A Norwegian Immigrant's Voyage to America - England to America
Immigrants Passage to America via the Cunard Line
The Cunard Line was one of the first British transatlantic companies who started to operate in Norway. By 1870 they had established their network of agents all over Norway. Their general agent was situated in Christiania, and for many years that was F. Blickfeldt. In towns like Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim there would be head agents, and under them a number of sub agents operated in the surrounding districts.
The Cunard Line never had direct sailing between Norway and North American harbors. Their transatlantic ships departed from Liverpool and their main destinations was Boston and New York. Norwegians who bought their tickets to travel on the Cunard Line steamers had to travel to via Liverpool.
The most common way to go was by Wilson Line from the Norwegian port to Hull in England. From Hull they would travel by train to Liverpool. In Liverpool they would some times have to stay for a couple of days. There were several hotels and boarding houses that was operated by the different transatlantic companies in Liverpool.
The Cunard Hotel in Liverpool (photo circa 1906), where immigrants were processed by the Cunard Line after arriving by train from Hull, England. From the photograph collection of the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives.
A very considerable development occurred in 1911, when the magnificent Steamers "FRANCONIA" and " LACONIA," of 18,200 tons, with a length of 625 feet and a breadth of 72 feet, were added to the service, and the year 1914 heralds further the prosperity, both of the port and the Cunard Line, by the transfer of the "CARONIA" and "CARMANIA" to the Boston Service. These are vessels of 20,000 tons, with a length of 676 feet, breadth of 72 feet 6 inches, and a speed of 18 knots. Their dimensions make a very interesting comparison with those of the old "BRITANNIA" referred to previously, indicating more eloquently than any mere words the progressiveness of this great shipping organization.
The Boston Service of the Cunard Line is now maintained by the "CARONIA," "CARMANIA," " FRANCONIA," and "LACONIA," making weekly sailings during the summer season. They comprise a group of comparatively new steamers which enjoy a worldwide reputation for their remarkable steadiness, absolute comfort, and luxurious accommodations.
The Public Rooms, which include the Dining Saloon, The Lounge, Drawing Room, Writing Room and Library, and Smoking Room, are beautifully designed, luxuriously furnished, well lighted and ventilated, and are altogether excellently appointed, combining elegance with comfort. The Verandah Cafe and the Gymnasium are very popular resorts. The cuisine and service are unsurpassed, and the a la Carte Dining Service is a feature much appreciated, enabling one to dine to order at any hour. During luncheon and dinner a string orchestra of trained musicians renders selections at the pleasure of the passengers.
For exercise in the open air, the decks are particularly spacious with extensive promenades, and ample space is provided for deck chairs and games. The sleeping apartments have been a matter of special consideration, and have been designed to ensure the maximum of comfort and restfulness. The staterooms are centrally located, spacious, and well ventilated, the decorations tasteful, quiet, and pleasing to the eye. They offer a wide choice to suit all tastes, including many sumptuously-appointed " Cabines de Luxe," and rooms with private baths. Single-berth rooms are a special feature. Luxurious baths and toilet apartments are provided, with careful regard for convenience of arrangement.
Excerpt from the brochure: Historic Boston, The Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd., Chicago. © 1914 The Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd, The University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. From the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives Maritime Library.
Inspection Card, Immigrants and Steerage Passengers.
Card for Ludvig Gjønvik, Group "X", Contract Ticket No. 9221, Approved by the Immigration Consulate, Liverpool.
Sanitary Inspection 10 June 1913
for Ludvig Gjønvik
Section A, Room 57 aboard the R.M.S. Laconia
Inspection Card (Immigrants and Steerage Passengers)
- Port of Departure: Liverpool
- Date of Departure: June 10th, 1913
- Name of Ship: R.M.S. Laconia
- Name of Immigrant: Ludvick Gjønvik [sic]
- Last Residence: Drontheim
- Contract Ticket Number: 9227?
