HISTORY - KUNGSHOLM IV (1966-1975) of SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN - I

With KUNGSHOLM IV inaugurated, SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN had the ultimate benchmark of sea going luxury from the mid 1960s to mid 1970s. 
by Earl of Cruise 
A bit of history about SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN and heritage of KUNGSHOLM ...

SVENAKA AMERIKA LINIEN logo - own collection

SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN was founded in December 1914 under the name REDERIAKTIEBOLAGET SEVERIGE-NORDAMERIKA, and started it service in 1915 from Göteborg [jœtɛˈbɔrj] to New York. Establishing a Swedish passenger and freight line was a question of national pride, as Norway and Denmark already each operated their transatlantic shipping lines. Another, not often discussed reason was to be independent from foreign restrictions, especially in war times, as was from 1914 to 1918 - e.g. Switzerland´s reason for creating a fleet on its own, was the British blockade of the continent during WWI. Ten years later, 1925, the company changed its name to SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN. The SAL was amongst the first international companies to build liners with the provision for off-season cruising, as well the first to built a diesel-engined transatlantic liner. After successful years on the North Atlantic, with a strong followership amoung the international travellers, and successful cruises, where SVENSKA AMERIKA played out its unique Swedish hospitality and unpretentious, nearly easygoing luxury, the company finally had to abandom the passenger traffic in 1975, while the cargo operations lasted until the 1980s.

Poseidon statue in Göteborg - Source: Wikipedia

KUNGSHOLM IV drawing - own collection
For many ship afficionados one of the most beautiful liners and cruise ships ever built, Claes Feder the designer of KUNGSHOLM had really an eye for lines and proportions!

The first ship of SAL, then REDERIAKTIEBOLAGET SEVERIGE-NORDAMERIKA, was the Dutch, HOLLAND AMERIKA LINE, ss POTSDAM of 1900, which renamed as STOCKHOLM left for her first crossing to New York on December 11th 1915. Stoped by the British Royal Navy the voyage took 15 ½ days. The vessel and its passengers had been strictly controlled and the mail got confiscated ... a rather hostile act against a neutral and independent country. When the Kaiserreich der Deutschen declared the unrestricted submarine warfare, the STOCKHOLM was laid up for the reminder of WWI and resumed its service June 1918.

Originally it was planed to build two 18,000 GT vessels for the company, but these plans did never materialized.

STOCKHOLM, ex POSTDAM of HOLLAND AMERICA LINES - own collection
... to get a better ventilation in the boiler rooms, the funnel had to be lifted, which got her at HAL the nickname Funneldam ...

In February 1920 RAB SEVERIGE-NORDAMERIKA aquired ALLAN LINE´s ss VIRGINIAN, 1905, and inaugurated the liner under the name DROTTNINGHOLM in May 30th 1920. During winter 1922 to 1923 the liner was refurbished, re-engined and the superstructure enlarged. From February 1923 till December 18th 1924 the 1902 built NOORDAM of HOLLAND AMERIKA LINE was chartered, and sailed for SAL from Göteborg to Amerika as ss KUNGSHOLM.

 KUNGSHOLM I, ex NOORDAM of HAL - own collection

DROTTNINGHOLM, ex VIRGINIAN of ALLAN LINE - own collection

A first newbuild order was placed by RAB SVERIGE-NORDAMERIKA with ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH & Co in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was the GRIPSHOLM, christened on November 26th 1924 and delivered November 1925, and the first diesel-engined liner on the Transatlantic route. The same day the liner was delivered the RAB SVERIGE-NORDAMERIKA changed its name official into SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN. November 21st 1925 set sail for her inaugural crossing to New York.

GRIPSHOLM I of 1925 - own collection

The success of GRISHOLM encouraged SAL to order a second vessel, the KUNGSHOLM, of larger but similar design and again diesel-engined with  BLOHM&VOSS on December 28th 1926. A significant change was implemented from the start of the design - for the off season cruisings the passengers capacity was to be reduced from 1,344 in liner service to 600 only in one class during cruises.

In 1926 SAL decided to enter the cruise market for off season cruises and started offering cruises with their GRIPSHOLM and STOCKHOLM in 1927.

KUNGSHOLM II, 1928, painting by Alexander Kirchner - Source: Wikipedia

KUNGSHOLM II, 1928 - own collection

KUNGSHOLM II, 1928, First Class Lobby - Source: Wikipedia

KUNGSHOLM II, 1928, First Class staircase - own collection

KUNGSHOLM II, 1928, First Class Smoking Room - Source:Wikipedia

KUNGSHOLM II, 1928, First Class Swiming Pool - Source:Wikipedia

KUNGSHOLM II, 1928, First Class staircase in front of the Dining Room - Source:Wikipedia

The new KUNGSHOLM was delivered on October 13th 1928 and was the seconed liner, after  ÎLE DE FRANCE, to be decorated in Art Deco. KUNGSHOLM inaugurated November 24th 1928 with her first crossing to New York. The STOCKHOLM was sold to Norwegian interests, who converted her into the whale factory ship SOLGLIMT.

