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{{Short description|Swedish sea captain (1894–1961)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = John Nordlander
| name = John Nordlander
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| image = Captain John Nordlander onboard MS Kungsholm (1954).jpg
| image = Captain John Nordlander onboard MS Kungsholm (1954).jpg
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by the blind and visually impaired's speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by the blind and visually impaired's speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption = Captain John Nordlander<br>onboard {{MS|Kungsholm|1928|6}} (1954)<br>([[Swedish Television]])
| caption = Captain John Nordlander<br />aboard {{MS|Kungsholm|1928|6}} (1954)<br />([[Swedish Television]])
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date = 1894
| birth_date = 1894
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| death_date = 1961
| death_date = 1961
| death_place = [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]]
| death_place = [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]]
| nationality = {{flag|Sweden}}
| nationality = Swedish
| other_names =
| other_names =
| occupation = [[Sea Captain]]
| occupation = [[sea captain]]
| years_active =
| years_active =
| employer = [[Swedish American Line]]<br>[[Swedish Navy]]
| employer = [[Swedish American Line]]<br />[[Swedish Navy]]
| organization = [[Red Cross]]
| organization = [[Red Cross]]
| known_for =
| known_for =
| notable_works =
| notable_works =
}}
}}
'''John Leonard Nordlander''' (1894–1961) was a [[Swedes|Swedish]] [[sea captain]] and [[Commander]] commissioned by the [[shipping line]] [[Swedish American Line]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 December 1953 |title="Kungsholm" lagger till |language=sv |pages=1 |website=[[Vestkusten]] |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19531203.1.1 |access-date=2019-06-11 |via=[[California Digital Newspaper Collection]]}}</ref> crossing the Atlantic Ocean 532 times.<ref name="Vestkusten">{{Cite news |date=8 June 1961 |title=Kapten J. Nordlander avliden |language=sv |pages=4 |work=[[Vestkusten]] |issue=23 |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=VEST19610608.2.44&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1 |via=[[California Digital Newspaper Collection]]}}</ref>


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During [[World War II]], while serving as [[Master mariner|Master]] of {{SS|Drottningholm}}, Captain Nordlander was responsible for rescuing thousands of victims of war uniquely through hostile waters in collaboration with the [[Red Cross]] and effectively with the [[Allies of World War II|Allied powers]], with approval of the [[Swedish royal family]].
'''John Leonard Nordlander''' (1894-1961) was a [[Swedes|Swedish]] [[Sea Captain]] and [[Commander]] commissioned by the [[shipping line]] [[Swedish American Line]].<ref>http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19531203.1.1</ref>


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==Biography==
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At the time of [[World War II]], while serving as Commander of {{SS|Drottningholm}}, Captain John Nordlander was responsible for rescuing thousands of victims of war uniquely through hostile waters in collaboration with the [[Red Cross]] and effectively with the [[Allies of World War II|Allied powers]], with approval of the [[Swedish royal family]].
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John [[Nordlander]] was born in 1894 in [[Härnösand]], [[Västernorrland County]], [[Sweden]], to a family of [[seafarer]]s, and was educated there as a captain.


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Initially serving in the [[Swedish Navy]] and aboard international sailing ships, Nordlander was first educated as a [[Chief mate|First Officer]] in [[Härnösand]] and then as a Captain at the [[:sv:Navigationsskolan i Göteborg|Marine Officer's School of Gothenburg]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 1961 |title=Dödsfall: J. Nordlander |language=sv |pages=28 |work=[[Dagens Nyheter]]}}</ref>
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== Biography ==
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John [[Nordlander]] was born in 1894 in [[Härnösand]], [[Västernorrland County]], [[Sweden]], to a family of [[seafarer]]s, and was educated there as a [[Sea captain]].


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Nordlander died in 1961 in Gothenburg and was buried there at [[Östra kyrkogården, Gothenburg|Östra kyrkogården]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.svenskagravar.se/search?Query=John%20Nordlander&OrderByDesc=False|title=Sök gravsatt på SvenskaGravar.se|last=AB|first=Eniac Data|website=www.svenskagravar.se|language=sv-SE|access-date=2019-06-11}}</ref>
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Initially serving in the [[Swedish Navy]] and onboard international sailing ships, John Nordlander was first educated as a [[Chief mate|First Officer]] in [[Härnösand]] and then as a [[Sea Captain]] at the [[:sv:Navigationsskolan i Göteborg|Marine Officer's School of Gothenburg]].<ref>[[Dagens Nyheter]], 18 May 1961, p. 28</ref>