- Inspected and Passed at ???den Consulate, Liverpool Sanitary Inspection 10 June 1913
- No. on ship's list or manifest: 8
- Stamped: M and X
Reverse Side (Shown above right)
Section A, Room 57
Keep this Card to avoid detention at Quarantine and on Railroads in the United States. (repeated in 7 languages)
Vaccinated indicated by Stamp
From the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives' Maritime Collection
The Journey from Liverpool to Boston via the R.M.S. Laconia (1912)
Cunard Steamship R.M.S. Laconia (1912) Photo courtesy of the Frank Braynard, New York, USA
R.M.S. Laconia (1912) Facts on File
- Name: Laconia
- Class: Lloyds 100 A1
- Certificates: B of J Passenger Lloyds Classification No. 877 Berth 1
- Owners: Cunard Steam Ship Company, Ltd. Liverpool
- Trade: Atlantic Passenger Steamer, Intermediate Class
- Keel Laid: 25 July 1910
- Framed: 1 February 1911
- Plated: 1 June 1911
- Launched: 27 July 1911
- Trial Trip: 8 December 1911
Dimensions
- Length Overall: 621'3"
- Length P. P.: 600'0"
- Breadth Mld. 71'0"
- Breadth Ext. 71' 3.5"
Complement
Crew
- Captain (1)
- Officers (6)
- Engineers and Staff (17)
- Physician and Staff (7)
- Petty Officers (20)
- Purser Staff (252)
- Seaman (32)
- Firemen, Trimmers and Others (80)
- Total Crew (415)
Passengers
- First Class (184)
- Second Class (482)
- Third Class
- Cabin (1186)
- Portable Cabins (758) [Steerage]
- Total Third Class (1944)
- Total Passengers (2610)
Lifeboats: 16 Capacity: 972 Persons
Captain W. R. D. Irvine, R. D.; R. N. R. Commanding officer of the S. S. Laconia on this voyage of 10th through 19th June 1913. (Shown above right)
Tyne & Wear Construction Summary, from the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives' Maritime Collection.
Third Class / Steerage Accommodations - RMS Laconia (1912)
In the construction of the Franconia and Laconia the comfort of the Third Class passenger has not by any means been overlooked; in fact, special attention has been paid to this department of the ships. The Third Class accommodation no longer consists of what might be called large dormitories.
Photo 34: Four-Berth Room in Third Class / Steerage
Passengers are now allotted enclosed cabins with berths of modern type for two or four persons, while there are also a number of six-berthed rooms for the use of families. These cabins are all lighted by electricity, and the light can be switched on or off as required by the occupants. In addition to a washstand the rooms are also provided with a mirror, towels, and a plentiful supply of other toilet requisites.
Photo 30: Dining Room, Third Class / Steerage
The principal of the public rooms is the Dining Saloon, which is fitted with revolving chairs and situated amidships on " F deck. This is an exceedingly spacious and well-lighted apartment, and extends the whole width of the ship.
There are also two smaller Dining Rooms on each ship adjoining the main Saloon. These rooms are conveniently situated near the Third Class kitchen, which is unusually large, and is probably the largest afloat for Third Class passengers.
On " D " Deck is the Social Hall, which is one of the new features introduced on the Franconia. It is a bright and cheerful room.
Photo 31: Ladies' Room, Third Class / Steerage
The other public rooms on the steamers are the Smoking Room and Ladies' Room. Both these are situated on "E" Deck, and are comfortably furnished and well-lighted by several port holes.
Left: Where the Tea and Coffee is Prepared; Right: A Corner of the Kitchen
Not the least of the Franconia and Laconia's attractions for Third Class passengers are the spacious Promenade Decks ; indeed, the space allotted for passengers in this class is particularly liberal. There is an Open Promenade on "C" Deck and a large Covered Promenade situated on " D Deck Both Promenades are within easy access of the other portions of the Third Class accommodation.
Manifest of Alien Passengers
List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival T843-196 Page 184 and 185
Transcription of Alien Manifest
S. S. Laconia 19.Jun.1913
List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival T843-196 Pages 184 - 185,
Line 8 for Ludvig Gjønvik
No. Column Heading Response
- Line Number 8
- Name in Full (Family Name, Given Name) Gjønvik, Ludvik
- Age (Yrs, Mos) 21
- Sex Male
- Married or Single Single
- Calling or Occupation Lab[orer]
- a Able to Read Yes
b Able to Write Yes - Nationality (Country of which citizen or subject) Norwegian
- Race or People Scandinavian
- Last Permanent Residence (Country, City or Town) Norway, Trondhjem
- The name and complete address of nearest relative or friend In country where alien came. Sister, Marie Gjønvik, Kirkegaten 5[8 or b], Trondhjem
- Final Destination (State, City or Town) Ill, Rock Island
- No. on Line 8
- Whether having a ticket to reach final destination Yes
- By whom was passage paid? Myself
- Whether in Possession of $50 and if less, how much? $35
- Whether over before in the United States No
- Whether going to join a relative or friend, and if so, what relative or friend, and his name and complete address. Cousin Ole Randall, 512 4th?? Rock Island, Ill
- No
- Whether a Polygamist No
- Whether an Anarchist No
- No
- Condition of Health, Mental and Physical Good
- Deformed or Crippled No
- Height (Feet, Inches) 5' 6"
- Complexion Fair?
- Color of Hair, Eyes Dark, Unreadable
- Marks of Identification None
- Place of Birth (Country, City or Town) Norway, Trondhjem
List of 3rd Class Passengers, Age, Group, No, Destination from Gillespri to Greenborg. Ludvig Gjønvik appeared on Line 20, Gjønvik, Ludvig, Age 21, Group X, No. 8, Destination: Rock Island.
From the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives' Maritime Collection
