Swedish American Line: The Golden Age of Transatlantic Travel & Scandinavian Immigration (1915–1953)

AKA: Svenska Amerika Linien

Passenger, freight and mail service direct between New York and Gothenburg, Sweden. Gothenburg is conveniently situated and offers a direct route, with daily connections to all points in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Russia, the Baltic states, Germany, etc.

Discover the history of the Swedish American Line, a key player in transatlantic passenger and cargo transport. Explore ship histories, passenger lists, and travel ephemera—an essential resource for genealogists, historians, and maritime enthusiasts.

Quick Links to Topics Covered

• 1. Archival Collections by Ship
• 2. Swedish American Line - 1927 (History)
• 3. Other Ephemera (Not Digitized)
• 4. Bibliography
• 5. Recap and Summary of the Swedish American Line Archival Collection

2. Swedish American Line - 1927

A Story of Progress and Success Unparalleled in the Maritime History of Sweden

Only eleven years have elapsed since the Swedish-American Line was established. In this brief time, it has developed from a modest beginning into one of Scandinavia's largest and most successful maritime enterprises. It holds the promise of a further steady expansion for many years.

Until 1915, the commerce between America and Sweden was forced to find its outlet via various devious channels due to the need for more direct steamship communication. With the establishment of the direct Swedish-American Line in that year, a new era in transportation between these two countries was inaugurated.

The advantage and value of fast and direct communication, eliminating time-wasting and costly changes and transshipments, were quickly seen and appreciated on both sides of the Atlantic. The result was soon evidenced by the growing popularity of the Swedish American Line and its ships' rapid increase in passenger and freight carryings.

The line, with a fully paid capital stock of 24,000 (XX) kronor and a substantial surplus, is firmly and loyally supported by over 14,000 stockholders in this country and Sweden.

The Swedish American Line operates the following passenger and cargo ships on the New York-direct-Gothenburg route.

MS Gripsholm

The motor liner Gripsholm completed her maiden voyage from Gothenburg to New York in December 1925. She is 575 feet long, 74 feet wide, 18,000 register tons, and 23,600 tons displacement; she is propelled by double-acting four-cycle Diesel motors and has an average speed of nearly 17 knots, which renders her capable of negotiating the distance between New York and Gothenburg—3,600 miles—in about eight days.

There are accommodations for 170 first-class, 428 second-cabin, and 1,006 third-class passengers. The Gripsholm, the first motor-driven transatlantic passenger ship, and Scandinavia's largest, most modern, and most luxurious liner, is the last word in marine architecture regarding power and passenger accommodations and has become a great favorite with the traveling public.

The successful performance of the Gripsholm and her almost instant favor with the public have emphasized the need for another first-class passenger liner of this type. To meet the requirements of the constantly growing tourist traffic between this country and Sweden, the Swedish American Line has ordered an additional passenger motorship similar to the Gripsholm.

SS Drottningholm

S. S. Drottningholm, length 540 feet, width 60 feet, 11,254 register tons and 19,200 tons displacement, an oil burner equipped with de Laval's Swedish turbine engines, carries passengers in cabin and third class with accommodations for 1,400.

SS Stockholm

S. S. Stockholm, length 565 feet, width 62 feet, 12,967 register tons and 22,070 tons displacement, is an oil burner and accommodates 1,250 passengers in cabin and third class.

SS Kungsholm (Building)

Still, it is somewhat larger, embodying such improvements as the experience with Gripsholm has suggested. The new motorship, which is to be named the Kungsholm, will be 608 feet long. 78 feet wide. 20,000 register tons and 25,000 tons displacement; she will be equipped with double-acting Diesel engines of the same type as those of the Gripsholm.

Generating 24.0(H) horsepower, it will have accommodations for 240 first-class, 400-second cabins and 930 third-class passengers. The Kungsholm is scheduled to enter the service late in 1928.

MS Korsholm

To complete the fast freight service between America and Scandinavian and Finnish ports, especially on the east coast of Sweden and Finland, the Swedish American Line has a fast motorship, Korsholm, in service. It is 5,000 tons d. w. and operates with the Swedish-America-Mexico Line and the Transatlantic Steamship Co., maintaining regular sailings between Scandinavia and Finland and ports on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, ensuring efficient delivery of your goods.

Offices of the Swedish-American Line

The Swedish American Line's head offices are located in Gothenburg. Axel Carlander is president and managing director; Vidar R. Olburs is vice managing director and in charge of the freight department; Axel H. Lagergren is director of passenger traffic; and Filip Lindahl is operating director and head of the technical, marine, and purchasing departments.

The general offices for the United States and Canada are situated at 21 State Street, New York, with G. Hilmer Lundbeck as American representative and managing director; branch offices and general agencies are maintained at Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland (Ore.), Montreal, Winnipeg, and Halifax. Canada.

