SS Maasdam Archival Collection

Content Links

• Maasdam (1871) Holland-America Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Maasdam (1872) Holland-America Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Maasdam (1921) Holland-American Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Maasdam (1952) Holland-America Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Passenger Lists
• Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs
• Advertisements
• Menus
• Photographs
• Postcards
• Excerpts from Information for Passengers
• Books Referencing the SS Maasdam

Maasdam (1871) Holland-America Line

Sailed for the Holland-America Line (NASM) from 1889-1902

Built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd., Belfast, Ireland. Tonnage: 3,984. Dimensions: 420' x 40'. Propulsion: Single-screw, 15 knots. Compound engines. Four masts and one funnel. Service: Rotterdam-New York, 1889-1901. New triple expansion engines and boilers installed in 1890. Renamed: Vittoria (1902), (b) Citta di Napoli (1902). Fate: Scrapped in 1910. Previously Named: Republic (1889).

Maasdam (1872) Holland-America Line

Sailed for the Holland-America Line (NASM) from 1883-1884

Built by Henderson, Coulborn & Co., Glasgow, Scotland. Tonnage: 1,703. Dimensions: 255' x 35'. Propulsion: Single-screw, 10 knots. Compound engines. Masts and Funnels: Two masts and one funnel. Accommodations: 8 first class and 388 third class passengers, with a crew of 46. Fate: Destroyed by fire at sea, while on voyage to New York, October 24, 1884. Previously Named: Maas (1883).

Maasdam (1921) Holland-American Line

Built by Maats. Fyenoord, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Tonnage: 8,812. Dimensions: 450' x 58'. Propulsion: Single-screw, 13 knots. Three steam turbines. Two masts and two funnels. Passengers: 174 cabin, 800 third. Service: Rotterdam-Cuba- Mexico. Also made North Atlantic sailings to New York and Baltimore. Rebuilt with one funnel in 1934. Alternate Configuration: Passenger accommodation changed to 30 cabin and 60 third class. Fate: Torpedoed and sunk in North Atlantic by German submarine, July 26, 1941, with the loss of two lives. Sister ships: Edam, Leerdam and Spaarndam.

Maasdam (1952) Holland-America Line

SS Maasdam (1952) of the Holland-America Line. Photo by Eric Koch, 14 November 1963. GGA Image ID # 1e0aa6af5a

Built by N. V. Wilton, Fijenoord, Schiedam, Netherlands. Tonnage: 15,015. Dimensions: 474' x 69; (503' o.l.). Propulsion: Single-screw, 17 knots. Two steam turbines on one propulsion shaft. Two masts and one funnel. Laid down December 19, 1950. Decks: 10. Launched: 5 April 1952 by Mrs. Adriaan Gips. Capacity: 783 First Class, 734 Tourist Class, 336 Crew Members. Maiden voyage: Rotterdam to Montreal and New York via Soutampton and Le Havre, 11 August 1952. Passengers: 39 first and 836 tourist. Sister ship: Ryndam.

Passenger Lists

Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs

Advertisements

Advertisement: Delightful Summer and Fall Cruises by the New Completely Air-Conditioned SS Maasdam and SS Ryndam. SS Maasdam from New York to Bermuda: 5 Days July 27 — August I $110 and up Plus U.S. Transp. Tax. Port au Prince - Cartagena - Cristobal - Kingston 13 Days, October 16 — October 29 $ 255 and Up. No U.S. Transp. Tax. SS Ryndam from New York to Curacao - La Guaira - St. Thomas: 12 Days November 4 — November 16 $ 225 and Up. No. U.S. Transp. Tax. On These Cruises the Ship Will Be Your Hotel Throughout at No Extra Cost. For Further Particulars Apply to the Purser on Board or to the Offices or Agencies of the "It's Good to Be on a Well-Run Ship." SS Maasdam Passenger List, 15 July 1953. GGA Image ID # 1e0bd0f444

Program of Cruises Made by the Palatial Nieuw Amsterdam and the Entirely Air-Conditioned Maasdam for 1953-1954. GGA Image ID # 1f73d5f194

