TSS Rijndam Archival Collection

Was the Ship Name Rijndam or Ryndam?

USS Rijndam (ID–2505) was the Holland America Line (HAL) ocean liner Rijndam, also spelled Ryndam, launched in Ireland in 1901 and scrapped in the Netherlands in 1929. The US requisitioned her as the United States Navy troopship USS Rijndam from 1918 until 1919. She was the first of four Holland America Line ships to be called Ryndam.

Throughout her existence, the Names Rijndam and Ryndam were used interchangeably. Officially, the vessel was named Rijndam. However, the marketing department felt that the name would be too challenging for non-Dutch speakers to pronounce.

Consequently, Holland-America often used the phonetic English name of Ryndam. Postcards and cabin Key Chain Emblems apparently used either name. In 2023, The GG Archives decided that the first ship (Rijndam 1901) should be placed in the Rijndam folder with a notation in the Ryndam folder of where the Ship materials can be located. Subsequent Ships of this name will all be located under the name Ryndam.

SS Rijndam of the Holland-America Line. Photograph of a photo of a painting signed "Fred Pansing." © 1900 Detroit Publishing Co. # 043129. Library of Congress # 2016817460. GGA Image ID # 15c5bf8b90

Content Links

• Rijndam (aka Ryndam) (1901) Holland-America Line (Dutch)
• Passenger Lists
• Menus
• Immigrant Documents
• Sailing Schedules
• Passage Rates
• Advertisements
• Back Cover Images
• Photographs
• Excerpts from Information for Passengers
• Fleet List
• Books Referencing the TSS Rijndam

Rijndam (aka Ryndam) (1901) Holland-America Line (Dutch)

Built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd., Belfast, Ireland. Tonnage: 12,529. Dimensions: Length: 560' x 62' Feet. (570' o.l.) Depth of Hull: 43.6 Feet. Propulsion: Twin-screw, 15 knots. Two triple expansion engines. Masts and Funnels: Two masts and one funnel. Engine output: 7,500 Bhp. Bunker Capacity: 1,780 tons of coal at 149 tons per day. Launched: May 1901. Maiden Voyage: Rotterdam-New York, October 10, 1901. Passengers and Crew: 280 First, 200 Second, 1,800 Third Class, and 266 Crew Members. WW1 Service: Converted to a troopship and renamed the USS Rijndam in March 1918. Fate: Sold to Dutch shipbreakers in December 1928, arriving in Hendrik Ido Ambacht, Netherlands in April 1929. Demolition being done by N.V. Frans Rijsdijk's Industriele Ondernemingen. Sister Ships: Noordam and Potsdam. Note: On September 18, 1926 the ship began a seven month world cruise as a floating university in charter for the University of New York, carrying 506 students.

Passenger Lists

Brochures

Menus

1922-10-11 SS Ryndam Dinner Menu

Ornate Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Wednesday, 11 October 1922 on board the SS Ryndam of the Holland-America Line featured Salmon slices à la butler Apples Natural, Beef tongue braised à la Choisy, and Suchard Cake for dessert. The Menu, written in French, has been translated to English. A Music Program was included with this Menu.

Immigrant Documents

Immigrant Inspection Card for Third Class Passengers on board the TSS Rijndam of the Holland America Line, 26 September 1923. GGA Image ID # 1dbcd8c36f

Immigrant ID Tag Worn on the Outer Garment by Barbara Vitkiene, an Immigrant on the TSS Rijndam of the Holland America Line, Manifest Sheet No. 5, List No. 6, 26 September 1923. GGA Image ID # 1dbce2992b

1923-09-26 Lithuanian Immigrant Document Collection - 1923

A Superb collection of Immigration Documents

From 1892 to 1954 Millions of immigrants were processed through Ellis Island. This is a collection of documents that pertain to a 65 year-old Lithuanian immigrant, Barbara Vitkiene, who arrived at Ellis Island in 1923 including the Immigrant Inspection Card, Immigrant ID Tag and passenger manifest extracts and images.

