Originally built in 1925 at Armstrong, Whitworth & Co., Newcastle for the Swedish American Line as the 17,716-ton GRIPSHOLM, she could carry 127 passengers in first class, 482 in second, and 948 in third and a crew of 360 at 16 knots. She traded between Gothenburg and New York, and after war service for the International Red Cross, she resumed her normal route, including a rebuilding in 1949, until 1954. She sailed briefly for the Bremen-America Line, a joint ownership between Swedish-American and North German Lloyd, and in 1955 came solely under the NGL banner. By then she carried 98 in first class and 878 in tourist. The 18,600-ton BERLIN of North German Lloyd made her last departure from New York on September 2, 1966 and on November 26, 1966 she arrived at La Spezia, Italy to be broken up.

The Ektachrome slides were taken by Theodore W. Scull

North German Lloyd's Berlin tied up at her West Side berth September 2, 1966.

The Berlin seen from the street September 2, 1966.

The Berlin from the stern at her West Side pier.

The Berlin eases away from her berth.

The Berlin reverses into the North River.

The Berlin's counter stern.

Dockside view of the Berlin's forward superstructure.

Single Moran tug eases the Berlin into the North River on her final departure on September 2, 1966.