Stavangerfjord

The "Stavangerfjord" was a well known vessel belonging to the Norwegian American line. Built be Cammel Laird & Co, Birkenhead in 1917, she was a 12,977 gross ton vessel, length overall 553ft x beam 64.2ft, two funnels, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 16 knots. Accommodation for 88-1st, 318-2nd, and 820-3rd class passengers. Launched on 21/5/1917, she sailed on her maiden voyage from Birkenhead on 29/4/1918 to New York, where she was laid up. On 11/9/1918 she sailed from New York to Christiania [Oslo] and in October made her first run from Christiania to Christiansand, Stavanger, Bergen and New York. In 1924, she was converted to fuel oil and her accommodation altered to carry cabin class and 3rd class passengers. In 1930 she was rebuilt again to carry 147 cabin class, 207 tourist class and 820-3rd class passengers. In 1938 she was modernised and on 9/12/1939 commenced her last voyage from New York to Bergen and Oslo where she was laid up. In 1940 after the German invasion of Norway, she was used as a depot ship and in 1945 was used as a troopship between Norway and New York. In 1946 she was refitted to carry 122-1st, 222-cabin and 335-tourist class and on 31/5/1946 resumed the Oslo - Bergen - New York service. On 9/12/1953 her rudder carried away in mid-Atlantic and she was escorted to Oslo. In 1956, she was refitted and her tonnage increased to 14,015 gross tons and accommodation altered to carry 66-1st, 184-cabin and 402-tourist class passengers. On 18/11/1963 she left Oslo on her last voyage to Copenhagen, Stavanger, New York, Bergen and Oslo. Scrapped in 1964 at Hong Kong. There is a photograph of her in North Atlantic Seaway Vol.4, p. 1436 by N.R.P.Bonsor.

Citation: