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The Norwegian America Line was founded in 1910. The aim of the company was to maintain a mail, cargo and passenger route between Norway and America. The first ship of the line was launched on the 23rd of November 1912 by Cammel, Laird & Co. at Birkenhead, Liverpool. She was steamship of 11,000 gross tons (16,000 Displacement). This first ship was named Kristianiafjord (1) after the fjord now called Oslofjord, where the Norwegian capitol is located. In 1913 the 2nd ship was launched from the same yard, an identical twin and sister-ship for the Kristianiafjord. This ship was named Bergensfjord (1). It became a tradition to name the ships of the line after the many Norwegian fjords.

The 3rd ship was launched from the same shipyard on the 21st of May 1917, she was the 12,500 ton steamer named Stavangerfjord. The company also had 3 freight steamers, they were the S/S Trondhjemsfjord, the S/S Drammensfjord, and the S/S Romsdalsfjord, all of 12,000 tons displacement. These freight steamers are known to occasionally have taken a small number of passengers. The company also had a smaller coastal steamer, the S/S Friefjord.

Only the Kristianiafjord, Bergensfjord and Stavangerfjord were built for taking passengers on a regular route.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICE (1916):
At the time of building, the 3 new passenger steamers of the Norwegian American Line were modern and efficiently equipped for the utmost safety and comfort of the passengers. The ships had bilge keels were fitted to insure steadiness in rough weather. The thermo-tank system of heating and ventilation was installed and electric lights were fitted throughout. The Marconi system of wireless telegraphy was also operated.

The First Class staterooms were with all modern improvements of those times. They were all facing out with a window and situated amidships on the Promenade Deck and had a capacity of accommodating 100 passengers. Two sumptuously furnished Cabins de Luxe en-Suite were situated on the Upper Promenade Deck, each comprising an exceptionally large sitting room, bedroom, private bath and toilet, assuring the maximum of comfort and luxury.

The First Class Dining Saloon was well ventilated and extended the entire width of the vessel. It was furnished with small tables, and all first class passengers could dine at one sitting. The decorations were tastefully carried out in white and gold with panels of Norwegian scenery. On the Promenade Deck there was a handsomely appointed Lounge, a Music Room, as well as Reading- and Writing Rooms. The smoking saloon on the Upper Promenade Deck was finished in Australian oak, and was arranged in cozy alcoves. Adjoining the smoking saloon was the popular Veranda Café.
The spacious Promenade Decks afforded opportunity for passengers to participate in open-air recreation and deck games.

The Second Class state rooms were located on the Shelter Deck amidships, and were well ventilated and neatly furnished. State rooms could be secured for two or four persons.

The Second Class Dining Saloon, on the Shelter Deck aft, was furnished in polished birch and highly decorated. It had a capacity of seating 120 passengers. The second class Music Room and Smoking Saloon were both situated on the Promenade Deck.

Four berth stateroom on the S/S Stavangerfjord
Four berth stateroom on the S/S Stavangerfjord


Third Class accommodations were provided for 860 passengers and the staterooms were arranged for 2, 4 and 6 persons. The berths were of galvanized iron (The Hoskin's System) and were furnished with mattresses, pillows, sheets and blankets. The staterooms were all fitted with wash-basins, mirrors etc. Commodious sitting rooms and smoking saloons were also provided for passengers traveling on the third class. The large airy dining saloons had a capacity of seating 354 passengers. Well-prepared meals were served by the ship's stewards, and every provision was made for the comfort of passengers.(From a 1916 N.A.L. booklet)

Pictures:
One picture can say more then 1000 words. If you want to share your peace with the rest of the community, please upload your contribution to the gallery by using the "upload" button found on the "category" pages. In the NAL section of the Gallery you will find pictures showing ships, exterior or interior, ships landing in New York and ships departing Scandinavian ports. Norwegian America Line Picture Gallery