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==Swedish American Line==
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Nordlander died in 1961 in Gothenburg and was buried there at [[Östra kyrkogården, Gothenburg|Östra kyrkogården]].<ref>http://www.svenskagravar.se/index.php/visa_gravsatt/?ID=80010037&LOPNR=31046&FOR_NAMN=John&EFTER_NAMN=Nordlander&GRAV_NR_SELTYPE=E&ORDER_BY=fornamn&ORDER_DIRECTION=asc</ref>
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[[Image:GarboandStiller.jpg|thumb|left|[[Greta Garbo]] and [[Mauritz Stiller]] aboard {{SS|Drottningholm}} in 1925 en route to the [[United States]]]]
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[[Image:Ms_Kungsholm_1928_by_Kircher.jpg|thumb|{{MS|Kungsholm|1928|6}} in painting (1928) by [[Alexander Kircher]] (1867–1939)]]
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[[Image:SS_Drottningholm_1905.jpg|thumb|{{SS|Drottningholm}} (1922)]]
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[[Image:MN_Stockholm.jpg|thumb|[[MV Astoria|MS ''Stockholm'']] (1952)]]
[[Image:MS_Kungsholm_1954.jpg|thumb|{{MS|Kungsholm|1952|6}}]]


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Nordlander was commissioned by the [[Swedish American Line]] in 1920 and subsequently served as naval officer on all its ships on transatlantic cruises as well as in other directions, including the [[West Indies]]. Ships that Nordlander commanded include:<ref>{{Cite web |author-mask=Landsarkivet i Göteborg |title=Befalhavare på Svenska Amerika Liniens passagerarbåtar SAL |url=http://sal.hagmanstorp.com/befalhavare_sal.htm |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=sal.hagmanstorp.com |language=sv |archive-date=6 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506090031/http://sal.hagmanstorp.com/befalhavare_sal.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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== Swedish American Line ==
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* {{MS|Kungsholm|1928|6}} (1941, 1942, 1947), as ''John Ericsson'' (1947)
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[[Image:GarboandStiller.jpg|thumb|left|[[Greta Garbo]] and [[Mauritz Stiller]] on board {{SS|Drottningholm}} in 1925 en route to the [[United States]].]]
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[[Image:Ms_Kungsholm_1928_by_Kircher.jpg|thumb|{{MS|Kungsholm|1928|6}} in painting (1928) by [[Alexander Kircher]] (1867–1939).]]
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[[Image:SS_Drottningholm_1905.jpg|thumb|{{SS|Drottningholm}} (1922).]]
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[[Image:MN_Stockholm.jpg|thumb|[[MV Astoria|MS ''Stockholm'']] (1952).]]
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Captain John Nordlander was commissioned by the [[Swedish American Line]] in 1920 and subsequently served as naval officer on all its ships on transatlantic cruises as well as in other directions, including the [[West Indies]]. The ships under the command of Captain John Nordlander included the following:<ref>http://sal.hagmanstorp.com/befalhavare_sal.htm ; Landsarkivet i Göteborg</ref>
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* {{MS|Kungsholm|1928|6}} (1941, 1942, 1953–1954, 1955-1957), as ''John Ericsson'' (1947)
* {{MS|Gripsholm}}
* {{MS|Gripsholm}}
* {{SS|Drottningholm}} (1942–1948)
* {{SS|Drottningholm}} (1942–1948)
* [[MV Astoria|MS ''Stockholm'']] (1948–1953, 1954),<ref>http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19521127.1.5</ref> later renamed MV ''Astoria''
* [[MV Astoria|MS ''Stockholm'']] (1948–1953, 1954),<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 November 1952 |title=Med cirka 200 passagerare |language=sv |pages=5 |website=[[Vestkusten]] |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19521127.1.5 |access-date=2019-06-11 |via=[[California Digital Newspaper Collection]]}}</ref> later renamed MV ''Astoria''
* {{MS|Kungsholm|1952|6}} Flagship 1953–1954, 1955–1957


