Swedish pass/cargo Liner GRIPSHOLM (1), imo 5504236 was a 17.993gt ship, length 175m two funnels, two masts, twin screw, 16 knots. Built with accommodation for 127-1st, 482-2nd and 948-3rd class passengers. Built by Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co, Walker-on-Tyne (engines by Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen), she was launched on 26/11/1924 and completed 11/1925 for the Swedish America Line, Stockholm. Her maiden voyage from Gothenburg to New York started on 1925. Her passenger accommodation was altered several times - 1932 1st, tourist and 3rd class; 1936 182-cabin, 494-tourist and 902-3rd class. Her last Gothenburg - New York - Gothenburg voyage started 24/11/1939 and between 1940-1945 she made many voyages as a 'mercy ship' in the service of the International Red Cross, exchanging prisoners and wounded. On 31/03/1946 she sailed from New York for Havre, Oslo and Gothenburg and resumed Gothenburg - New York sailings in 05/1946 with accommodation for 246-1st, 50-cabin and 760-tourist class passengers. Rebuilt and modernised in 1950 to 18,600gt and with accommodation for 246-1st and 760-tourist class passengers, she started her last Gothenburg - Halifax - New York voyage on 29/12/1953. Sold to the Bremen AmeriKa Line, Bremen in 01/1954, she sailed between Bremen - Gothenburg - Halifax and New York. Renamed BERLIN in 01/1955 she was used on the Bremen - New York service and in 1955 came under the ownership of Nordeutscher Lloyd, Bremen. Her last New York - Bremen crossing started on 03/09/1966 and she was scrapped at La Spezia the same year. (Ships Description).
Owner's post card - my collection |