Builder: W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England.
Completed: November 1925.
Gross tonnage: 18,600.
Dimensions: 590ft x 74ft. Depth 43ft.
Engines: Two six-cylinder, four-stroke, double-acting Burmeister & Wain diesel.
Screws: Twin.
Watertight bulkheads: Ten.
Decks: Five.
Normal speed : 15.50 knots.
Passenger accommodation: 98 first and 878 tourist class.
Maiden voyage: Bremerhaven–New York on January 8, 1955.
Built for the Swedish-American Line and christ¬ened Gripsholm. Sold to the Bremen-Amerika Line on January 30, 1954 and subsequently passed to the North German Lloyd with the Swedish-American Line still retaining half owner¬ship. North German Lloyd assumed full ownership in January 1955 and renamed her Berlin. Engaged in the Bremerhaven–Southampton–Cherbourg-- Halifax–New York run and cruising. The Berlin was the first transatlantic liner to be driven by diesel engines when constructed as the Gripsholm and the first to inaugurate German passenger service to the United States since 1939. The Berlin received a terrific welcome when she arrived in New York Harbour with a German crew. The celebration was for the fact that she was the first passenger vessel flying the German flag to enter New York for 14 years. She was commanded by Capt. Heinrich Lorenz, who was formerly first officer of the North German Lloyd’s old Bremen. The Berlin was then under charter to the Germans.
The Berlin did not call at Southampton until June 1960 and calls at Halifax westbound only.
Sold to Italian ship-breakers in October 1966.
Note: She made her first voyage on February 1, 1954, but was not completely owned by the North German Lloyd and sailed under the name of Gripsholm.
SG B123