Besides the war activities, towards the end of his career he was also in charge of multiple dramatic rescue missions. Among these were the 1950 incident of the Norwegian ship ''[[Crown Prince Olav]]'' when she suddenly caught fire outside the coast of [[Halland]], located along the west coast of Sweden. Despite no sight due to heavy fog, with only help of the radar system, Captain John Nordlander managed to fetch and tow the deteriorating vessel and its 120 passengers safely back to the nearest port.<ref>[[Aftonbladet]], 20 December 1959, p. 6</ref> Furthermore, in 1955 the British 7 000 tons heavy ''[[Argobeam]]'' also caught fire in the sea outside [[Ireland]], rescued by Captain Nordlander.
Besides his war activities, later in his career Nordlander was also directed other rescue missions. Among these were the 1950 incident of the Norwegian ship ''[[Crown Prince Olav]]'' which caught fire off [[Halland]], on the west coast of Sweden. Despite no visibility due to heavy fog, helped only by radar, Nordlander managed to find and tow the deteriorating ship and her 120 passengers safely to the nearest port.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 December 1959 |title= |language=sv |pages=6 |work=[[Aftonbladet]]}}</ref> In 1955, Nordlander rescued the British {{GRT|7130}} {{MV|Argobeam}} which caught fire off [[Ireland]].


== World War II ==
==World War II==
Captain John Nordlander's service eventually stretched the tumultuous years of [[World War II]].
Nordlander served throughout [[World War II]].


=== American vessel requisition in New York ===
===US ship requisition in New York===
Following the outbreak of World War II, {{MS|Kungsholm|1928|6}}, commanded by Captain John Nordlander, was seized at [[New York City]] and placed under the [[Flag of the United States|American flag]] and purchased by the [[Federal government of the United States|United States government]].
In 1942 after the USA entered World War II, {{MS|Kungsholm|1928|6}}, commanded by Nordlander, was seized at [[New York City]], compulsorily purchased by the [[Federal government of the United States|United States government]] for the [[War Shipping Administration]], converted into a [[Troopship|troop ship]] and registered under the [[Flag of the United States|US flag]].


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===Allied prisoner exchanges and rescue missions===
The [[United States Lines]] were appointed [[agent (law)|agents]] by the [[War Shipping Administration]] to run the ship as a [[Troopship|troop transport]], renamed it to ''USAT John Ericsson'' after the Swedish-American inventor [[John Ericsson]] (1803–1889), and appointed American Captain [[John W. Anderson (sailor)|John W. Anderson]] as her Commander. She left New York at the end of January 1942 in a [[convoy]] with a full complement of 6,000 U.S. soldiers for [[Australia]] and [[Noumea]], with the ultimate mission to [[garrison]] the island of [[New Caledonia]]. After her returning to the [[Atlantic]], ''USAT John Ericsson'' resumed her mission. By the close of the war she had safely transported some 300,000 troops under Allied supervision to various theaters of war, despite frequent attacks by enemy [[submarines]] and [[aircraft]].
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[[File:Göteborg (Gothenburg), Västergötland, Sweden.jpg|thumb|Stigbergskajen quay in [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]], where the steamships of the Swedish American Line moored under Swedish and American flags, and the port terminal "The American Shed" (1944).]]
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After the purchase of his former ship, Nordlander was appointed Master of {{SS|Drottningholm}} 1942–1948, carrying out several prisoner transport missions, totalling thousands of displaced victims and [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]], notably in collaboration with the [[Red Cross]]. Under signs such as "Freigeleit – Protected, Drottningholm Sweden", she was one of the few ships that sailed hostile waters with all lights shining at night.


In 1942 ''Drottningholm''{{'}}s sides were marked "Diplomat – Drottningholm Sverige" when carrying disabled prisoners of war, victims of Nazi [[concentration camps]] and [[diplomat]]s from [[Liverpool]], [[United Kingdom]], to [[North America]].
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=== Allied prisoner exchanges and rescue missions ===
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[[File:Göteborg (Gothenburg), Västergötland, Sweden.jpg|thumb|Stigbergskajen quay in [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]], where the steamers of the Swedish American Line moored under Swedish and American flags, and the port terminal "The American Shed" (1944).]]
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Subsequent to the acquisition of his former vessel, Captain John Nordlander was appointed Commander of {{SS|Drottningholm}} 1942–1948, carrying out multiple prisoner transport missions, totalling thousands of displaced victims and [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]], notably in collaboration with the [[Red Cross]]. Under signs such as "Freigeleit - Protected, Drottningholm Sweden", she turned out to be one of the few ships that sailed hostile waters with all lights shining at night.


