With the establishment of the Norwegian America Line, several large American ships were put into operation. Purpose-built passenger ships became important for ensuring the travelers' safety and comfort on board—something that had not always been a given.
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A ship ready for departure, July 1st 1939. Photo: Narve Skarpmoen/National Library of Norway
The Norwegian America Line was established in 1910 became an institution in Norwegian transatlantic shipping. Until then, mainly British and Danish shipping companies had dominated the passenger traffic between Norway and the US. The dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905 and the following nation-building strengthened the desire for a Norwegian-owned America Line.
The first ships used by Norwegian emigrants had been ordinary cargo vessels, designed for transporting goods. The ships lacked facilities for the often weeks-long journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Emigrants were considered part of the cargo and had to adapt accordingly, sleeping in dormitories with simple straw-filled bunks, blankets, and animal skins. Food was prepared in primitive ways, and the very poor hygienic conditions led to a high incidence of disease.
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The America Line's luggage is being handled. Photo: A. B. Wilse/National Library of Norway. - 2/3
M/S Oslofjord ready for departure, July 1st 1939. Photo: Anders Beer Wilse/National Library of Norway. - 3/3
The dining room on board Oslofjord, 1938. Photo: Anders Beer Wilse/Norsk Folkemuseum. Image from digitaltmuseum.org
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Menu from Stavangerfjord, 1955. Bergen Maritime Museum's archive.
With the emergence of shipping companies specializing in passenger transport came ships that could offer travelers entirely different amenities — depending on what one could afford. The Norwegian America Line's first ship, Kristianiafjord, was put into service in 1913. Later, Bergensfjord and Stavangerfjord were added to the route. M/S Oslofjord was the fourth in the series and the company’s first motor ship. It made its maiden voyage in June 1938. M/S Oslofjord had room for 152 passengers in cabin class, 307 in tourist class, and 401 in third class. Onboard, all passengers had their own cabins, and meals could be enjoyed in dining rooms. The contrast to the conditions on the sailing ship Restauration, which carried the first Norwegian emigrants just over 100 years earlier, was striking.
From the 1960s onward, airplanes took over much of the transatlantic transportation. The Norwegian America Line then increasingly specialized in cruise travel. As the great wave of emigration had subsided, one could say that "journeys to America" now took on a different meaning. This is also reflected in the company's marketing.
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Advertisement from the Norwegian America Line. Bergen Maritime Museum's archive. - 2/2
The lounge on tourist class, Oslofjord II built 1949. Bergen Maritime Museum's archive.