With GRIPSHOLM and KUNGSHOLM the Swedish line gained much popularity amoung the European and American travellers, with their liner service and too as luxurious cruise vessels. With the delivery of KUNGSHOLM the whole SAL fleet changed to white hull painting.
Amoung the passengers of KUNGSHOLM had the divine Greta Garbo, (video la Garbo returning to Hollywood) Sigvard Bernadotte, and Alva and Gunnar Myrdal.

Till the 1930s SAL operated the DROTTNINGHOLM, GRIPSHOLM and KUNGSHOLM and placed November 1936 an order with CANTIERI RIUNITY dell'ADRIATICO, Monfalcone, Italy for another diesel-engined vessel the STOCKHOLM. The delivery was planed for March 1939, but during her final stage of outfitting a fire destroyed the ship beyond repair and a new vessel, again named STOCKHOLM, was laid down, based on the same but improved design.

STOCKHOLM was launched March 10th 1940, WWII was raging over the world, after the Austrian wallpainter was invading Poland and Japan destroyed China with its colonial motivated war. GRIPSHOLM and DROTTNINGHOLM had been laid up in Gotenborg, while KUNGSHOLM made her last Transatlantic voyage in October 1939, and was used for cruises in the West Indies until 1941. Having no use for its newbuild, due to the war, SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN decided to sell the STOCKHOLM to the Italian gouvernment on November 3rd 1941, who converted her into the trooper SABAUDIA. The liner was sunk by the RAF outside Trieste on July 6th 1944.

STOCKHOLM II, 1938, after her launching - own collection
The "Italian STOCKHOLM" is depicting modern lines and showcasing the Italian easyness of their design capabilities

STOCKHOLM II, 1940, during her test trials - own collection

STOCKHOLM III, 1940, as the Italian SABAUDIA after being attacted by the RAF, burning - own collection, Source: Collezione Guido Alfano

If STOCKHOLM would have entered service for SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN, she would have been the largest ship ever to build for SAL.

The US government confiscated KUNGSHOLM in December 1941 while in New York. Against international law (I have the power, and I do what I need!) ... After negotiations with SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN, the company agreed to sell the vessel to the War Shipping Administration (WSA) for US$ 6 million. The WSA renamed the ship JOHN ERICSSON and used her for trooping duties till her lay up in 1945.
SAL bought the vessel back, refurbished and rebuilt her, and handed her over to the joint venture HOME LINES as their ITALIA.

ITALIA, ex JOHN ERICSSON, ex KUNGSHOLM II, 1928 - own collection

DROTTNINGHOLM, ex POTSDAM, 1900, as "diplomatic vessel" - own collection

GRIPSHOLM I, 1925, as the "diplomatic vessel" - own collection

The DROTTNINGHOLM was chartered to the US government to be used as repatriation vessel between the USA and the Axis Powers. As Sweden was a neutral country during WWII, the Swedish flagged vessel could be used for sailings, under the command of  SeaCaptain John Nordlander, between the enemies. Later she did the same duties under British governement charter. In June 1942 GRIPSHOLM was chartered too be used by the US government for repatriation voyages. GRIPSHOLM´s charter ended in 1946, while DROTTNINGHOLM´s charter ended 1945. both vessels made 33 such diplomatic voyages.

During the war SAL placed 1944 an order with GÖTAVERKEN in Göteborg for a 12,165 GT cargo-passenger vessel - known as the STOCKHOLM.

STOCKHOLM IV, 1948, drawing, built at the GÖTAVERKEN - own collection

The vessel was often compared with a yacht.

STOCKHOLM IV, 1948, General Arragement Plan (GA), built at the GÖTAVERKEN - own collection, Source: GÖTAVERKEN

STOCKHOLM IV, 1948, SAL postcard, built at the GÖTAVERKEN - own collection, Source: Delcampe

With DE SCHELDE was signed a newbuild contract for a newbuilt, that was launched October 18th 1952 as the third KUNGSHOLM. The new liner was delivered September 30th 1953. Her inaugural voyage to New York started November 24th 1953. When STOCKHOLM was rebuilt with larger passenger accomodations, after introducing the new KUNGSHOLM, the ageing GRIPSHOLM was first chartered and later sold to NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD. The LLOYD did rebuild the vessel and transformed her into the BERLIN, the first German passenger liner after WWII.

KUNGSHOLM III, 1953 - postcard, own collection

BERLIN 1953, ex GRIPSHOLM 1925 - own collection

With ANSALDO on September 14th 1954 SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN signed a contract for the construction of enlarged and improved KUNGSHOLM design, which proved to be very economic, and welcomed by the international travellers. The second GRIPSHOLM was launched on April 8th 1956. Both ships basically had no interior cabins.