During 1942, SS ''Drottningholm'' was sporting signs on its sides displaying "Diplomat - Drottningholm Sverige" when transporting disabled prisoners of war, victims of Nazi [[concentration camps]] as well as [[diplomat]]s from [[Liverpool]], [[United Kingdom]], to [[North America]].
In September 1944 she was deployed by the [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]] to transport prisoners of war and [[civilian]]s being repatriated from [[Nazi Germany]] to the United Kingdom via [[Sweden]].


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Another voyage in April 1945 docked in Liverpool that included 212 ex-interned [[Channel Islanders]].<ref name="REH1">{{cite book |last=Harris |first=Roger E |title=Islanders deported part 1 |publisher=C.I.S.S. Publishing |year=1979 |isbn=9780902633636 |location=Ilford}}</ref>{{rp|172–9}} One of the voyages is indicated to have safely relocated 1,362 individuals at once.<ref>{{Cite web |title=March of Time -- outtakes -- Ship launching at Swedish harbor; Red Cross ships with POWs - Collections Search - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum |url=https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn1002812 |access-date=2019-06-11 |website=[[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]]}}</ref>
In September 1944 she was deployed by the [[Red Cross]] to transport prisoners of war and [[civilian]]s being repatriated from [[Nazi Germany]] to the United Kingdom via [[Sweden]].


⚫
{{blockquote|Probably for security reasons, we do not take the most direct route, but skirt around the west of Ireland. Liverpool is in the morning mist. From afar we hear the sirens of the boats that welcome. A huge crowd and happy jostling on the quay. The harbor is decorated with banners and flags. Emotions run high among the passengers. Then finally, when we drop anchor, a military band welcomed us by playing "God Save the King" and popular tunes.|Mr Donald Prager about his voyage from Lisbon to Liverpool in August 1944, aboard ''Drottningholm''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salship.se/mercy.php|title = Drottningholm and Gripsholm The Exchange and Repatriation Voyages During WWII|last=Hemingstam|first=Lars|website=A Tribute to the Swedish American Line|access-date=2022-05-27}}</ref>}}
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Another voyage in April 1945 docked in Liverpool that included 212 ex-interned [[Channel Islanders]].<ref name="REH1">{{cite book |first=Roger E. |last=Harris |title=Islanders deported part 1 |isbn=978-0902633636}}</ref>{{rp|172-9}} One of the voyages is indicated to have safely relocated 1,362 individuals at once.<ref>http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=3469</ref>


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{{blockquote|We were a day or two aboard this vessel glorying in our new found freedom. Bands were sent down to the quayside to play for us and generally we were made very much at ease. The Crown Princess came aboard and moved amongst us. [...] We left the Swedish harbour to the strains of both our national anthems and set course for home. Guided through the Skaggerak, then into the North Sea with only water between us and Britain. A few days more and we were within our own territorial waters. Then Leith and the pipe band to welcome us. We were home!|Alistair Crawford Cameron MacRitchie, Medical Orderly in the [[Royal Army Medical Corps]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salship.se/MacRitchie.php|title=Alistair Crawford Cameron MacRitchie|author=<!--Not stated-->|website=A Tribute to the Swedish American Line|access-date=2022-05-27}}</ref>}}
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{{quote|Probably for security reasons, we do not take the most direct route, but skirt around the west of Ireland. Liverpool is in the morning mist. From afar we hear the sirens of the boats that welcome. A huge crowd and happy jostling on the quay. The harbor is decorated with banners and flags. Emotions run high among the passengers. Then finally, when we drop anchor, a military band welcomed us by playing "God Save the King" and popular tunes.|Mr Donald Prager about his voyage from Lisbon to Liverpool in August 1944, onboard SS Drottningholm<ref>http://www.salship.se/mercy.php</ref>}}


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==In popular culture==
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{{quote|We were a day or two aboard this vessel glorying in our new found freedom. Bands were sent down to the quayside to play for us and generally we were made very much at ease. The Crown Princess came aboard and moved amongst us. [...] We left the Swedish harbour to the strains of both our national anthems and set course for home. Guided through the Skaggerak, then into the North Sea with only water between us and Britain. A few days more and we were within our own territorial waters. Then Leith and the pipe band to welcome us. We were home!|Alistair Crawford Cameron MacRitchie, Medical Orderly in the [[Royal Army Medical Corps]]<ref>http://www.salship.se/MacRitchie.php</ref>}}
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In tribute to the vessel under Nordlander's command, a short illustrated movie, ''The S.S. Drottningholm'' (2014), was produced by Molly DeVries about her ancestors, the Jewish-American concert pianist [[Walter Hautzig]] and writer [[Esther Hautzig]]. The two belonged to and met among the thousands of passengers on rescue missions aboard ''Drottningholm'', and later got married.<ref>{{Citation|last=Molly DeVries|title=The S.S. Drottningholm|date=2014-01-02|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZfXTe_bf4|access-date=2019-06-11}}</ref>