Sailing Schedules

Proposed Sailings, Rotterdam-Boulogne sur Mer-New York, from 24 June to 31 October 1908. Ships Included the Potsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Rotterdam, and Ryndam. SS Nieuw Amsterdam Passenger List, 20 June 1908. GGA Image ID # 1df62b6b83

Proposed Sailings, Rotterdam-Boulogne sur Mer-New York, from 17 September 1910 to 13 December 1910. Ships Included the Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Potsdam, Rotterdam, and Ryndam. SS Nieuw Amsterdam Passenger List, 17 September 1910. GGA Image ID # 1e017fa796

Proposed Sailings, New York-Boulogne sur Mer-Rotterdam and New York-Plymouth-Boulogne sur Mer-Rotterdam, from 15 June 1912 to 31 August 1912. Ships Included the Pottsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Rotterdam and Ryndam. GGA Image ID # 1df6a5a929

Proposed Sailings, Rotterdam-Boulogne sur Mer-New York, from 5 April 1913 to 30 August 1913. Ships Included the Pottsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Rotterdam, and Ryndam. SS Rotterdam Passenger List, 5 April 1913. GGA Image ID # 1df6d63353

Proposed Sailings, New York-Plymouth-Boulogne sur Mer-Rotterdam, from 25 May 1921 to 31 December 1921. Ships Included the Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Rotterdam, and Ryndam. SS Nieuw Amsterdam Passenger List, 4 June 1921. GGA Image ID # 1e02304fe7

Sailing Schedule, Rotterdam-New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Plymouth, from 4 January 1923 to 5 January 1924. Ships Include the Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Ryndam (Rijndam), Rotterdam, Veendam, and Volemdam. Holland-America Line Sailing Schedules Brochure, January 1923. GGA Image ID # 209dcef4fc

Proposed Sailings, Rotterdam-Boulogne sur Mer-Southampton-New York, from 23 May 1923 to 10 November 1923. Ships Included the Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Veendam, and Volendam. SS Veendam Passenger List, 23 May 1923. GGA Image ID # 1dfbc3b61b

Proposed Sailings, Rotterdam-Boulogne sur Mer-Southampton-Halifax-New York, from 2 September 1925 to 12 December 1925. Ships Included the Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Veendam, and Volendam. SS Rotterdam Passenger List, 2 September 1925. GGA Image ID # 1df8c99c78

Proposed Sailings, Rotterdam-Boulogne sur Mer-Southampton-Halifax-New York, from 20 July 1926 to 20 November 1926. Ships Included the Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Veendam, and Volendam. SS Rotterdam Passenger List, 20 July 1926. GGA Image ID # 1df8db920e

Proposed Sailings, Rotterdam-Boulogne sur Mer-Southampton-Halifax-New York, from 7 August 1928 to 8 December 1928. Ships Included the Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Veendam, and Volendam. SS Veendam Passenger List, 7 August 1928. GGA Image ID # 1dfbcebe20

SS Ryndam Season 1905 First Cabin Passage Rates, To and From New York, Rotterdam, and Boulogne-sur-Mer. Summer Season, Early and Late Summer Season, and Winter Season. Rates Effective 25 March 1905. GGA Image ID # 1f92b22e51. Click to View Larger Image.

Holland-America Line Schedule of Second Class Fares issued 1 May 1922 for the Rotterdam, Volendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Ryndam. GGA Image ID # 1f75db8ff3. Click to View Larger Image.

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 1 $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

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

Back Cover Images

Back Cover, Holland-America Line SS Ryndam First and Second Cabin Passenger List - 28 June 1904. GGA Image ID # 1fb0b08aef

Photographs

Back Cover of a 12 September 1908 Cabin Class Passenger List for the SS Ryndam of the Holland-America Line. GGA Image ID # 15c7b5eeb4

Back Cover of a Cabin Passenger List for the SS Ryndam of the Holland-America Line, Departing 17 December 1910 from Rotterdam to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer. GGA Image ID # 17cc1ecedb

TSS Ryndam (Rijndam) (1901) of the Holland-America Line. GGA Image ID # 1dbcd471e8

Ship's Officers posed on board the USS Rijndam, 1919. Photographed by Taylors Studio, Norfolk, Virginia. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2007. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph, Catalog # NH 105158. GGA Image ID # 1fc3e3e460

Excerpts from Information for Passengers

Information for Passengers - 17 December 1910

Berths and Staterooms should be reserved as soon as possible in order to secure the most favorable location, especially during the summer season; when all available rooms are usually engaged considerable time (sometimes months) Previous to departure of the steamship. When applying for accommodations, either by mail or telegraph, the name of the steamship, date of departure, number and sex of Passengers, and desired class of accommodations, should be stated.

Berths are not considered engaged unless secured by paying a deposit of $ 25.00 per berth for the first cabin and $ 10.00 per berth for the second cabin accommodations. The balance of the passage money must be paid not later than two.weeks before sailing; if this has not been paid on or before that time, the Company reserves the right to resell the allotted accommodations. Deposit moneys are refunded only if notice. of cancellation is given not later than two weeks before sailing.

