S/S Oscar II [old postcard]

The "Oscar II" was built by A.Stephen & Sons, Glasgow in 1901 for the Scandinavian - American Line of Denmark. Tonnage was 9,975 tons gross, 6,518 under deck and 6,093 net. Dimensions: 500.8 feet long, 58.3 foot beam and holds 29.2 feet deep, poop 44 feet long, bridge 176 feet long and forecastle 59 feet long. She was constructed in steel, had one funnel, two masts (Schooner), twin screws and a speed of 15 knots. She had 2 decks and awning deck, was fitted with electric light and refrigerating machinery. Water ballast. Propulsion: triple expansion engine with 6 cylinders of 30, 50 and 80 inches diameter each pair; stroke 54 inches, 940 nominal horsepower. The engine was built by the same company as the hull. There was accommodation for 150-1st, 140-2nd and 900-3rd class passengers.

Launched on 14/11/1901, she sailed from Copenhagen on her maiden voyage to Christiania(Oslo), Christiansand and New York on 12/3/1902. In 1915 she was chartered to Henry Ford for his peace pilgrimage to Europe. In March 1921 her accommodation was altered to cabin class and 3rd class, and in May 1928 altered again to Cabin, tourist and 3rd class. On 17/12/1930 she commenced her last voyage from Copenhagen to Oslo, Christiansand, New York (dep 5/1/1931), Christiansand, Oslo and Copenhagen. She was scrapped at Blyth in 1933.

[North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P.Bonsor, vol.3,p.1240][Lloyd's register of shipping] (Information submitted by Gilbert Provost and Ted Finch)