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==Distinctions==
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== In popular culture ==
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* Sweden: [[Knight]] 1st Class of the [[Order of Vasa]] (1945)<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://runeberg.org/statskal/1955/1507.html |title=Sveriges statskalender |year=1955 |pages=239 |language=sv}}</ref>
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In tribute to the vessel under Nordlander's command, a short illustrated movie, ''The S.S. Drottningholm'' (2014), was produced by Molly DeVries about her ancestors, the Jewish-American concert pianist [[Walter Hautzig]] and writer [[Esther Hautzig]]. The two belonged to and met among the thousands of passengers on rescue missions onboard SS ''Drottningholm'', and later got married.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZfXTe_bf4</ref>
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* Denmark: Knight of the [[Order of the Dannebrog]]<ref name=":0" />

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* Finland: [[Order of the Lion of Finland]]<ref name="Vestkusten" />
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== Distinctions ==
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* United Kingdom: [[Sea Gallantry Medal]] in Silver for Saving Life at Sea (1956) by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] for the rescue mission of ''Argobeam''<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 July 1956 |title= |language=sv |work=[[Dagens Nyheter]]}}</ref>
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* {{flag|Sweden}}: [[Knight]] 1st Class of the [[Order of Vasa]] (1945)<ref>http://runeberg.org/statskal/1955/1507.html</ref>
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* United States: [[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]]
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* {{flag|Denmark}}: Knight of the [[Order of the Dannebrog]]<ref>http://runeberg.org/statskal/1955/1507.html</ref>
* Sweden: Emmery Medal of the [[Royal Patriotic Society]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=5 February 1948 |title=Kapten Nordlander får Röda Kors-medalj |language=sv |pages=1 |website=[[Vestkusten]] |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19480205.1.1 |access-date=2019-06-11 |via=[[California Digital Newspaper Collection]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
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* {{flag|Finland}}: [[Order of the Lion of Finland]]<ref>https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19610608.2.44</ref>
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* Delaware: [[Awards and decorations of the National Guard#Delaware|Medal of Delaware]]<ref name=":1" />
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* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: [[Sea Gallantry Medal]] in Silver for Saving Life at Sea (1956) by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] for the rescue mission of ''[[MV Argobeam]]''<ref>[[Dagens Nyheter]] 17 July 1956</ref>
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* Sweden: Medal of Merit [[Commemorative plaque|Plaque]] of the [[Swedish Sea Rescue Society]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 December 1955 |title= |language=sv |work=[[Dagens Nyheter]]}}</ref>
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* {{flag|United States}}: [[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]]
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* Sweden: Medal of Merit of the [[Red Cross]] in [[Sweden]], conferred by [[King Gustaf V]] for his "humanitarian efforts during ''SS Drottningholm's'' transports during wartime"<ref name=":1" />
* {{flagicon|Sweden}} Emmery Medal of the [[Royal Patriotic Society]]<ref>http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19480205.1.1</ref>
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* Cuba: [[Order of Merit]] and Honour of the [[Cuban Red Cross]]
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* {{flag|Delaware}}: [[Awards and decorations of the National Guard#Delaware|Medal of Delaware]]<ref>http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19480205.1.1</ref>
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* {{flagicon|Sweden}} Medal of Merit [[Commemorative plaque|Plaque]] of the [[Swedish Sea Rescue Society]]<ref>[[Dagens Nyheter]] 16 December 1955</ref>
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* {{flagicon|Sweden}} Medal of Merit of the [[Red Cross]] in [[Sweden]], conferred by [[King Gustaf V]] for his "humanitarian efforts during ''SS Drottningholm's'' transports during wartime"<ref>http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=VEST19480205.1.1</ref>
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* {{flagicon|Cuba}} [[Order of Merit]] and Honour of the [[Cuban Red Cross]]

== See also ==
* [[Nordlander]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
<references/>


