S.S. Frederik VIII, Scandinavian America Line

Ship Data

Type Built Burden Dimensions Line / Owner
S.S. 1913 at Stettin by AG Vulcan 11,850 gross 523.5ft x 62.3ft Scandinavian America Line
The Frederik VIII was built by Vulcan Stettiner Maschinenbau A.G., Stettin (no. 332) in 1913 for the (DFDS) Scandinavian American Line. At the delivery she was the largest Scandinavian ship. Her tonnage was 11,850 tons gross, 7,630 dead weight. She had a length of 159.55m x beam 18,99m (523.5ft x 62.3ft). She had 2 decks and awning deck, two funnels, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 17 knots. There was accommodation for 121 first class, 259 second class and 881 third class passengers. She had a crew of 245.
S/S Frederik VIII
S/S Frederik VIII
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S/S Frederik VIII
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S/S Frederik VIII
Signed by capt.
F. Mechlenburg
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S/S Frederik VIII
Frederik VIII
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Frederik VIII, Scandinavian America Line steamship departing Copenhagen
Frederik VIII, Scandinavian America Line steamship departing Copenhagen
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Frederik VIII - Scandinavian America Line steamship
Frederik VIII - Scandinavian America Line steamship
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Scandinavian America Line steamship Frederik VIII
Scandinavian America Line steamship Frederik VIII - departing Copenhagen
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Chronological History

Year Event
1913 May 27, launched
1914 Feb. 5, left Copenhagen on her maiden voyage to Christiania (Oslo), Christiansand and New York, had to call at Ponta Delgada on the Azores for bunkering, due to an unstipulated large coal consumption on Feb. 17
1914 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1915 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1916 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1917 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1917 March 12, arrived to Copenhagen from New York carrying the German ambassador to the USA, was laid
1918 Nov. 23, chartered to the British Govt., made five trips Wermünde/Lübeck/Stettin-Hull with about 7500 British prisoners of war
1919 March 18, returned to service, from this date she only called at Christiansand on the return trip from New York to Christiania
1919 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1919 Oct. 31, arrived at Philadelphia instead of New York, and left Philadelphia on Nov. 8, for Christiansand
1920 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1920 August, fitted with Anschütz gyro-compass, automatic pilot and course recorder, as the first commercial ship to have such navigation aids. The automatic pilot was connected to the steering wheel by means of a bicycle chain
1921 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1922 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1923 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1924 Departed Kristiania. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1924 From 1924 occasionally, and from 1928 until 1932 she regularly called at Halifax
1924 July - Aug, sailed 2 voyages to Copenhagen - London in connection with the British Commonwealth Exibition at Wembley, anchored in the Thames.
1924 Aug. 23, collided with the S/S Royal Fusilier of Leith in the Thames
1924 Oct. 15, departed Copenhagen for Mediterranean cruise, Lissabon - Barcelona - Monaco - Genoa - Naples - Palermo - Algiers - Gibraltar - Copenhagen, among the passengers was the Danish Crown prince Frederik
1925 Departed Oslo. Arrived New York. — See in Routes & Departures
1925 November, accommodation altered to cabin and 3rd class only
1929 October, refitted to cabin, tourist and 3rd class
1930 Nov. 21, hull damaged by a underwater rock while leaving Copenhagen, after discovering leaks the ship returned to Copenhagen on Nov. 22, passengers and cargo transferred to the Hellig Olav
1935 Nov. 22, started her last voyage from Copenhagen for Oslo, Christiansand, New York (dep Dec. 7), Christiansand, Oslo and Copenhagen.
1936 Nov 11, sold to The Hughes Bolckow Shipbreaking Co. for scrapping at Blyth

Routes & Departures

Year Route To Departures
1914 Kristiania - New York ▶ 8
1915 Kristiania - New York ▶ 8
1916 Kristiania - New York ▶ 7
1917 Kristiania - New York 1
Date From To Note Connections
1917-01-19
1919 Kristiania - New York ▶ 6
1920 Kristiania - New York ▶ 5
1921 Kristiania - New York ▶ 8
1922 Kristiania - New York ▶ 6
1923 Kristiania - New York ▶ 8
1924 Kristiania - New York ▶ 7
1925 Oslo - New York ▶ 8

Pictures

Frederik VIII

Frederik VIII

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Frederik VIII – image 2

Frederik VIII – image 2

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Frederik VIII – image 3

Frederik VIII – image 3

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Frederik VIII engine room

Frederik VIII engine room

FREDERIK VIII – image 4

FREDERIK VIII – image 4

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Frederik VIII – image 5

Frederik VIII – image 5

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Frederik VIII – image 6

Frederik VIII – image 6

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Frederik VIII - departing Copenhagen

Frederik VIII - departing Copenhagen

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Frederik VIII - departing Copenhagen – image 2

Frederik VIII - departing Copenhagen – image 2

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