The Journey

The following excerpt is by Stephen Payne from his book,GRANDE DAME: Holland America Line and the S.S. Rotterdam. He writes:

As soon as the NIEUW AMSTERDAM (1906) entered service another vessel was ordered from Harland's (and Wolff), but this ship was significantly different from those that had gone before.The keel of the new ship was laid down on November 6, 1906, and she was launched on March 2, 1908 as the ROTTERDAM, the fourth to bear the name. The liner sailed on her maiden voyage on June 13, 1908, from ROTTERDAM and arrived in New York nine days later on June 22.

The tonnage of the ROTTERDAM was 24,149 grt, a substantial leap from the NIEUW AMSTERDAM's 17,000 grt. Externally the ship also broke new ground in being fitted with two funnels and two widely spaced masts. A true Edwardian superliner, the ROTTERDAM may not have been a speed queen like the Cunard Line's LUSITANIA or MAURITANIA, but she did offer superlative First and Second Class accommodations which were always well maintained and which earned her the title of "Queen of the Spotless Fleet". 520 First Class passengers and 555 Second Class passengers were accommodated and Steerage was increased to 2,500. A novel feature of the ROTTERDAM was her partially enclosed promenade. The majority of the deck was glazed with large rectangular windows, the first time that this had been done on a ship. Although considered foolhardy by some other owners who thought the ferocious North Atlantic would smash the windows, the enclosed promenades were a great success and the promenade deck of the NIEUW AMSTERDAM was similarly endowed. The majority of liners built since the ROTTERDAM have had enclosed promenades for passenger convenience and weather protection thus benefiting from her innovation. The promenade deck area itself was vast at 12,000 square feet and was much larger than that of any other Atlantic liner in 1908.

Passenger cabin accommodation provided larger than normal cabins and wide corridors connected them to stair wells. Twelve special suites were located on Promenade Deck and of the one hundred First Class cabins fitted with private baths ( an unusually high number for the time), some fifty four of these were single birth cabins. The remainder of the cabins were served in the traditional manner with bath, toilet and washrooms located "down the hall". The accommodation was made even more attractive by the provision of adequate ventilation. In this respect twenty two electric fans extracted foul air and replaced it with fresh. Quadruple expansion engines of 15,000 i.h.p. gave the ship a speed of 17 knots. An account from the period particularly notes the lack of vibration felt throughout the ship, which was unusual for medium/high powered steamers of that time, and she also became renowned for her steadiness at sea.

The following are an assortment of views taken from Line issued postcards dated about 1910 which were sold in the ship's shop.

With excerpts from Peter Kohler's book, THE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, A 120TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN POSTCARDS* and a Holland America Line brochure of about 1910, TWO GIANTS OF THE ATLANTIC.

Built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast. 530 First 555 Second 2,124 Third Class passengers. The Netherland's largest ship from 1908-1938. The First Class accommodation was superb for its day, there being 150 single staterooms and 48 cabins with private bath.

The Promenade Deck. "As a novelty and to contribute to the comfort of passengers, the 'Rotterdam" and the 'Nieuw Amsterdam' have the upper promenade deck partly enclosed on three sides with large windows, which may be opened or closed at will. Everyone who has crossed the ocean has experienced the annoyance caused by the spray blowing over the deck, will appreciate the innovation of being protected by large plate glass windows instead of by the canvas strips which have hitherto been used. It permits passengers to be outdoors in practically all weather conditions, enjoying their deck games or walks or deck chairs and deriving at all times the full benefit of the invigorating fresh air. The ship's band, composed of skilled musicians, performs here at certain fixed hours."

The Vestibule and the Grand Stairway in First Class. Peter Kohler writes; The ROTTERDAM IV was the first truly de luxe H.A.L. liner and famed for her ornate First Class interiors, including this magnificent staircase which introduced the ship to embarking passengers.

"Leading from deck to deck through spacious vestibules are the broad stairways. They are Y-shaped, with a landing half way, so as to be easiest of ascent, and finished in wrought-iron with polished brass balusters. Standing in the lower vestibule and looking up to the dome surmounting the upper stair landing, a unique view may be had of this imposing structure of stairways, comparing as it does with that of a six-story building, and conveying an idea of the tremendous depth and height of the vessel."

