) - 1938
Stockholm (3) - 1940
Stockholm (4) - 1948-60
 
Associated Pages:-
P&O/Princess Cruises
Home Lines
Costa Line
Norddeutsche Lloyd
HAPAG-Lloyd
Regency Cruises
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
Simplon Postcards - Home Page
 
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Table of Ship Histories

Name

 Other Names

 Built
 Gripsholm (1)  Berlin

 1925
 Gripsholm (2)  Navarino, Regent Sea

 1957
 Kungsholm (3)  Europa, Columbus C

 1953
 Kungsholm (4)  Sea Princess (1), Victoria

 1966
 Stockholm (4)  Volkerfreundschaft, Italia Prima, Athena

 1948
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swedish American Fleet List
 
 
Stockholm (1) 1915-28
 
This ship was built as the Potsdam of Holland-America Line in 1900. She served as the Stockholm for Swedish American from 1915 to 1928, operating on the Gothenburg-New York route. She was sold for conversion to a whale factory ship.
 
 
An official postcard of Stockholm (1).
 
 
 
An official postcard of Stockholm (1).
This is a variation on the card above.
 
 
 
An official postcard of Stockholm (1).
 
 
 
A postcard of Stockholm (1), with wartime neutrality markings on the hull.
 
 
 
A postcard of Stockholm (1), with wartime neutrality markings on the hull.
 
 
 
A postcard of Stockholm (1), with wartime neutrality markings on the hull.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drottningholm 1920-48
 
Drottningholm was built in 1904 as the Allan Liner Virginian. She was sold in 1920 to the Swedish American Line, serving on their Gothenburg-New York route. She was re-engined in 1922, and the Holland America Liner Noordam was chartered as Kungsholm (1) in her absence (and for some time afterwards). Home Lines purchased her in 1948, and renamed her Brasil for their Genoa-S.America services. In 1950 she was switched to a Genoa-Naples-Halifax-New York route. In 1951 she was renamed Homeland, and also operated services from Germany. She was sold for scrap in 1955.
 
 
An Allan Line official card for the sisters Victorian and Virginian.
 
 
 
A Swedish American card showing the Drottningholm, with black hull.
 
 
 
A second Swedish American card showing the Drottningholm.
 
 
 
A third Swedish American card showing the Drottningholm, with white hull.
 
 
 
Jolln A.Wilkersen postcard of Kungsholm (2), Gripsholm (1) and Drottningholm in Gothenburg.
 
 
 
Postcard of Gripsholm (1) at Bordeaux.
Card supplied by Reto Raeth.
 
 
 
The following Home Lines card shows the Home Lines' Brasil, for whom she sailed between 1948-55.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kungsholm (1)
(Chartered: 1922-24)
 
Drottningholm was re-engined in 1922, and the Holland America Liner Noordam was chartered as Kungsholm (1) in her absence (and for some time afterwards).
 
 
An official postcard of Kungsholm (1).
 
 
 
An official postcard of Kungsholm (1).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borgholm 1924-34
 
Bornholm (1) was built in 1899 by Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen for services to Bornholm. In 1924 she was sold to Swedish America Line, serving as Borgholm between Östersjön-Göteborg and Klaipeda-Kalmar. In 1934 she was sold to Østersøen, and was renamed Østersøen in 1937. She was broken up in 1953.
 
 
Swedish America Line postcard of Borgholm.
Scan supplied by Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gripsholm (1) 1925-54
 
The first new Swedish American Liner was the Gripsholm, built in Newcastle in 1925. She was the first diesel-engined transatlantic liner, and operated on Swedish American's Gothenburg-New York routes. She received a major refit in 1950, receiving a new bow and funnels. Gripsholm was sold to Norddeutscher Lloyd in 1954, and renamed Berlin.
 
Complete history of Gripsholm
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm (1), prior to 1950 refit.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm - smoking room.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm - dining room.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm (1).
 
 
 
Jolln A.Wilkersen postcard of Gripsholm (1).
 
 
 
Postcard of Gripsholm (1), prior to 1950 refit.
 
 
 
Real Photographs (Liverpool) postcard of Gripsholm (1), prior to 1950 refit.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm (1).
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm (1).
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm (1) (background), with the Kungsholm of 1928.
 
 
 
Jolln A.Wilkersen postcard of Stockholm and Gripsholm (1) in Gothenburg.
 
 
 
Jolln A.Wilkersen postcard of Kungsholm (2), Gripsholm (1) and Drottningholm in Gothenburg.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm, after the 1950 refit.
 