3. Other Ephemera (Not Digitized)

• 1931 Brochure: Sweden: Compliments Swedish American Line - The Motor Ships Kungsholm and Gripsholm. 16 Pages Souvenir booklet on Sweden, packed with photographs of Sweden. Photograph of SS Kungsholm on the Cover.
• 1952 M.S. Kungsholm Deck Plan White De Luxe Motorliner includes Promenade plus Decks A through E.
• Undated Blue with Gold Embossed lettering Ticket Holder, Swenska Amerika Linien Göteborg direkt New York och Canada

4. Bibliography

"Swedish American Line," in Twentieth Anniversary Year Book of The Swedish Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, New York: The Swedish Chamber of Commerce of the USA, 1927, pp. 92-94.

5. Recap and Summary of the Swedish American Line Archival Collection

The Swedish American Line (Svenska Amerika Linien) played a crucial role in transatlantic passenger and freight transport between New York and Gothenburg, Sweden, starting in 1915. This archival collection highlights the history, fleet, passenger experience, and expansion of this influential maritime company.

The Swedish American Line was instrumental in connecting Scandinavia to North America, serving immigrants, business travelers, and tourists. With state-of-the-art passenger ships such as the MS Gripsholm, SS Drottningholm, and MS Kungsholm, the company provided a luxurious yet practical ocean travel experience.

This collection is an invaluable resource for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, offering passenger lists, ship histories, travel documents, and maritime engineering details that illuminate the golden age of transatlantic travel.

 

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Most Interesting Highlights & Key Content

1. Swedish American Line’s Growth: A Success Story (1927)

The Swedish American Line was established in 1915, filling a gap in direct steamship routes between Sweden and the U.S.

Before 1915, travelers had to use indirect and costly routes, making the direct Gothenburg-New York service a major milestone.

By 1927, the line was one of Scandinavia’s largest and most successful maritime enterprises, rapidly increasing its fleet, stockholders, and passenger volume.

The growing popularity of Swedish-American travel was evident in the line’s fleet expansion, which added larger and more advanced ships.

This section is particularly useful for economic historians and maritime scholars studying early 20th-century transatlantic commerce.

 

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2. Ship Histories: Evolution of Swedish American Line’s Fleet

The collection provides detailed technical and historical insights into the company’s most famous ships:

MS Gripsholm (1925):

• First motor-driven transatlantic passenger liner (propelled by diesel motors).
• Accommodated 1,604 passengers across first, second, and third class.
• Luxury and speed combined, completing the New York-Gothenburg journey in about eight days.

SS Drottningholm:

• Swedish-built turbine-powered liner with space for 1,400 passengers.
• Served as a key immigrant ship for Scandinavians heading to America.

SS Stockholm:

• Slightly larger than Drottningholm, accommodating 1,250 passengers.
• Famous for its third-class accommodations, catering to working-class travelers and immigrants.

MS Kungsholm (1928):

• Designed as a sister ship to the Gripsholm, but larger and more modern.
• Equipped with double-acting diesel engines generating 24,000 horsepower.
• Offered higher-end accommodations, making it a preferred ship for luxury travel.

MS Korsholm:

• Primarily a fast freighter connecting Sweden, Finland, and North America.
• Played an important role in trade between Scandinavia and the U.S.

These details make this collection particularly valuable for naval historians, maritime engineers, and those interested in early passenger ship innovations.

 

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3. Passenger Experience: A Window into Transatlantic Travel

The Swedish American Line offered some of the finest accommodations of the early 20th century, attracting both immigrants and wealthy tourists.

The menus, passenger lists, sailing schedules, and advertisements provide a vivid picture of shipboard life.

Farewell dinner menus (1950) from MS Gripsholm offer insights into the culinary traditions aboard Swedish passenger liners.

The passenger contracts, tickets, and receipts in the MS Gripsholm collection help genealogists track Scandinavian immigrants who traveled to America.

 

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4. Swedish American Line’s Offices & Global Influence

The company headquarters were in Gothenburg, Sweden, but it also had offices in major U.S. and Canadian cities, including: New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Halifax.

The company’s presence in both Sweden and North America highlights its role in strengthening Scandinavian-American relations.

This section is particularly useful for business historians studying Swedish corporate expansion and cultural historians examining Swedish-American migration patterns.

 

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Why This Collection is Valuable

This archival collection serves as a critical resource for multiple audiences:

• Teachers & Students: Offers a case study in Scandinavian immigration, transatlantic commerce, and maritime history—ideal for history and social studies curricula.
• Genealogists: The passenger lists, ticket receipts, and sailing schedules provide primary sources for tracing Swedish and Scandinavian ancestors who traveled to the U.S. and Canada.
• Historians: Provides detailed fleet histories, corporate expansion records, and technological advancements in ocean travel.
• Maritime Enthusiasts: The shipbuilding details, propulsion methods, and luxury accommodations offer a rich perspective on early 20th-century steamships.