Holland-America Line Program of Cruises by the Luxurious Flagship Nieuw Amsterdam and the Entirely Air-Conditioned Maasdam and Ryndam for 1954-1955. GGA Image ID # 1f752f6414

Advertisement: Holland-America Line's 1964-1965 Fall and Early Winter West Indies Cruise Program. TSS Nieuw Amsterdam First and Tourist Class Passenger List, 12 June 1964. GGA Image ID #

11 "HAPPY SHIP" CRUISES FROM NEW YORK CITY

1. OCT. 2 NIEUW AMSTERDAM: 10 1/2 DAYS FROM $295 To Nassau. Montego Bay. St. Thomas
2. OCT. 14 NIEUW AMSTERDAM: 5 1/2 DAYS FROM $165 To Bermuda
3. OCT. 21 NIEUW AMSTERDAM: 11 1/2 DAYS FROM $320 To Montego Bay. Curacao. St. Thomas
4. NOV. 5 NIEUW AMSTERDAM: 13 DAYS FROM $365 To Curacao. Trinidad. Barbados. Martinique. St. Thomas
5. NOV. 25 ROTTERDAM: 10 DAYS FROM $310 To Antigua. Nevis. St. Kitts. San Juan. St. Thomas
6. DEC. 7 ROTTERDAM: 9 DAYS FROM $280 To Nassau. San Juan. St. Thomas
7. DEC. 18 ROTTERDAM: 15 DAYS FROM $495 To Nassau. San Juan. St. Thomas. Barbados. Grenada. La Guairá. Curacao
8. DEC. 21 NIEUW AMSTERDAM: 13 1/2 DAYS FROM $425 To Nassau, Montego Bay, Curacao, Guadeloupe, St. Thomas
9. DEC. 21 MAASDAM: 12 DAYS FROM $305 To Curacao, San Juan, St. Thomas
10. JAN. 4 ROTTERDAM: 15 DAYS FROM $475 To Montego Bay, Curacao, La Guairá, Barbados, Martinique, San Juan, St. Thomas
11. JAN. 6 NIEUW AMSTERDAM: 10 1/2 DAYS FROM $305 To Nassau, Montego Bay, St. Thomas

consult the Chief Purser's office or your own travel agent

Menus

Westbound Sailing Schedule, Rotterdam-New York, from 16 January 1956 to 6 August 1956. Ships Included the Maasdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Ryndam, and Westerdam. Holland-America Line Sailing List Brochure, January 1956. GGA Image ID # 209e6ad34e

Eastbound Sailing Schedule, New York-Rotterdam, from 7 January 1956 to 9 August 1956. Ships Included the Maasdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Ryndam, and Westerdam. Holland-America Line Sailing List Brochure, January 1956. GGA Image ID # 209ea200f5

Westbound Sailing Schedule, Rotterdam-New York, from 3 August 1956 to 17 December 1956. Ships Included the Maasdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Ryndam, and Westerdam. Holland-America Line Sailing List Brochure, January 1956. GGA Image ID # 209ecb6ee9

Eastbound Sailing Schedule, New York-Rotterdam, from 5 August 1956 to 22 December 1956. Ships Included the Maasdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Ryndam, and Westerdam. Holland-America Line Sailing List Brochure, January 1956. GGA Image ID # 209ed4fbec

Photographs

SS Maasdam of the Holland-America Line, 2 May 1891. Photo by J. S. Johnston. Published by Detroit Publishing Company No. 022370. Library of Congress LCCN 2016795270. GGA Image ID # 207e2e096c

SS Maasdam (1952) of the Holland-America Line Shown Near Rotterdam Harbor. Photo by Eric Koch, 14 November 1963. GGA Image ID # 1e0ab4e0cd

Postcards

Holland-America Line SS Maasdam, 15,024 Gross Tons, Complete Air-Conditioning, Swimming Pool, and Automatic Stabilizers. Regular Transatlantic Service and Luxury Cruises. GGA Image ID # 1e0ac50b10

Excerpts from Information for Passengers

Information for Passengers - 15 July 1953

Baby Food. The attention of Passengers is drawn to the large selection of strained baby and junior food available to Passengers with children in all passenger vessels of the Company.