The Social Hall or Ball Room. "This room, covering a floor space of 59 by 39 feet, is beautifully finished in dark polished Spanish mahogany. The beam ceiling, in cream and gold, is filled in with rich decorative panels. The side walls are panelled between the triple windows, the panels being inlaid with figured satinwood and blue ash. A clear screen of bevelled glass, cut à la facette, separates the social hall from the vestibule. Upon entering the visitor is at once attracted by a large tile picture on the wall in front, representing a view of old "Rotterdam" after Klinkenburg, placed over a mantel of superb blue turpin marble. A Steinway grand piano occupies the centre of the room. Graceful groupings of settees and chairs, of a design unlike that usually found on steamships, and upholstered in a soft blue, assist in making this a singularly beautiful apartment, the superior of which is as yet not to be found on the Atlantic."

The Library. "A beautiful apartment, 35 by 28 feet, breathing an atmosphere of repose and quietude so characteristic of its requirements. The walls are panelled, finished in Italian walnut, figured in old gold, style Louis XVI, with alternate triple windows of burnt glass, set in lead. The wall on the entrance side is a clear screen of bevelled glass, cut à la facette, surmounted with small windows in carved mahogany frames. The beautiful walnut beam ceiling holds a majestic dome, flanked on all sides by decorative panels. In the forward wall, a massive mantelpiece of deep-green marble, trimmed in gold bronze, and an English fireplace, attract the eye. Over this mantel is seen a picture of Erasmus, while comfortable fauteuils are attractively arranged in front. The opposite wall is taken up by ornamental bookcases holding a choice of literature of various countries. To the right, artistic groupings of divans and easy chairs, upholstered in soft green, making an inviting corner, which will appeal forcibly to all lovers of restful literary enjoyment."

The Palm Court. "This court measures 50 by 42 feet, and is decorated in cream lacquer, period Louis XVI. The walls are adorned with triple windows of decorative stained glass set in gilt bronze, and interspersed with panels representing pictures and scenes of bygone centuries, done in clay, the magnificent and masterful work of the Delft Art Pottery Works. The projecting centre of the forward wall also contains an imposing tile picture. A majestic dome or cupola of stained glass surmounts the centre of the court, which is made especially attractive by a mass of flowers trailing from a pedestal; palms, ferns, flowers and jardinières abound, grouped in tasteful arrangement. Persian rugs cover the floor, and the furniture, upholstered in golden leather and distinguished by elegance of form and colour, unites in graceful harmony with its surroundings. A marvel of beauty and charm, this court is undeniably the favourite lounging place of both ladies and gentlemen, where they may chat over their after dinner coffee, as if in the fashionable restaurant of some first-class metropolitan hotel."

The Upper Smoking Room. "In view of the 'Rotterdam's' great passenger carrying capacity, two smoke rooms have been provided: an upper and a lower one. At the head of the stairway, connecting these rooms, a valuable canvas is seen representing the early city of 'Rotterdam,' after which the steamer was named."

The Lower Smoking Room. "In the wall opposite the lower stair landing, a beautiful hearth and fire place of distinctive design is built, while the panelled walls are ornamented with tiles from the Delft Tile Galleries, representing the works of old and modern masters. With the furnishings in Dutch Renaissance style, the woodwork in stained oak, with tables and easy chairs arranged so as to form corners and sections inviting to sociable conversation, a wonderful harmony of scheme prevails, and, true to its aim, the ensemble presents an aspect of cheerfulness which makes these rooms the favourite retreat of the gentlemen."

The Verandah or café-terrace, connects with the upper smoke room. "It is sheltered on three sides, but gives a full view of the ocean (facing aft)." Along with the upper smoke room, palm court and library, these public rooms were located on the Sun Deck. The other public rooms, the social hall and lower smoke room, were found on the Promenade Deck. The first class dining room was on B Deck.

The First Class Dining Room. "Extending over the entire width of the steamer, and covering a floor area of 92 by 74 feet, this most notable room is an achievement in itself, both for size and for the great beauty of its decorative scheme. It offers seating capacity for 500 guests and is equipped with small tables, seating from 2 to 8 passengers each, an innovation which has become extremely popular. In the centre, impressive columns in carved mahogany and gold encircle an open 'well' which above the ceiling is closed in by a richly decorated balustrade. The room is finished in Empire style, the colour scheme being pearl-grey lacquer and gold. The walls, adorned with windows of decorative glass set in brass, are panelled in bas-relief, the panels being intersected by pilasters with gilt bronze capitals. A large buffet in carved mahogany, several smaller buffets, serving tables, and a Steinway piano, complete the furniture of this splendid room, the wonderful harmony in tone and colours of which cannot fail to impress the beholder."

The First Class Dining Room (another view) had square tables and swivel chairs that were fastened to the deck. According to Peter Kohler; In the 1920's, more convivial round tables and free-standing armchairs were installed. Note the lovely shaded table lamps. In those days, dinner dress (white tie for gentlemen) was de rigeur, most evenings.