Famous Ship Sailed Under Flags Of Two Nations

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31339, 8 April 1967, Page 5

Famous Ship Sailed Under Flags Of Two Nations

(Specially written for "The Frees" by KENNETH ANTHONY?

November, 1925, she attracted much attention as the first large passenger ship on the transatlantic run to be fitted with diesel engines. The engines stayed in the ship to the end—< remarkable tribute to the builders. Her neutral ownership during the war produced some unusual jobs for the Gripsholm. Both sides found it convenient to use the ship for exchanging diplomatic staffs, and later for the exchange of civilian internees and prisoners-of-war. In 1949-50, the Gripsholm underwent an extensive refit Her two rather thin funnels, seen on the Swedish stamp, were replaced by two larger

ones more in keeping with modern design. Her bows were altered and the passenger accommodation improved. This work was carried out Fin

a German shipyard. And only a few years later, when her Swedish owners had acquired new tonnage, she was transferred to the German flag in 1954. She was renamed Berlin shortly afterwards.

So this pioneer motorship can be found twice in the album—on stamps of different countries, under different names and with different appearance. It seems a suitable distinction for a ship with a secured place in marl-