For the necessary arrangements, Passengers are invited to apply to the Chief Steward.

Baggage. Trunks exceeding the ordinary measurements cannot be taken into the cabins. It is forbidden to have in one's baggage, inflammable, explosive or other dangerous articles. The ship's staff reserve all rights to eliminate all such articles, if deemed necessary. All inquiries pertaining to the storing or forwarding of baggage should be addressed to the Baggage Master. Upon arrival at New York moreover Century Transportation Company representatives are available to take orders for delivery of trunks and larger pieces to any destination indicated by the passenger.

Baggage Insurance. The Company's liability for damage to or loss or detention of baggage is strictly limited and Passengers are therefore advised to protect themselves by insurance against risk of loss, theft, damage, pilferage, etc. Policies may be obtained at current rates at any office of the Company.

Barber and Ladies' Hair Dresser. A barber's and ladies-hairdresser's shop is installed on board. The charges for services are announced by the Company.

Change of Cabins. Change of cabins is only permissible when authorized by the Purser.

Customs Clearance. On landing at New York, all baggage will be examined by the Customs Officials. It is therefore recommended that Passengers make full enquiries at the Purser's office about the Customs regulations and to fill in carefully the Customs declaration form handed to them by the Purser.

Dangerous Articles. Dangerous articles such as inflammable and explosive objects may not be taken aboard. The attention of our Passengers is also drawn to the fact that it is very dangerous to throw away lighted cigars, cigarettes or burning tobacco discards (even when thrown overboard as they might enter the vessel's interior through open portholes). Passengers are therefore requested to use the receptacles provided on board for this purpose.

Deck Chairs, Rugs and Chair Cushions. Deck chairs, rugs and chair cushions may be hired on application to the Deck Steward. The charges are: Deck chairs f 3.80 or $ 1.—, chair cushions and rugs f 2.66 or $ 0.70 each per voyage.

Deck Games. Implements for deck games such as quoits, deck tennis, deck golf, shuffle board etc. are supplied free of charge. When joining these games Passengers do so at their own risk and any mishaps or injuries which may occur, are without any responsibility on the part of the Company.

Divine Service. Divine service will be held on Sundays, at hours announced on the bulletin board, if a recognized clergyman on board is willing to officiate.

Drinks, Tobacco Etc. Wines, beer, liquor and many other beverages as well as cigarettes, cigars and tobacco, may be obtained on board at prices fixed by the Company. Passengers are not allowed to bring with them large quantities of liquor or tobacco for personal use. Any large quantities must be reported to the Purser for Customs declaration. They will be kept in custody by the Purser in an appropriate room.

Landing Cards. All Passengers will receive a Landing Card and are requested to present same before leaving the steamer to a U.S. Immigration Inspector for endorsement.

Lost and Found Articles. Found articles are to be handed over and lost articles to be reported to the Chief Steward. Articles not called for before arrival, or left in the cabins, will be handed over to the agency at the port of arrival, where Passengers may claim them or make inquiries.

Mail and Telegrams. Mail and telegrams for Passengers are brought on board the steamer before sailing and placed in the passenger's rooms. For any inquiries relating to mail, Passengers are invited to call at the Chief Steward's office. Passengers are advised to stop at the mail desk in the centre of the Pier at Hoboken, N.J., to claim letters and telegrams, which may have been received for them. Mail to be forwarded can be handed over to the Purser, who will take care of it. Postage stamps may be obtained to a limited number from the Library Steward.

In order to prevent the loss of mail, Passengers are requested to stamp their letters etc. themselves and to deposit same personally in the mailbox, destined for that purpose.

Under no circumstances can the Holland-America Line be held responsible for the loss of mail.

Meals. The hours during which meals will be served will be shown on the ship's bulletin boards. Passengers are kindly requested to observe these hours.

