S.S. Saxonia, Cunard Line

Saxonia (1), Cunard Line steamship Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

The Saxonia (1) was built by John Brown & Co at Glasgow for the Cunard Line in 1899. Her details were the same as her sister, the Ivernia which was built by C. S. Swan Hunter the same year. When launched the Saxonia (1) was the largest Cunarder ever built; her measurements were: 14,281 gross ton, length 580 feet x beam 64.2feet x depth 29.6 feet (length 176,77meters x beam 19,77meters). Both the Saxonia and Ivernia were constructed as a combination of passengers and cargo steamers. The Saxonia was originally built to accommodate 160 1st class passengers, 200 2nd class passenger and as many as 1,600 3rd class (steerage) passengers, a total of 1,960 passengers. However, she is known to have once sailed with as many as 2,260 passengers from Liverpool in 1901. As can be seen from the images the Saxonia had a single funnel with the remarkable height of 106 feet, which was the tallest funnel ever fitted to a steamer. She had four masts with strong booms to help loading the ship’s cargo. She was equipped with eight-cylindered quadruple-expansion engines (1,700 NHP), and twin screws which gave the ship a service speed of about 15 knots.

Saxonia, Cunard Line steamship Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Cunard Line steamship Saxonia Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Steerage passengers on the foredeck of the Saxonia. Snapshot taken by a passenger on a voyage from Boston to Liverpool in June 1905 Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Another snapshot showing steerage passengers on the foredeck of the Saxonia (1) on a voyage from Boston to Liverpool in June 1905 Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Saxonia (1) - promenade deck Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Saxonia (1), promenade deck Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Saxonia (1) - Capt. J. C. Barr on the boat deck Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Saxonia (1), passengers on the boat deck

Steerage ladies room, from an old booklet

Steerage dining room, from an old booklet

Promenade deck for steerage (3rd class) passengers on the Cunard Line steamships Saxonia and Ivernia

Smoking saloon for steerage (3rd class) passengers on the Cunard Line steamships Saxonia and Ivernia

2nd class 4 berth stateroom

3rd class (steerage) 4 berth stateroom Saxonia (1) and Ivernia

3rd class (steerage) 2 berth steerage stateroom Saxonia (1) and Ivernia

Promenade deck for 3rd calss passenger on the Saxonia (1) and Ivernia Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Cunard Line sister ships Ivernia and Saxonia, both steamships built 1899 Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Saxonia at the landing stage, Liverpool Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Saxonia at the landing stage from the Mersey, Liverpool Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy

Cunard Line steamship Saxonia (1) as troopship H.M.T. Saxonia. In this picture she is seen departing New York with American troops for WW1 in Europe. During WW1 the Saxonia carried a total of 12,319 members of U.S. and Canadian forces overseas

3rd class (steerage) plans of the Cunard Line sisters Ivernia built 1899 at Wallsend-on-Tyne, England by C. S. Swan & Hunter and Saxonia built 1899 at Glasgow by John Brown & Co. Ltd. The plan includes the layout of 3rd class cabins for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 passengers with dining areas, 3rd class open promenade deck, smoke room and ladies room, 3rd class covered promenade with baths and lavatories. The text is partly in English and partly in Swedish. The plan was printed in an old promotional booklet handed out by an agent in Sweden to potential emigrants Support Norway Heritage: Purchase a copy