Fleet list:
 TypeName of ship  SortYear Built   SortConstruction Shipyard   SortTonnage (burthen)   Sort
  S/SLillefjord (1)1896 A. G. Neptun 383 gross 
  M/VLarviksfjord1930 A/B Götaverken 3 159 gross 
  M/VTønsbergfjord1930 A/B Götaverken 3 156 gross 
  M/VFoldenfjord (3)1953 A/B Lindholmens Varv 3 857 gross 
  M/VLyngenfjord (3)1947 A/B Lindholmens Varv 3 800 gross 
  M/VRanenfjord (2)1947 A/B Lindholmens Varv 3 801 gross 
  S/STrondhjemsfjord (3)1947 A/S Fredrikstad Mek. Verksted 3 941 gross 
  S/SFrierfjord (1)1911 Akers Mekaniske Verksted 914 gross 
  barkAudun1887 Alexander Stephen & Sons 2 018 gross 
  S/SLangfjord1921 Ardossan Drydock & Shippbuilding 964 gross 
  M/VNorefjord (2)1953 Bergens Mekaniske Værksted 5 246 gross 
  M/VTyrifjord (2)1953 Bergens Mekaniske Værksted 5 243 gross 
  S/SVistafjord (1)1944 Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. 7 168 gross 
  S/SBergensfjord1913 Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. 10 666 gross 
  S/SStavangerfjord1917 Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. 12 977 gross 
  S/SKristianiafjord (1)1912 Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. 10 669 gross 
  S/STopdalsfjord1921 Canadian Vickers Ltd. 4 271 gross 
  S/SDrammensfjord (2)1920 Canadian Vickers Ltd. 5 339 gross 
  S/SIdefjord (2)1921 Canadian Vickers Ltd. 4 287 gross 
  M/VFoldenfjord (2)1921 Clyde Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. 4 900 gross 
  M/VOslofjord (2)1937 Deutsche Shiff-und Maschinenf. AG 18 673 gross 
  M/VRandsfjord (2)1936 Eriksberg Mekaniska Verkstads A/B 3 999 gross 
  M/VKongsfjord (1)1937 Eriksberg Mekaniska Verkstads A/B 4 000 gross 
  M/VOslofjord (1)1923 Framnæs Mekaniske Værksted 215 gross 
  M/VGuri1923 Framnæs Mekaniske Værksted 219 gross 
  M/VLillefjord (2) ex Idefjord1914 Kaldnes Mekaniske Verksted 147 gross 
  M/VIdefjord (1)1914 Kaldnes Mekaniske Verksted 147 gross 
  M/Vkongsfjord (2)1951 Lithgows Ltd. 5 934 gross 
  M/VOslofjord (3)1949 N.V. Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw M. 16 844 gross 
  S/SKristianiafjord (2)1920 Napier & Miller Ltd. 6 759 gross 
  S/SLyngenfjord (1)1903 Napier & Miller Ltd. 5 097 gross 
  S/STrondhjemsfjord (2)1921 Napier & Miller Ltd. 6 753 gross 
  S/SSkiensfjord (1)1922 Napier & Miller Ltd. 5 922 gross 
  S/STanafjord (2)1921 Napier & Miller Ltd. 5 922 gross 
  M/VLe Norwégien III1953 Norrköping Varv och Verkstad A/B 1 329 gross 
  S/SDrammensfjord (1)1911 Northumberland Shipbuilding Co. 4 338 gross 
  S/STrondhjemsfjord (1)1911 Northumberland Shipbuilding Co. 4 248 gross 
  S/SFørdefjord (1)1916 Nylands Værksted 2 116 gross 
  S/SFørdefjord (2)1923 Odense Staalskibsværft, A.P. Moller 5 242 gross 
  M/VFrierfjord (2)1943 Pennsylvania Shipyards Inc. 5 231 gross 
  S/SRandsfjord (1)1914 R. Thompson & Sons Ltd. 3 222 gross 
  S/STanafjord (1)1900 Raylton Dixon & Co. 4 513 gross 
  S/SRomsdalsfjord1908 Robert Stephenson & Co. Ltd 4 580 gross 
  S/SLe Norwégien II1921 Schiffswerft und Maschinenfabrik AG 1 058 gross 
  S/SVindafjord (1)1943 Southeastern Shipbuilding Corp. 7 263 gross 
  S/SLe Norvégien1916 Stettiner Oderwerke AG 856 gross 
  S/SFoldenfjord (1)1921 Sun Ship Building Co. 7 277 gross 
  S/SRanenfjord (1)1908 Union Irons Works 5 404 gross 
  S/SLyngenfjord (2)1913 Wm. Hamilton & Co. Ltd. 5 627 gross 
  S/SNorefjord (1)1919 Wood Skinner & Co. Ltd. 3 082 gross 
  S/STyrifjord (1)1919 Wood Skinner & Co. Ltd. 3 080 gross 

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Some companies may have had additional ships in their fleets to those mentioned above. They might not have been included if the ships were not engaged in the conveyance of emigrants. Some ships mentioned in the fleet lists may have been chartered from other companies, see the ship's description and history for more details.

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A selection of articles dedicated to help you in your genealogy search for your Norwegian ancestors. Transcripts and pictures of historic documents in connection with the ships and emigration. Also including articles about Pioneers & Norwegian Settlements Around the World
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