Friesland | Norway Heritage

Ship Data

Type	Built	Burden	Dimensions	Line / Owner
S.S.	1889 at Glasgow by J. & G. Thomson & Co.	7,116 gross	437ft x 51.2ft	Red Star Line

The S.S. Friesland, of the Red Star Line - Photographer: unknown.
Support the Norway Heritage Project: Purchase a copy

The Red Star Line steamship Friesland - at New York harbor 1895
Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

The Friesland was built on the Clyde, in the yard of J. & G. Thomson, who also built the City of Paris and the City of New York. The Friesland was built as a four mast vessel. The first three masts were square rigged, while the fourth, or jigger mast, was a fore-and-after. The Friesland was considered to be one of the safest vessels afloat at the time of her launching. Along the upper decks a number of large lifeboats hang in patent davits, from which they could be lowered at a moment's notice. She had a double bottom throughout and was capable of carrying water ballast to the amount of 1,000 tons. This enabled her at any time to render her draught at both ends equal. She was constructed of mild steel and her watertight bulkheads were of the best material available at the time of building. Her engines were of the triple expansion type and she was supplied with all of the latest improvements in steam appliances. She was lighted throughout by electricity. Her cabin could accommodate 200 persons. The staterooms contained every facility for comfort, and the saloon was a magnificent apartment, it resembled a large hall, and it was covered by a steel deckhouse. Windows in the sides gave the passengers a good view of the deck. The second cabin of the Friesland was a handsome apartment and was also covered by a steel deckhouse. In the between decks there were comfortable quarters for 800 immigrants. The steerage rooms were well lighted and well ventilated.

Picture of the S/S Friesland

S/S Friesland, Red Star and American Line steamship

S/S Friesland in American Line service
Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Friesland, American Line steamship
Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Chronological History

Year	Event
1889	Aug. 15, launched for Red Star Line
1889	Dec. 12, maiden voyage Antwerp - New York
1890	Antwerp → New York Jan. 25
1890	Antwerp → New York Mar. 11
1890	Antwerp → New York Mar. 17. Also reported arrive 1890-03-11.
1890	Antwerp → New York May 21
1890	Antwerp → New York June 24
1890	Antwerp → New York July 29
1890	Antwerp → New York Sept. 2
1890	Antwerp → New York Oct. 8
1890	Antwerp → New York Nov. 15
1891	Antwerp → New York Feb. 7
1891	Antwerp → New York Mar. 11
1891	Antwerp → New York Apr. 14
1891	Antwerp → New York June 23
1891	Antwerp → New York July 28
1891	Antwerp → New York Sept. 1
1891	Antwerp → New York Oct. 6
1891	Antwerp → New York Dec. 17
1892	Antwerp → New York Jan. 19
1892	Antwerp → New York Mar. 7
1892	Antwerp → New York Apr. 12
1892	Antwerp → New York July 25
1892	Antwerp → New York Aug. 29
1892	Antwerp → New York Oct. 4
1903	March 25, first voyage Liverpool - Philadelphia as charter for American Line
1911	Renamed La Plata for Italian owners
1912	Scrapped