MS Gripsholm Collection

Gripsholm (1925) Swedish-American Line

Built by Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co., Newcastle, England. Tonnage: 17,716. Dimensions: 553' x 74' (574' O.I.). Twin-screw, 17 knots. Motorship. Two masts and two funnels. Note: The first trans-Atlantic liner with Diesel motors. Passengers: 127 first, 482 second, 948 third. Maiden voyage: Gothenburg-New York, November 21,1925. WWII Service: She became famous as a repatriation ship during World War II. Post War Service: Resumed regular passenger service in March 1946. Modifications: Tonnage increased to 19,105. Passengers: (post-war) 210 first and 710 tourist. New Owners: Sold to German owners in 1954. Renamed: Berlin (1955).

 

 

 

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Excerpts from Information for Passengers

 

THE PURSER'S OFFICE on the B-Deck is open between: 9—11 a.m. and 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

MEALS are served as under:

First class

• Breakfast at 8:30-9:30 a.m.
• Bouillon and crackers at 11 a. m
• Luncheon at 1—2:30 p.m
• Tea at 4:30 p. m
• Dinner at 7—8:30 p. m
• Buffet at about 10:30 p. m

Tourist class

• Breakfast at 8:00 am to 9:00 am
• Luncheon at 12:30 p.m.
• Tea or coffee at 3:30 p.m.
• Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
• Buffet at about 10 p. m

A bugle and a gong will be sounded half an hour before and at the beginning of meals in the first and tourist class respectively.

SEATS AT THE DINING TABLES will be assigned by the Chief Stewards in the respective classes immediately after departure and regard will be shown, as far as possible, to the wishes of the passengers. Children under 10 paying half fare, and servants are, as a rule, served their meals separately.

FORMAL DRESS at dinner, although optional, is suggested for passengers in First Class.

LIGHTS are turned out in the Saloons and in the Smoking Rooms at 12 midnight. After this hour and up to 7:00 am Decks and Public Rooms are usually not accessible to passengers.

SMOKING. Passengers are kindly requested not to smoke in the Dining Saloons.

BAGGAGE. Only hand baggage and »Cabin trunks» are allowed in the staterooms. Such baggage must be provided with »Stateroom» labels. Baggage marked »Wanted» is placed in the Baggage Rooms, which are accessible every day between 11:00 am to 12 noon and 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Baggage not marked in the said way will be placed in the hold and will not be accessible during the voyage.

EXTRA TABLES for use in cabins may be had through the stateroom steward, who has a limited number at his disposal.

TYPEWRITERS. A limited number is set apart for the use of passengers. Apply to the Purser's Office.

DECK CHAIRS, STEAMER RUGS, and CHAIR CUSHIONS may be rented from the Deck Steward at a charge of Kr. 5:50, Kr. 5:50 and Kr. 2:75 respectively, for the voyage. — Blankets and pillows must not be taken from the staterooms for use on deck.

GYMNASIUM. Adjoining the aquasanium on the F-deck is the ship's spacious gymnasium, equipped with all forms of mechanical apparatus.

BATHS. Passengers should order baths from the Bathroom Steward or the Stewardess. The bathrooms are open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm All baths are free of charge.

MASSAGE. The services of competent Masseurs and Masseuses are available at nominal charges. Appointment may be made through the Purser's Office.

MEDICAL ATTENTION. A Physician and Surgeon approved by the Royal Swedish Board of Health and experienced Nurses are employed on board. Doctor's Office is located on B-deck aft. Office hours 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm but the Doctor may, if necessary, be consulted at any other time. In the case of illness originating on board, no charges will be made, and such medicines as are prescribed by the Ship's Surgeon will be furnished free of charge.

DIVINE SERVICE will generally be held on Sundays and Holy Days. Due notice will be given in the morning.

TRAP SHOOTING. Weather permitting, trap shooting with clay pigeons will be arranged daily. Further announcement will be found on Bulletin Board.

BARBERS, HAIRDRESSERS, and MANICURISTS are at the service of passengers between 8:00 am to 9:00 am, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

LIBRARY. Against a deposit of Kr. 10:— and receipt given to the Deck Steward, books may be borrowed, but must be returned not later than the day before arrival in port. Deposits will be refunded at the end of the voyage, or when books are returned.

MUSIC. The musicians of the Line are paid for their services by the Company and may not in any form solicit contributions from the passengers.

VALUABLES. In no case is the Company responsible for money, jewellery or other valuables, the property of passengers. Passengers are warned not to leave valuables of any kind lying about in their staterooms. Money and other valuables may be deposited in a safe at Purser's Office. As, however, the Company makes no charge for taking care of the articles, it also accepts no responsibility for loss or damage from whatever cause arising.

