
The Thingvalla Line was a popular shipping company that operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was founded in 1869 and was known for its passenger and cargo services between Norway and the United States.
The company's fleet consisted of several ships, including the Thingvalla, which was its namesake vessel. The Thingvalla was a large steamship that was built in 1869 and was one of the company's most iconic ships.
The Thingvalla Line played a significant role in the history of immigration to the United States, with many passengers traveling on its ships to start new lives in America.
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The Thingvalla Line
The Thingvalla Line was a shipping company that operated in the late 19th century. They had a fleet of steamships that traveled between Europe and America.
Some of the notable ships in the Thingvalla Line fleet include the Amerika, Danmark, Geiser, Hekla, Island, Norge, and Thingvalla. These ships were built between 1872 and 1884 and had varying tonnages, ranging from 2,524 to 3,867 tons.
The Thingvalla Line steamship Amerika was built in 1872 at Belfast by Harland & Wolff as the Celtic for the White Star Line. It was later purchased by the Thingvalla Line.
The Thingvalla Line steamship Danmark was built in 1880 and had a capacity of 3,414 tons. It was involved in a collision with the Geiser in 1888.
The Thingvalla Line also operated ships built by other companies, such as the Burmeister & Wain shipyard in Copenhagen, which built the Norge in 1881.
Here is a list of some of the notable ships in the Thingvalla Line fleet, along with their tonnages:
Related Landmarks
If you're visiting Norway and want to explore more of the country's rich maritime history, there are several related landmarks worth checking out.
The Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo is a must-visit for anyone interested in the country's seafaring past. It's a treasure trove of maritime artifacts and exhibits that showcase Norway's impressive maritime heritage.
The museum's collection includes a vast array of ship models, navigational instruments, and other nautical treasures that are sure to fascinate visitors of all ages.
Hekla

The Hekla was actually the Hekla II, since the first ship of that name sank in 1883 after less than a year of service.
Launched from Christiania, Norway on February 29, 1884, the Hekla began its maiden voyage to New York two weeks later from Copenhagen, Denmark, carrying a full load of 990 passengers.
Approximately half of the passengers were Danish, the other half Norwegian, which was typical for most of the Hekla's trips.
The Hekla suffered its share of mechanical problems, but was always repaired in due time.
The Hekla continued to serve the "Thingvalla Line" until its demise in 1898, when it was sold to the "Scandinavian America Line".
The Hekla was scrapped in 1910.
Geisers of Denmark
Geisers of Denmark were a part of the "Thingvalla Line" that operated in the late 19th century.
The "Thingvalla Line" had a fleet of ships, and one of its notable vessels was the Geiser. This ship began its maiden voyage on New Year's Day in 1882 from Copenhagen.
Geiser's capacity was a significant 1000 passengers, with most of them traveling in steerage, or third class. The ship had a relatively good service record for a few years, with few mishaps.
The Geiser's tragic history is a reminder of the risks involved in maritime travel during that era.
Thingvalla Line Ship

The Thingvalla Line was a prominent shipping company that operated in the late 19th century. The company had a fleet of steamships that sailed between Europe and North America.
One of the most notable ships in the Thingvalla Line fleet was the Thingvalla, which made its maiden voyage from Copenhagen to New York in 1879. The ship was originally built for the East Asian trade route and had a long and storied history, including a notable collision with its sister ship Geiser in 1888.
The Thingvalla Line also operated the steamship Hekla, which was built in 1884 at Greenock by Scott & Co. The Hekla was a popular ship among emigrants, and its image was even featured on an old postcard.
Here's a list of some of the other ships in the Thingvalla Line fleet:
- Thingvalla Line steamship built 1872 at Belfast by Harland & Wolff as the Celtic for the White Star Line.
- Thingvalla Line steamship built 1880 at Walker-on-Tyne by C. Mitchell & Co.
- Thingvalla Line steamship built 1881 at Copenhagen by Burmeister & Wain.
- Thingvalla Line steamship built 1882 at Copenhagen by Burmeister & Wain.
- Thingvalla Line steamship built 1884 at Greenock by Scott & Co.
Key Features
The Thingvalla Line Ship was a remarkable vessel with some impressive features.
It had a length of 96 meters, a beam of 12.5 meters, and a gross tonnage of 1,460 tons.

The ship was powered by a single screw propeller and a steam engine, which provided a speed of 14 knots.
It had a capacity for 1,500 passengers and 100 tons of cargo.
The Thingvalla Line Ship was known for its luxurious amenities, including a promenade deck and a dining saloon.
It made regular trips between Norway and the United States, taking around 10 days to complete the journey.
Thingvalla, Flagship
The Thingvalla was a flagship of the Danish "Thingvalla Line". It made its maiden voyage on October 25, 1879, from Copenhagen to New York.
The Thingvalla was a passenger-cargo vessel that initially sailed on the exotic East Asian trade route. It was later purchased by the Danish company and became the flagship of the line.
The Thingvalla served the Danish "Thingvalla Line" from 1879 until 1898. During this time, it had a long and storied career, but also faced a significant setback.
In 1888, the Thingvalla collided with its sister ship Geiser at sea, resulting in the loss of 105 lives from the sunken Geiser. The Thingvalla itself was also damaged in the collision.
The Thingvalla managed to make it back to port for repairs, backing up most of the way, which is a testament to its resilience.
Background and Context

The Thingvalla Line was a popular steamship service that operated from 1869 to 1895. It connected Sweden with Norway and the United States.
The service was founded by the Thingvalla Line Company, a Swedish shipping company that aimed to provide a faster and more comfortable way for passengers to travel between Europe and America.
The Thingvalla Line was known for its luxurious accommodations and amenities, including fine dining and entertainment options.
The steamship service was an important part of the transatlantic travel experience during the late 19th century.
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