 
 
A-B (serial number 27) postcard of Gripsholm and Swedish Lloyd's Suecia at Gothenburg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kungsholm (2) 1928-42
 
The second new Swedish American Liner was the Kungsholm, built by Blohm & Voss in 1928. She was renamed John Ericsson in 1942 and sold to Home Lines in 1948, who renamed her Italia for their Genoa-S.America services. She soon switched to the North Atlantic, sailing to both Genoa and Germany. Home Lines had run winter cruises in the 1950s, but it 1963 decided to abandon their North Atlantic routes and go cruising full-time with a year-round route from New York to Nassau. Replaced soon afterwards by their Homeric, Italia was sold as a floating hotel, but was scrapped shortly afterwards.
 
 
A Swedish American card of the Kungsholm of 1928.
 
 
 
Two variations of a Swedish American art card of the Kungsholm of 1928, with Gripsholm in the background.
 
 
 
 
 
Jolln A.Wilkersen postcard of Kungsholm.
 
 
 
Jolln A.Wilkersen postcard of Kungsholm (2), Gripsholm (1) and Drottningholm in Gothenburg.
 
 
 
Art postcard of Kungsholm in night arrival at New York.
 
 
 
A Real Photographs card of the Kungsholm of 1928.
 
 
 
A Swedish American card of the Kungsholm of 1928, with Gripsholm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholm (2) 1938
Stockholm (3) 1940
 
Three ships named Stockholm were planned in the 1930s and 1940s, all having bad luck. Stockholm (2) was destroyed by fire whilst under construction in 1938. Its replacement, Stockholm (3) was sold to the Italian government, but was destroyed in the war. I do not own a copy of this card of Stockholm - if you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk
 
 
The scan for this postcard of Stockholm (2)/(3) was supplied by Ralph O'Hara
 
 
 
Art postcard of Stockholm (2)/(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholm (4) 1948-60
 
Stockholm (4) was the first post-WW2 liner built for Swedish American, being delivered from Gothenburg builders in 1948. She was the largest passenger ship built in Sweden. Stockholm (4) is most famous for her collision with the Andrea Doria, which sank in 1956. The Stockholm was sold to East Germany in 1960, becoming the Völkerfreundschaft. She was entirely rebuilt as the cruise ship Italia Prima in 1994 for Nina Cruises of Italy, who still own her. She currently (July 2000) sails on charter as the Valtur Prima on Cuban cruises.
 
Complete history of Stockholm (4)
 
 
Swedish American postcards of Stockholm
 
 
 
Swedish American postcards of Stockholm
 
 
 
Swedish American postcards of Stockholm
 
 
 
Jolln A.Wilkersen postcard of Stockholm and Gripsholm in Gothenburg.
 
 
 
Jolln A.Wilkersen postcard of the Stockholm and the Swedish Lloyd ferry Patricia (3) at Gothenburg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kungsholm (3) 1953-65
 
Built in the Netherlands in 1953, Kungsholm (3) was the first of three striking two-funnelled liners built for Transatlantic service and cruising. The leading funnel on all three ships was a dummy. She was sold to Norddeutscher Lloyd in 1965, becoming their Europa, immediately prior to the delivery of Kungsholm (4). In 1981, Costa bought the Europa, and renamed her Columbus C. In 1984 her keel fouled the rocks near a breakwater in Cadiz. She managed to reach the quay, but sank alongside soon afterwards. Although subsequently raised, she was sold for scrap in 1985.
 
Complete history of Kungsholm (3)
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Kungsholm of 1953, stamped for the Maiden Voyage, 24.11.53.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Kungsholm of 1953.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Kungsholm of 1953.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Kungsholm of 1953.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Kungsholm of 1953.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gripsholm (2) 1957-75
 
Built in the Italy in 1957, Gripsholm (2) was a near sister to Kungsholm (3). She was sold to Karageorgis Lines in 1975, becoming their Navarino. She suffered a major fire in 1981, but returned to service as Regent Sea of Lelakis' Regency Cruises in 1984. She has been out of service since the bankruptcy of Regency.
 
Complete history of Gripsholm (2)
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm of 1957.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm of 1957.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm of 1957.
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm of 1957.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm of 1957.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm of 1957.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Gripsholm of 1957.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kungsholm (4) 1966-75
 
Kungsholm (4) was built by John Brown, Clydebank in 1966. She was sold to Flagship Cruises in 1975, retaining her name. She was sold again to P&O in 1978, becoming the Sea Princess. She has operated successively in the P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and again the P&O Cruises fleets. Later she has been renamed Victoria until sold and renamed Mona Lisa.
 
Complete history of Kungsholm (4)
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Kungsholm of 1966.
 
 
 
Swedish American postcard of Kungsholm of 1966.
 
 
 
A Flagship Cruises postcard of Kungsholm.
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
 
A Flagship Cruises postcard of Kungsholm.
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
 
A Flagship Cruises postcard of Kungsholm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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