MAIL to passengers, sent to the care of the Company or its vessels, is delivered on board before docking at New York. Those expecting letters should inquire for such and leave their forwarding address at the Purser's Office prior to debarkation.

RADIOGRAMS. The liner maintains direct radio commu-nication with America and Europe throughout the voyage and is also communicating with ships in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Radio Operator will receive messages for transmission and quote rates for radiograms and Ocean letters. For further information apply to the Radio Office on Boat-deck.

GAMES of HAZARD are prohibited.

RESTRICTIONS. Passengers are restricted to the class for which their tickets call, unless an important reason can be proved for entering the accommodation reserved for another class. The Purser will in such case give the permission required.

CUSTOMS DECLARATION FOR BAGGAGE. Persons domiciled in, and returning to America, in order to avoid any difficulty with the Custom Authorities at New York, should, when onboard making out the »Baggage declaration and entry», be careful precisely to enumerate such articles as have been acquired during the sojourn in Europe, and now brought into America. This is highly important.

EXAMINATION ON Arrival. The data of information which, before embarking, each passenger supplies about himself, are entered upon so-called »Manifests » for handing to American or Canadian Immigration Authorities at the port of destination. The Authorities concerned then being in possession of such data, it is most important that the passengers at their examination on disembarking should be careful not to make any statement not in accordance with those previously given.

ARRIVALS AT NEW YORK. Passengers are landed at Pier No. 97, Foot of West 57th Street. When the required examination by the immigration officials has been completed, passengers should have their stateroom baggage brought ashore by the bedroom steward.

After having ascertained that all baggage corresponding with the entry on the baggage declaration is available on the pier, the passenger should proceed to the Custom Assignment Desk and there present coupon detached on board from the baggage declaration.

A custom inspector will be assigned for inspection of the baggage, and after its completion the passenger should have one of the uniformed porters to convey the baggage outside the custom's enclosure.

Passengers desiring to have their baggage transferred by express to railroad station or local address, will find Express Companies represented immediately outside the baggage enclosure.

Passengers are specially requested to claim their baggage before leaving the custom's baggage enclosure on the pier, as otherwise considerable delay and extra charge for carriage will be incurred in forwarding to destination any baggage not accompanying passengers on railway.

AN INFORMATION BOOTH with representatives from the Line in attendance will be found immediately opposite the gangway.

PUBLIC TELEPHONES. Booths will be found at the exit of the pier.

TAXICABS can be rented at the exit of the pier.

FORWARDING of PASSENGERS. For the convenience of all passengers disembarking at our pier in New York, who are destined to interior points, the Railroad Lines out of New York, as well as Steamship Lines for Boston, have representatives on the pier to meet passengers and arrange to issue railroad tickets to all points in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as tickets to Boston, per steamer.

These representatives will also arrange to check baggage through from our pier to destination, relieving passengers of the annoyance of purchasing their tickets at the depot or re-checking their baggage. Transfer charges from our pier to rail depots or steamship dock must be paid by passengers.

REFUND OF HEAD TAX. With certain exceptions all passengers other than citizens of the United States of America have to pay a so-called »Head Tax», amounting to $8:—. This tax is collected together with the purchase price of the ocean fare.

Pursuant to the »Immigration Rules» of May 17, 1917, any person who, when landing at the USA, does inform the Landing Officer that he intends to depart from the U. S.A. within 60 days after the date of arrival, will on request receive from the Immigration Inspector a certificate stating the date of landing (Form. 514).

On embarking for departure the traveller should hand this certificate along with receipt for Head Tax paid to the Purser who, provided the traveller has not remained in the USA a longer period than that specified therein (60 days), will refund the amount paid in respect of the said tax.

Only those passengers who have already on their arrival in the USA made a statement as above and received such certificate are entitled to any refund of the Head Tax. Application for such refund should be made to the Purser or to any of the Company's offices not later than 90 days after the date of arrival, or no refund can be made.

Notice of Quarantine No. 37

The United States Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine and Control Administration, advises under »Notice of Quarantine No. 37», that plants, soil or other similar materials cannot be imported into the United States, either as souvenirs or in any other category.

Returning passengers, particularly those emanating from the battle fields, are caused intense disappointment through having such materials confiscated by the Customs. This regulation is brought to the notice of all passengers, especially those destined to the battle fields, who for sentimental reasons may be inclined to obtain such materials for souvenirs, etc.

Source: SS Gripsholm Passenger List -- 19 September 1936