Passengers who do not sail on the steamship for which they have engaged accommodations or purchased a ticket, will forfeit fifty percent of the passage money, unless notice is given not later than two weeks previous to sailing.

Return and Prepaid Tickets entitle holders to passage only during the season and for the accommodations for which they have been issued. If used at any other season or for other accommodations than the face value indicates, holders will he required to make additional payment, or will be refunded any eventual difference in accordance .with rates and rules in effect.

Return or Prepaid Tickets are good for one year from date of issue and are not transferable. Upon application to one of the Company's Passenger Offices, they may be extended by paying the difference between the rate in effect at the date of issue and time of sailing, in accordance with the conditions on the passage contract.

Return Accommodations may be secured through the Company's Passenger Offices or Agents. They should be engaged when securing berths for the outward trip, or as soon thereafter as possible. If a passenger is prevented from sailing on a steamship for which return accommodations have been secured, a transfer to an earlier or later steamship can be made by applying to any of the Company's Offices or Agencies, provided application for the transfer be made not later than two weeks previous to the departure of the steamship on which- berths had originally been reserved.

Interchangeable Tickets. - The holder of a return ticket first or second class has the option of returning by one of the following lines: American Line, Atlantic Transport Line, Austro-Americana, Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, Cunard Line, Dominion Line, Hamburg America Line, Leyland Line, Norddeutscher Lloyd, Red Star Line and White Star Line, subject to the rules and regulations of the line by which the ticket is used. Return tickets of any of the above lines will in the same way be honored by the Holland-America Line.

If Unused Return Tickets are offered for cancellation, the amount paid for the round trip, less full outgoing fare and agent's commission, will be refunded against delivery of the return certificate to one of the Company's General Passenger Offices after authorisation has been received from the Company's General Passenger Office at Rotterdam.

All pieces of baggage destined for staterooms must be marked "wanted", those for the baggage hold "not wanted," and must bear passenger's name, destination, number of berth and name of steamship; tags may be had at all Company's offices and agencies or, on board, from the Baggagemaster, Eastbound Passengers from the interior should have their baggage checked to the Holland-America Line dock, Hoboken, N. J., by the baggage express agent on the train, previous to arrival in New York, Jersey City, etc.

Custom House Examination. - The baggage of Passengers leaving the steamship at Boulogne-sur-Mer, will be examined by the French Custom House officers at the Gaze Maritime at said- port, or on arrival at Paris. The 'examination by the Holland Custom House officials will take place either on board, two or three hours previous to arrival at Rotterdam, or at the Hook of Holland, at the new pier of the Holland. America Line, built at the "Hook" in 1903, and which pier may be used as a landing place for Passengers and their baggage whenever tide or other circumstances may prevent the steamship from proceeding at once to Rotterdam.

Bicycles, provided properly crated, will be taken as baggage at owner's risk, at a fixed rate.

Steamer Chairs, of improved construction, may be rented at the different offices of the Company, on the dock and on board the steamer for one trip, at a fixed rate.

This Company will not be responsible for money, jewelry or other valuables of Passengers.

Passengers are warned not to keep such articles in their staterooms. Keys to the staterooms may be obtained from the chief steward upon application.

Each steamship is supplied with a safe in which all articles of value may be deposited. Both SS "Rotterdam" and "Nieuw Amsterdam" are provided with a safe deposit which is at the disposal of Passengers.

Inflammable or explosive articles are not allowed on board.

Arms must be surrendered to the purser during the voyage.

Seats at Table. - Seats at table are allotted after sailing.

Mail will be accepted by the Purser after leaving New York and forwarded by pilot from Sandy Hook, without responsibility for proper mailing, however, on the part of the Company. Letters or postcards to be posted at Boulogne-sur-Mer should be put into the mailbag which will be hung in due time in a convenient place. Passengers are requested to put their letters etc. into the mailbag themselves.

Stamps, stationery, postal cards, cable and telegraph blanks can be obtained from the saloon steward.

Letters and Telegrams. - The Company is willing to accept letters or telegrams for Passengers to be delivered on board on arrival or departure, without assuming, however, any responsibility for their proper delivery. The name of the passenger should be distinctly written, also the name of the steamship on which Passengers travel. Undelivered letters are returned to the Post Office.

