S.S. Oscar II, Scandinavian America Line

Tonnage: 9,975 gross register tons, 6,518 under deck, and 6,093 net. Dimensions: 500.8 feet in length, a beam of 58.3 feet, and a hold depth of 29.2 feet, with a poop deck of 44 feet, bridge deck of 176 feet, and forecastle of 59 feet. Constructed of steel, she featured a single funnel, two masts (schooner-rigged), twin screws, and a service speed of 15 knots. She was built with two decks and an awning deck, equipped with electric lighting, refrigerating machinery, and water ballast tanks.

Propulsion: Triple-expansion engines with six cylinders (two each of 30, 50, and 80 inches in diameter) with a 54-inch stroke, producing 940 nominal horsepower. The engines were built by the same shipyard as the hull. Passenger accommodation was provided for 150 first-class, 140 second-class, and 900 third-class passengers.

The S/S Oscar II, S/S Hellig Olav, and S/S United States were sister ships, all built at the renowned Alexander Stephen & Sons shipyard on the River Clyde in Scotland. Each vessel featured a double cellular bottom divided into 10 watertight compartments, along with 10 transverse watertight bulkheads extending from the keel to the main deck. They were also fitted with bilge keels to ensure maximum stability at sea.

ACCOMMODATIONS FIRST CLASS

First-cabin accommodations on these steamers were located amidships on the promenade and saloon decks. The staterooms were liberal in size and well-ventilated, featuring washstands, wardrobes, and sofas. Hotchkiss Patent berths were installed throughout, allowing upper berths to be folded out of sight when not in use. The Oscar II also featured two chambres de luxe on the promenade deck, luxuriously appointed with brass beds, silk hangings, and elegant draperies.

The first-cabin dining room was a magnificent room extending the full width of the ship. With walls of polished oak and mahogany, striking furnishings, small group tables, and refined porcelain tableware, it created a dining experience of unusual attractiveness and beauty.

Located well forward on the promenade deck was the Music Saloon, flanked by the Ladies' Saloon on one side and a comfortable Library and Writing Room on the other. Further aft on the same deck was the Smoking Room. Numerous baths, showers, and lavatories were conveniently located across both the promenade and saloon decks, while a barber and hairdressing shop was situated on the saloon deck. The entire upper promenade and the forward portion of the saloon promenade deck were reserved exclusively for First Cabin passengers, with steamer chairs and rugs available from the deck steward.

THE SECOND CABIN ROOMS

The Dining Room, located on the saloon deck, was finished in polished oak and matched the First Cabin Dining Room in both style and appeal. Likewise, the Smoking Room and Ladies' Room were appointed with every comfort, offering passengers many of the same luxuries enjoyed in first cabin. The Second Cabin staterooms, accommodating two, three, or four passengers, were situated on the saloon and upper decks, furnished in the same manner as those in First Cabin. Numerous baths and lavatories were also provided. Second Cabin passengers enjoyed exclusive use of the amidships and aft sections of the saloon promenade deck.

THIRD CLASS
There was no steerage on these ships, as they operated with a third class instead. The third-class staterooms, all of which were spacious and well-ventilated, were comfortably furnished with iron beds, springs, mattresses, sheets, pillows, blankets, washstands, mirrors, towels, soap, and water. Fresh drinking water was supplied, and rooms were kept in order by stewards and stewardesses. They could accommodate two, four, or six passengers, enabling whole families to stay together.

Meals were served by uniformed waiters in clean dining rooms at tables set with crisp linen and porcelain tableware. The food was of good quality, cooked in a palatable Scandinavian style, served plentifully, and accompanied by a wide variety of menus. Ample deck space for open-air promenades and exercise was reserved exclusively for third-class passengers.

A ladies' saloon, comfortable smoking rooms, barber shops, and numerous baths were just a few of the conveniences provided. The services of a physician and nurse, alongside a well-equipped hospital and dispensary, were available at all times. The same standards of courtesy and cleanliness found in first and second class were maintained in third class. Furthermore, women and children traveling alone were placed under the care of a special matron and stewardesses.

We also have several photographs depicting a burial at sea on board the S/S Oscar II in 1911. Regrettably, passengers sometimes passed away during the Atlantic crossing, and burial at sea was common practice. This brought immense grief to relatives who lost loved ones and were left without a grave to visit.

These snapshots were taken by Peder Georg Christian Pedersen in 1911 while serving as an officer on the S/S Oscar II. Pedersen served aboard the Scandinavian America Line steamships from 1902 until 1920, later becoming master of the S/S C. F. Tietgen.

The photographs were provided by Karsten Egeblad, one of Pedersen's descendants. The accompanying captions are in Pedersen's own words.