MBT Passenger ship MS "Kungsholm" (1954) - SEAC - Construction drawing Scale 1:500 (10.10.029)

The MS Kungsholm (1953) was an iconic passenger and cruise ship of the Swedish American Line (SAL). Built in 1953 by the Dutch shipyard De Schelde in Vlissingen, the ship was designed for both transatlantic crossings and luxury cruises.

Technical Specifications

Type: Passenger/cruise ship

Tonnage: 21,164 GRT

Dimensions: Length: 182.89 m; Beam: 23.50 m; Draught: 13.85 m

Speed: 21 knots (approx. 39 km/h)

Passenger capacity: 802 (176 first class, 626 tourist class)

Crew: 418

Propulsion: 2 × 8-cylinder Burmeister & Wain diesel engines, total 13,503 kW

Number of decks: 9 (6 of which are accessible to passengers)

Service history

1953–1965: In service with the Swedish American Line. The ship began its maiden voyage on 24 November 1953 from Gothenburg to New York. In January 1955, the Kungsholm undertook the first world cruise in the history of SAL. In 1961, the ship was dry-docked and fitted with stabilisers.

1965–1981: Sold to Norddeutscher Lloyd, later known as Hapag-Lloyd, and renamed Europa. The ship was used for transatlantic crossings and cruises.

1981–1984: Acquired by Costa Cruises and renamed Columbus C. The ship was used for cruises in the Mediterranean.

29 July 1984: The ship ran aground on a breakwater in the port of Cádiz, Spain, and partially sank. It was salvaged later that year and scrapped in Barcelona in 1985.

Design and Appearance

The Kungsholm had a classic design with a low superstructure and two funnels, the forward one of which was a dummy. In the original colours of the Swedish American Line, the ship had a white hull and superstructure, with yellow funnels and the blue three-crown SAL logo. Following its acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd, the hull was painted black with buff-coloured funnels and cranes. With Costa Cruises, the ship was given a white hull with orange and blue decorative bands and yellow funnels with a blue top.

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