Bergensfiord (Norwegian-American Line)

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Bergensfiord (Norwegian-American Line)

Post by shipstamps » Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:34 am


This stamp shows the former Bergensfiord of the Norwegian-American Line, at the North Cape of Norway on one of her prewar tourist cruises. Built by Cammell Laird and Company, at Birkenhead, in 1913, along with the Kristianiafiord, she began the line's service between Oslo and New York. The Bergensfiord was a particular worry to our blockading squadrons in the First World War. Repeatedly she tried to slip through the blockading ships North of Scotland, carrying German subjects and contraband, and on one occasion had to be chased for 130 miles before she surrendered. She was faster than any of our armed merchant cruisers and special patrol lines had to be improvised to catch her. In March 1940, she was held up for some days in New York because her master refused to carry United States Mail, saying that he feared his ship would be in danger of attack from German U-boats. He was eventually given clearance papers after consultation between the U.S. State Department and U.S. Post Office officials. The ship did not carry the mail. Sold in 1946, she became the Argentina, under the Panamanian flag, her new owners intending her for a service between Italy, Portugal and South America. In February of that year she was the first special ship to be chartered for the purpose of taking "G. I. brides" and their babies to America from Europe. Since 1946 the Argentina, has been managed by Cosulich Brothers, Genoa, for joint Swedish and Italian owners. On February 9, this year it was announced in the Press that she had been sold to an Israeli firm who were to rename the ship Jerusalem.
SG223.

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