Money. - Money of the United States or of European countries is accepted on board the steamships of the Holland America Line in payment of all bills, at fixed rates of Exchange. Foreign moneys are bought and sold at current rates at the Company's Offices in Europe.

The attention of the managers has been called to the fact that certain persons, believed to be professional gamblers, are in the habit of traveling to and fro in atlantic steamships.

In bringing this to the knowledge of travelers, the managers, while not wishing in the slightest degree to interfere with the freedom of action of patrons of the Holland-America Line, desire to invite their assistance in discouraging games of chance, as being likely to afford these individuals special opportunities for taking unfair advantage of others.

In the event of any disagreement with the Purser relative to tickets required, privileges allowed, etc. Passengers should pay the "Purser's claim", take his receipt and refer the case for adjustment to the Company's Office at Rotterdam or New-York, where an eventual overcharge will be promptly refunded. The Purser has no discretionary Dower in such matters, but is governed by rules which he is not authorized to change.

Source: SS Ryndam Passenger List - 17 December 1910

Information for Passengers - 13 May 1911

Through Checking of Baggage for Paris. — Baggage of cabin Passengers from New York to Paris via Boulogne-sur-Mer, can be checked through at our docks in Hoboken before embarkation, or on board the steamer.

Steamer Trunks should not be higher than 13 inches, and of the usual width and length, so that they can be placed under the berth or sofa in the stateroom.

Larger Pieces of Baggage are not permitted in the staterooms, but are stowed away in the baggage hold.

Orders for Delivery of baggage free of charge at the railway depots in Rotterdam and Boulogne-sur-Mer are taken by the Baggagemaster on board the ship.

Dogs. — Passengers are reminded that, under the laws of the United Kingdom, the importation of dogs into Great Britain is prohibited unless a permit has been first obtained from the Board of Agriculture.

All steamships are of enormous tonnage, and splendidly equipped for the safety and comfort of Passengers. They are all provided with the latest improvements, have bilge keels, superb decks, halls, saloons and large staterooms, and are fitted with the Marconi system for wireless telegraphy and the Submarine Signal Receiving Apparatus.

They carry the U.S. and Royal Netherlands Mails and maintain a regular weekly service between New York and Rotterdam, stopping both ways at Boulogne-sur-Mer for the landing and embarkation of Passengers. Moreover SS "Rotterdam" and "Nieuw Amsterdam" will, on the eastbound voyage, call at Plymouth for the landing of Passengers to Great Britain.

Source: SS Ryndam Passenger List - 13 May 1911

Information for Passengers - 31 October 1914

Public Telephones, with booths and an operator, are located on the Holland-America Line Pier, foot of Fifth St, Hoboken, N. J.

Radio Letters.

For the convenience of Passengers on transatlantic steamships, the Marconi Company has inaugurated a Radio-Letter Service.

Radio-Letters are messages that may be sent from one ship to another going in opposite direction, for reforwarding by registered mail from a port of call or the port of destination.

These messages are given only one wireless transmission between two ships; they will not be retransmitted to another ship or a coast station.

Source: SS Ryndam Passenger List - 31 October 1914

Fleet List

Fleet of the Holland-America Line - 1915

The Fleet of Holland-Americ Line. SS Nieuw Amsterdam Passenger List, 29 May 1915. GGA Image ID # 1e01b0f9c9

• Twin Screw Steamship "Rotterdam"
• Twin screw Steamship "Nieuw Amsterdam"
• Twin screw Steamship "Noordam"
• Twin screw Steamship "Ryndam"
• Twin screw Steamship "Potsdam"
• Triple screw Steamship "Statendam"

They range from 12,351 to 24,170 tons gross register, whereas Triple screw Steamship "STATENDAM" of 32,500 tons is building.

All steamships are of enormous tonnage and splendidly equipped for the safety and comfort of Passengers. They are all provided with the latest improvements, have bilge keels, superb decks, halls, saloons, and large staterooms, and are fitted with the Marconi system of wireless telegraphy and the Submarine Signal Receiving Apparatus. They carry the U.S. and Royal Netherlands Mails and maintain a regular weekly service between New York and Rotterdam, stopping both ways at Boulogne-sur-Mer for the landing and embarkation of Passengers. Moreover, S.S. "ROTTERDAM" and "NIEUW AMSTERDAM" will, on the eastbound voyage, the ship calls at Plymouth for the landing of Passengers to Great Britain.

For complete information, sailings, and rates, please apply to the Passenger Offices of the Holland-America Line or its local Agents.

Books Referencing the TSS Rijndam