Christian Konrad and Carl August Svendsen immigrated to America on this ship, the S/S Hellig Olav. They registered with the Copenhagen police on April 6th, 1903 and arrived in New York twelve days later on the 18th. When they arrived they each had about $25 in cash with them. August (who was 17 at the time) was going to join his cousin, Hulda Petersen, in Racine, Wisconsin. Christian Konrad (aged 22) was headed to Chicago to stay with his uncle, Christian Jensen.

    The "Hellig Olav" was built by A.Stephen & Sons in Glasgow for the Scandinavian American Line. Tonnage was 10,091 tons gross, 6,506 under deck and 6,065 net. Dimensions: 500.8 feet long, 58.3 foot beam (152,63m x beam 17,77m) and holds 29.2 feet deep. Poop 44 feet long and bridge 176 feet long. The forecastle was 59 feet long. She was bult in steel, had one funnel, two masts (Schooner), 2 decks and awning deck. She was fitted with electric light and refrigerating machinery. Water ballast, twin screws and a service speed of 15 knots. Propulsion: triple expansion engine with 6 cylinders of 30, 50 & 80 inches diameter each pair; stroke 54 inches; 940 nominal horsepower. The engine was built by the same company as the hull. There was accommodation for 130-1st, 140-2nd and 1,400-3rd class passengers.

    Launched on 16th December 1902, she commenced her maiden voyage on 25th March 1903 when she left Copenhagen for Christiania (Oslo), Christiansand, and New York. Captain was J.P. Holst, appointed to the shipping line in 1901 and to the ship in 1903. In January 1922 she was refitted to carry cabin class and 3rd class passengers only, and in June 1927 refitted to carry cabin, tourist and 3rd class. She sailed from Copenhagen on 6th September 1931 on her last voyage to Oslo, New York (dep 23rd Sept), Christiansand, Oslo and Copenhagen and in 1934 was scrapped at Blyth.

In May, 1914, Peder Johannes Svendsen boarded this ship, the S/S United States, with a ticket paid for by his brother, August. It took him twelve days to cross the Atlantic to New York on his way to Genoa Junction, Wisconsin. He was 22 and a farm laborer ready for a new life and new opportunities with $40 in his pocket.

    The "United States" was built by A.Stephen & Sons, Glasgow in 1903 for the Scandinavia-American Line of Denmark. Tonnage was 10,101 tons gross, 6,506 under deck and 6,035 net. Dimensions: 500.8 feet long, 58.3 foot beam and holds 29.4 feet deep, poop 44 feet long, bridge 176 feet long and forecastle 59 feet long. She had one funnel, two masts (Schooner), twin screw and a speed of 15 knots. 2 decks & awning deck, fitted with electric light and refrigerating machinery. Water ballast. Propulsion: triple expansion engine with 6 cylinders of 30, 50 & 80 inches diameter each pair; stroke 54 inches; 941 nominal horsepower. The engine was built by the same company as the hull. There was accommodation for 130-1st, 140-2nd and 1,400-3rd class passengers.

    Launched on 30/3/1903, she sailed from Copenhagen on her maiden voyage to Christiana (Oslo), Christiansand and New York on 3/6/1903. Master was Captain I. Wulff, appointed to the shipping line in 1901 and to the ship in 1903. In October 1922, her accommodation was altered to carry cabin and 3rd class only, and in February 1928 to cabin, tourist and 3rd class. She commenced her last voyage on 25/10/1934 when she left Copenhagen for Oslo, Christiansand, New York (dep 10/11/1934), Christiansand, Oslo and Copenhagen. On 2/9/1935 she was damaged by fire at Copenhagen and was scrapped the same year at Leghorn.