GRIPSHOLM II, 1957 - own collection

Three month after launching the new GRIPSHOLM the STOCKHOLM collided with ANDREA DORIA off Nantucket. It was one of the most famous maritime desasters of the 20th century where 47 passengers onboard the ANDREA DORIA did die, and five crewmembers of STOCKHOLM where lost. The still floatable STOCKHOLM rescued passengers of ANDREA DORIA, while ÎLE DE FRANCE took the major role during the rescue efforts, and became the honoring nickname Saint Berhard of the Northatlantic.

STOCKHOLM limped on its own power back to New York and was repaired at BETHLEHEM STEEL and returned to service on November 5th 1956. This repair proved to be not a good as was seen during the reconstruction of then VÖLKERFREUNDSCHAFT into the ITALIA PRIMA, the vessel was sold to VEB DEUTSCHE SEEREEDEREI of late GDR in May 1959 and delivered on January 3rd 1960. The whole bow section proved to be of minor quality and had to be reconstructed.

On May 14th 1957 the new luxurious GRIPSHOLM started her inaugural crossing to New York. SAL operated now three ships for the next three years - STOCKHOLM, 1948, KUNGSHOLM, 1953, GRIPSHOLM, 1957.

The elegant by Claes Feder designed, and ultra luxury KUNGSHOLM IV during outfitting at John Brown and Company - own collection

From JOHN BROWN and Company, Clydebank, SAL ordered a new vessel, to be named KUNGSHOLM, as the fourth vessel with that name. The vessel was launched on April 14th 1964. Her design featured several cruise-friendly and luxurious innovations, including all-outside cabins and large lido decks. The old KUNGSHOLM was sold to NORDDEUTSCHER LLYOD on October 5th 1965. After rebuilding the vessel in their own repair fascility LLOYD WERFT the vessel emerged as the third EUROPA on the Northatlantic and accompanied BREMEN, ex PASTEUR on that route as well for cruises. As the cruise vessel EUROPA she was reputated as one of the most luxurious cruise offers in the world - beside the fourth KUNGSHOLM, the brand new HAMBURG of 1969, the GRIPSHOLM and the still sailing old STELLA SOLARIS.

The rather extraordinary removable cieling of the salon/bar between the two funnels of KUNGSHOLM / EUROPA stayed with NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD, here called Taverne, closed on EUROPA.

EUROPA III, 1966, ex KUNGSHOLM III, 1953 - own collection, Source: Delcampe

To increase revenues SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN contracted several partnerships for freight and ferry businesses, and aquired the LINDBLADEXPLORER, the first purpose built Arctic passenger expedition vessel ever. One of the earlier coopearations, joint ventures, has been HOME LINES of Vernicos Eugenides.

Increasing operational costs caused by the oil crisis of the early 70s, after the Jom-Kipur-War and increasing wages for the crews of Swedish flagged vessels forced SAL into negotiations with the trade unions to reflagg the vessels GRIPSHOLM and KUNGSHOLM to a flag of convinient, as f.e. Panama. These negotiations failed and SAL decided to abandon any passenger traffic, despite massive protests from the US sales office as they had massive bookings. Both ships were taken out of service and laid up in Augus 1975 and put on the sales market.

KUNGSHOLM IV, 1966, during a circumnavigation in Hawaii - own collection

When on cruise KUNGSHOLM catered a max of 450 guests, served by 417 crew members

When on Transatlantic service she accomodated 108 First Class and 605 Second Class passengers, catered by a crew of 480

For only 65 million Swedish Krona the KUNGSHOLM was bought by FLAGSHIP CRUISES in October 1975 which took over the sold cruise program of SAL for KUNGSHOLM. They even did not change the name. In November 1975 KARAGEORGIS LINES bought the GRIPSHOLM and did massive reconstructions and inaugurated her as their luxurious NAVARINO. She was competing with SUN LINES recently, 1972, introduced STELLA SOLARIS, ex CAMBODGE. Both vessels had been in her heydays under Greek flagg, despite their increased passenger capacities, the top of luxury from Greece, and both vessels had been featured often in the members magazines of e.g. DINERS CLUB and other luxury related magazines.

KUNGSHOLM IV, 1966, during her FLAGSHIP CRUISES days 1975 - 78 - own collection

... the only difference to SAL days was the increased passenger number during her cruises 720 max, served by 400 crew, so a bit less luxurious then with SAL ... but still luxurious.

GRIPSHOLM II after conversion into the Greek NAVARINO of KARAGEORGIS LINES, later KARAGEORGIS CRUISES - own collection

... the difference to SAL days was the increased passenger number during her cruises to max 820 guests, served by max 400 crew ... but still luxurious.

Only LINDBLAD EXPLORER stayed with SAL ownership ...

HISTORY - KUNGSHOLM IV (1966-1975) of SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN - II