SS Pretoria Archival Collection

SS Pretoria of the Hamburg-Amerika Linie c1898. Photo by John S. Johnston. Detroit Publishing Company No. 022377. Library of Congress LCN 2016805782. GGA Image ID # 1ee43e6df3

Content Links

• Pretoria (1897) Hamburg-American Line Ship's History (Brief)
• Passenger Lists
• Menus
• Brochures
• Sailing Schedules
• Photographs
• Programs
• Advertisements
• Postcards
• Excerpts from Information for Passengers
• Other Ephemera
• Books Referencing the SS Pretoria

Pretoria (1897) Hamburg-American Line

Built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, Germany. Tonnage: 13,234. Dimensions: 561' x 62'. Twin-screw, 13H knots. Quadruple expansion engines. Four masts and one funnel. Service: Hamburg-New York. Passengers: 160 first, 190 second, 2,400 third class. Post War Service: After First World War was placed under control of British Shipping Controller, and then charted by the Ellerman Lines. Fate: Sold to British shipbreakers in November 1921. Sister ships: Graf Waldersee, Patricia and Pennsylvania. Note: All had very large cargo capacity, besides being able to transport large numbers of immigrants.

Passenger Lists

Menus

Brochures

Sailing Schedules

Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Plymouth, Southampton, and Cherbourg, from 7 October 1900 to 19 January 1901. Ships Included the Auguste Victoria, Belgravia, Bulgaria, Cap Frio, Columbia, Deutschland, Fürst Bismarck, Graf Waldersee, Kaiser Friedrich, Patricia, Pennsylvania, and Pretoria. SS Patricia Passenger List, 7 October 1900. GGA Image ID # 1ed8c97071

Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-Dover-Boulogne-Cherbourg-New York, from 29 July 1905 to 2 December 1905. Ships Included the Amerika, Blücher, Deutschland, Fürst Bismarck, Graf Waldersee, Hamburg, Moltke, Patricia, Pennsylvania, and Pretoria. SS Graf Waldersee Passenger List, 29 July 1905. GGA Image ID # 1f06676725

Twin-Screw Express and Passenger Steamship Services, and Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-Southampton-Boulogne sur Mer-Cherbourg-Plymouth-New York, from 23 August 1906 to 27 October 1906. Ships Included the Amerika, Batavia, Blücher, Deutschland, Graf Waldersee, Hamburg, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Oceana, Patricia, Pennsylvania, and Pretoria. SS Moltke Passenger List, 21 August 1906. GGA Image ID # 1e43a0cfd7

Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Southampton, and Cherbourg, from 4 October 1912 to 20 February 1913 and Hamburg-Philadelphia from 7 October 1912 to 17 December 1912. Ships Included the Amerika, Cincinnati, Corcovado, Graf Waldersee, Hamburg, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Patricia, Pennsylvania, President Grant, President Lincoln, Pretoria, Prinz Adalbert, Prinz Oskar, and Victoria Luise. Assignment of Ship's Captains Included with Hamburg-New York Ships. SS Patricia Passenger List, 28 September 1912. GGA Image ID # 1ed91a7f1a

Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-Bologne-Southampton-Cherbourg-New York, from 25 October 1913 to 19 February 1914. Ships Included the Amerika, Graf Waldersee, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, Moltke, Patricia, Pennsylvania, President Grant, President Lincoln, and Pretoria. SS Pretoria Passenger List, 25 October 1913. GGA Image ID # 1ee4c20743

Photographs

SS Pennsylvania, SS Patricia, SS Graf Waldersee and SS Pretoria at Sea. Across the Atlantic, 1905 HAPAG Brochure. GGA Image ID # 1bbd85fbb6

Entrance Hall on the SS Pennsylvania, SS Patricia, SS Graf Waldersee and SS Pretoria. Across the Atlantic, 1905 HAPAG Brochure. GGA Image ID # 1bbda1103f

Main Saloon on the SS Pennsylvania, SS Patricia, SS Graf Waldersee and SS Pretoria. Across the Atlantic, 1905 HAPAG Brochure. GGA Image ID # 1bbda27c0e

Promenade Deck on the SS Pennsylvania, SS Patricia, SS Graf Waldersee and SS Pretoria. Across the Atlantic, 1905 HAPAG Brochure. GGA Image ID # 1bbdf79745

Smoking Room on the SS Pennsylvania, SS Patricia, SS Graf Waldersee and SS Pretoria. Across the Atlantic, 1905 HAPAG Brochure. GGA Image ID # 1bbe16dc5e

Social Hall on the SS Pennsylvania, SS Patricia, SS Graf Waldersee and SS Pretoria. Across the Atlantic, 1905 HAPAG Brochure. GGA Image ID # 1bbe17433f

Programs

Concert Program of the Band of the Mail Steamer "Pretoria" May 26, 1905, Performed During Dinner. GGA Image ID # 1a27787dee

Advertisements

Information Sheet on the SS Imperator of the Hamburg-American Line, 1913. SS Pretoria Passenger List, 25 October 1913. GGA Image ID # 17839858f7

Advertisement for the Zepplin Airships Passenger Trips, 1913. SS Pretoria Passenger List, 25 October 1913. GGA Image ID # 17843616b0

Postcards

First Class Dining Saloon On Board the Twin-Screw Mail Steamer Pretoria of the Hamburg-American Line, 1897. GGA Image ID # 204dd07ea7

Excerpts from Information for Passengers

Information for Passengers - 28 July 1901

MEALS. Breakfast is served at 8:00 am, Lunch at 12:30 pm, Dinner at 6:30 and tea at 9:00 pm A Bell will be run 15 minutes before each meal, and a second signal will be given at the beginning of the meal.

Promenade Deck. Steamer Chairs belonging to the Ocean Comfort Company can be rented for use on the voyage, at a charge of one dollar, upon application to the Deck Steward.

Stewards. The stewards have strict instructions to attend to the wants of passengers in a prompt and courteous manner. Passengers are requested to bring any inattention to the notice of the Chief Steward, and if the complaint made is not promptly investigated, to report it to the captain.

Baggage. As only small pieces of baggage can he taken into the cabins all large pieces will be stored in the hold. In good weather access may be had to the hold and passengers desirous of getting at their large baggage should apply to their Room steward.

Hot or Cold Baths. A number of comfortable bathrooms are provided aboard. The Bathroom Steward or Stewardess will attend to the bath upon the passenger's request. No charge is made for baths. The water used is sea-water.

Smoking Saloon. Smoking is allowed only on deck and in the Smoking Room; It is positively prohibited in the cabins and below deck.

Lights in the Smooking Room are extinguished at midnight.

Valuables. The Company is not responsible for theft if valuables are kept in the staterooms, a safe is provided in the office of the Purser, to whom money, jewelry, etc-, may be handed for safe-keeping, but without guaranty of the Company.

Surgeon and Apothecary. An experienced Physician is attached to every steamer For medical attendance in cases of sickness contracted on board no charge is made; medicines also are provided free of charge.

The Barber is entitled to charge for his services according to the tariff fixed by the Company.

Library. The books in the library, which may be obtained upon application to the Library Steward, are at the disposal of passengers, free of charge. A catalogue of the German, English and French books In the ship's library can be had from the Library Steward.

Writing Paper, Envelopes and Telegraph Forms will be supplied by the Saloon Steward.

Foreign Money. The Purser is prepared to exchange foreign money.

Source: SS Pretoria Passenger List - 28 July 1901

Information for Passengers - 22 August 1903

Meals.

First Cabin.

• Breakfast is served at 8:00 am
• lunch at 12:30 pm
• dinner at 6:30 p. m

Second Cabin.

• Breakfast at 8:00 am
• dinner at noon
• supper at 6:00 pm

A menu is printed for each meal. Seats at table are allotted by the Chief Steward. A bugle call will be sounded 15 minutes before each meal. and a second signal at the beginning of the meal.

Promenade deck. Steamer Chairs belonging to the Ocean Comfort Company can be rented for use on the voyage, at a charge of one dollar, upon application to the Deck Steward.

Stewards. The Stewards have strict instructions to attend to the wants of Passengers in a prompt and courteous manner. Passengers are requested to bring any inattention to the notice of the Chief Steward, and If the complaint' made is not promptly investigated, to report it to the Captain.

Baggage. As only small pieces of baggage can be taken into the cabins all large pieces will be stored in the hold. In good weather access may be had to the hold and Passengers desirous of getting at their large baggage should apply to their Room Steward.

Hot or Cold Baths. A number of comfortable bathrooms are provided aboard. The Bathroom Steward or Stewardess will attend to the bath upon the passenger's request. No charge is made for baths. The water used is sea-water.

Smoking Saloon. Smoking is allowed only on deck and in the Smoking Room; it is positively prohibited in the cabins and below deck. Lights in the Smoking Room are extinguished at midnight.

Valuables. The Company is not responsible for theft if valuables are kept in the staterooms. A safe is provided in the office of the Purser, to whom money, jewelry, etc., may be handed for safe-keeping, but without guaranty of the Company.

Surgeon and Apothecary. An experienced Physician is attached to every steamer. For medical attendance in cases of sickness no charge is made; medicines also are provided free of charge.

The Barber is entitled to charge for his services according to the tariff fixed by the Company.

Library. The books in the library, which may be obtained upon application to the Library Steward, are at the disposal of Passengers, free of charge. A catalogue of the German, English and French books in the ship's library can be had from the Library Steward.

Writing Paper, Envelopes and Telegraph Forms will be supplied by the Saloon Steward.

Foreign Money. The Purser is prepared to exchange foreign money

Souvenir Postal Cards will be fufurnished Passengers free of charge by the Purser or Chief Steward.

Source: SS Pretoria Passenger List - 22 August 1903

Information for Passengers - 25 October 1913

Public Telephones

with booths and an operator will be found on the Hamburg America Line Pier, foot of Ist street, Hoboken, N. J.

Letters and Telegrams.

Passengers who are expecting letters or telegrams are kindly requested to inquire for them at the Office of the Purser on board the steamer. Parcels arriving for passengers are delivered either by the Baggage-master or the Sea Post Office.

Letters which have not been called for before the steamer is berthed at Hoboken, are held by an official appointed for the purpose in the Company’s landing-stage at Hoboken and passengers are requested to inquire for them. The desk of this official will be recognized from a large placard bearing the inscription “Mail and Telegrams for Passengers’’.

Before leaving the steamer, passengers are recommended to inquire for mail at the Purser’s Office and to leave their address there, so that any letters arriving later may be forwarded. Passengers can have letters and telegrams forwarded to the care of any of the agents of the Hamburg-Amerika Linie.

The Company gladly undertakes the transmission or delivery of telegrams, letters, &c. intended for passengers; but owing to the immense number of such despatches forwarded to its care, must decline all responsibility, should such be inadvertently delayed or lost.

Letters that passengers wish to despatch from on board the steamer should be posted as early as possible before arrival of the steamer in the port in question, and the full name and address of the sender should be marked on the envelope.

Meals. Breakfast is served at 8:00 am, lunch at 1 21/2:00 pm, dinner at 6*/2:00 pm

A menu is printed for each meal. Seats at table are allotted by the Chief Steward. A bugle call will be sounded 15 minuts before each meal, and a second signal at the beginning of the meal.

Steamer Chairs. Upon application to the Company’s office or to the Deck Steward, steamer-chairs belonging to the Seereise-Comfort-Gesellschaft can be rented for use on the voyage, at a charge of Marks 4.20 a piece.

Rugs. Also rugs, be'onging to the Seereise-Comfort-Gesellschaft, can be rented for use on the voyage at the same charge of Marks 4.20 a piece.

Music. The ship’s band performs on the promenade deck during the forenoon from 1 0 to 11 o’clock, in the evening from 9 to 1 0 o’clock in the dining saloons.

Baggage. As only small pieces of baggage can be taken into the cabins, all large pieces will be stored in the hold. Access to the hold may be had upon application to the Room Steward.

Hot or cold Baths. A number of comfortable bathrooms are provided aboard. The Bathroom Steward or Stewardess will attend to the bath upon the passenger’s request. No charge is made for baths. The water used is sea-water.

Smoking is allowed only on deck and in the Smoking Room; it is positively prohibited in the cabins and below deck.

The Bar closes at midnight.

Lights are extinguished in the Saloons at 11:00 pm and in the Smoking Room at midnight.

Surgeon and Apothecary. An experienced physician is attached to every steamer. For medical attendance in cases of sickness contracted on board no charge is made; medicines also are provided free of charge. But the ship’s physician is allowed to ask the usual fees from travelers who submit themselves to treatment for maladies not contracted during the voyage.

The Barber is entitled to charge for his services according to the tariff fixed by the Company.

Library. The books in the library, which may be obtained upon application to the Library Steward, are at the disposal of passengers, free of charge. A catalogue of the English, French and German books in the ship’s library can be had from the Library Steward.

Letters, Telegrams and Correspondence. Only the purser is authorized to receive letters and telegrams for delivery in the next port of call. Several telegraph- codes will be found in his office. Wireless messages are to be given in at the special wireless telegraph office on board ship. Letters and postcards must be deposited in the letterbox. The closing of mails for the various ports of call will be duly announced. The Universal Postal Union Regulations apply to the mail postet on board:

20 Pf German stamp for letters on steamers sailing from and to America 10 pf German stamp for postal cards

Postal stamps are obtainable either from the purser or from the stewards in the smoking room and in the saloon.

Writing Paper, Envelopes and Telegraph Forms will be supplied by the Saloon Steward.

Valuables or Money. The Company is not responsible for theft il valuables or money are kept in the staterooms. The same should be placed in charge of the Purser for deposit in his safe, and a receipt will be given on the Company’s form. As no charge is made for carriage, the Company can accept no responsibility for loss or damage, however arising, but passengers can protect themselves by insurance.

Foreign Money. The Purser is prepared to exchange foreign money.

Amusements. A number of pastime games, such as shuffleboard, quoits, chess, dominoes, etc. are provided for on board.

Attendance. The Stewards have strict instructions to attend to the wants of passengers in a prompt and courteous manner. Passengers are requested to bring any inattention to the notice of the Chief Steward, and if the complaint made is not promptly investigated, to report it to the Captain.

Source: SS Pretoria Passenger List - 25 October 1913

Other Ephemera

Porter Service, Hamburg-American Line, 1913. SS Pretoria Passenger List, 25 October 1913. GGA Image ID # 1ee4b6dfdc

Books Referencing the SS Pretoria