Medical Attention. The services rendered and the medicines prescribed by the ship's Physician are free of charge. The Holland-America Line assumes no responsibility for any treatment or services rendered by the Physician or for any medicines supplied. The ship's Physician is entitled to make reasonable charge for attendance or treatment for ailments or conditions antedating embarkation of the passenger.

Money-Exchange. During the voyage the Ship's personnel is allowed to accept only Dutch and American money in payment of expenses made by the Passengers. Opportunity is therefore given to exchange other foreign currency into Dutch money at the Purser's office at rates of exchange fixed by the Company. Only the Purser is authorized to exchange or accept other foreign currency.

Some articles on sale in the gift shops are only obtainable against payment in U.S. currency, both on the West- and Eastbound voyages.

Payments. Passengers paying any supplements for roomtransfers, additional passage money, freight, telegrams, etc., should obtain a receipt from the Purser on the Company's form. For radiograms a receipt will be furnished by the Wireless Operator.

Ship's Newspaper. The "Ocean Post" will be published on board, giving latest news of the day. Leading New York Stock Exchange quotations are posted about midnight on the ship's bulletin board.

Table Sitting. Table and seats should be reserved on board at the Chief Steward's office after embarkation.

Transportation From Hoboken

a. Motor Coach Service. For the convenience of Passengers a special bus service is operated between the Company's Pier at Hoboken N.J. and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, 8th Avenue and 41st Street, New York City, in connection with the arrival and departure of vessels.

Reservations should preferably be made through the Purser on board. Passengers, not holding reservations, who, after disembarkation, decide to avail themselves of the bus, may purchase their tickets from the Company's representative in attendance at the point of departure.

Handbaggage, with the exception of trunks and cases, may be taken along on the bus without extra charge. Charge per seat: U.S. $ 1.25 per adult and children 6 years of age and over. Children under 6 years of age, not occupying separate seats, are carried free.

Taxicabs may be found at the Bus Terminal for Passengers wishing to proceed from there to other points in Metropolitan New York.

b. Taxicabs. Taxicabs are also available at the Hoboken Pier. The City authorities of Hoboken have passed an Ordinance to control the rates charged bij taxicabs licensed in that City. The maximum rates established by law are: For one to four Passengers, including tunnel tolls:

• To Pennsylvania Station $ 6.50
• To Grand Central Station $ 7.00
• To a point between 96th and 110th St $ 9.00
• To a point within one mile radius of Borough Hall, Brooklyn $ 10.00
• To Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Terminal, Jersey City $ 5.00
• For all luggage, handbags, trunks or packages, per piece $ 0.40

Additional information and rates will be furnished on application to the Purser's office.

Important. The rates quoted in this list are correct. Upon arrival the taxi driver may tell you that the rates have been changed and that the new rates are much higher. If you do engage a taxicab and are charged more than the rate mentioned in this list or on the Bulletin Board on the pier, you should take the name and license number of the taxi driver and, if possible, secure a receipt for the amount paid. The matter should then be reported to the Holland-America Line, 29 Broadway, New York, N.Y., who will notify the proper authorities and endeavour to secure a refund of the overcharge.

Valuables. The Company is not responsible for theft of valuables or money which are kept in the staterooms and same should be placed in safety deposit boxes in the Purser's office. A deposit of f 25.— or its equivalent is required but this amount will be refunded when the key of the deposit box is returned to the Purser. As no charge is made for carriage, the Company cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage however arising, except as stipulated in the passage contract. Passengers are accordingly requested to protect themselves by insurance.

Windows and Portholes. To ensure proper functioning of the air-conditioning system, all windows and portholes must be kept closed. For this reason, and in their own interest, Passengers are not permitted to open windows or portholes themselves and those ignoring this warning, do so at their own risk. The Company assumes no liability in case of accident or damage.

Windows and portholes may be opened only at the discretion of the Commander and then only by authorized stewards.

All staterooms are equipped with adjustable air diffusers, and these may be controlled by Passengers according to their individual requirements.

Source: SS Maasdam Passenger List - 15 July 1953

Books Referencing the SS Maasdam