== External links ==
== External links ==


=== Videos ===
=== Videos ===
* ''[http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=4685 Swedish ship Drottningholm arrives in US with diplomatic officers leaving Axis nations]'' (1942) ([[The March of Time]]), [[Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive]], [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]]
* [http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=4685 Swedish ship Drottningholm arrives in US with diplomatic officers leaving Axis nations] (1942) ([[The March of Time]]), [[Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive]], [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L23GBdMxvjs Refugee ship Drottningholm arrives]'' (1942) ([[Associated Press]] Archive)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L23GBdMxvjs Refugee ship Drottningholm arrives] (1942) ([[Associated Press]] Archive)
* ''[http://www.gettyimages.se/detail/video/drottningholm-arriving-in-the-new-york-harbor-people-nyhetsvideor/502852393 Former US Diplomats From Europe Brought to New York on Ocean Liner]'' (1942), [[Getty Images]]
* [http://www.gettyimages.se/detail/video/drottningholm-arriving-in-the-new-york-harbor-people-nyhetsvideor/502852393 Former US Diplomats From Europe Brought to New York on Ocean Liner] (1942), [[Getty Images]]
* ''[http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=3469 Ship launching at Swedish Harbor; Red Cross Ships with POWS]'' (1944) ([[The March of Time]]), [[Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive]], [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]]
* [http://www.ushmm.org/online/film/display/detail.php?file_num=3469 Ship launching at Swedish Harbor; Red Cross Ships with POWS] (1944) ([[The March of Time]]), [[Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive]], [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgirn6Hqws Hospital Ship 'Drottningholm']'' (1944), [[Liverpool]], [[Merseyside]], [[United Kingdom]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgirn6Hqws Hospital Ship 'Drottningholm'] (1944), [[Liverpool]], [[Merseyside]], [[United Kingdom]]
* ''[http://www.filmarkivet.se/sv/Film/?movieid=815 Semester på Atlanten]'' (1954) onboard {{MS|Kungsholm|1928|2}} (English translation: "Vacation on the Atlantic"), Filmarkivet, [[Swedish Film Institute]] (figuring Captain John Nordlander at 12.00 onwards)
* [http://www.filmarkivet.se/sv/Film/?movieid=815 Semester på Atlanten] (1954) aboard {{MS|Kungsholm|1928|2}} (English translation: "Vacation on the Atlantic"), Filmarkivet, [[Swedish Film Institute]] (figuring Captain John Nordlander at 12.00 onwards)
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZfXTe_bf4 The S.S. Drottningholm]'' (2014), a short illustrated movie by Molly DeVries about Jewish-American concert pianist [[Walter Hautzig]] and writer [[Esther Hautzig]], who met at a rescue mission onboard SS Drottningholm and later eventually married
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZfXTe_bf4 The S.S. Drottningholm] (2014), a short illustrated movie by Molly DeVries about Jewish-American concert pianist [[Walter Hautzig]] and writer [[Esther Hautzig]], who met at a rescue mission aboard SS Drottningholm and later eventually married


=== Images ===
===Images===
* [https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/lmc2000008748/PP/ "Princess Sibylla, Crown Prince Carl Gustaf and the royal princesses being greeted on board by Captain John Nordlander"] (1953), [[Library of Congress]]
* [https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/lmc2000008748/PP/ "Princess Sibylla, Crown Prince Carl Gustaf and the royal princesses being greeted on board by Captain John Nordlander"] (1953), [[Library of Congress]]


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[[Category:1961 deaths]]
[[Category:1961 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Härnösand]]
[[Category:People from Härnösand]]
[[Category:19th-century Swedish people]]
[[Category:20th-century Swedish people]]
[[Category:20th-century Swedish people]]
[[Category:Swedish sailors]]
[[Category:Swedish sailors]]
[[Category:Nautical captains]]
[[Category:Sea captains]]
[[Category:Swedish people of World War II]]
[[Category:Swedish people of World War II]]
[[Category:Naval personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Swedish humanitarians]]
[[Category:Rescue of Jews during the Holocaust]]
[[Category:Red Cross personnel]]
[[Category:Red Cross personnel]]
[[Category:Knights First Class of the Order of Vasa]]
[[Category:Knights First Class of the Order of Vasa]]
[[Category:Knights of the Order of the Dannebrog]]
[[Category:Knights of the Order of the Dannebrog]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sea Gallantry Medal]]

Latest revision as of 10:02, 25 November 2024

John Nordlander
RVO, RDO, SGM
Captain John Nordlander
aboard MS Kungsholm (1954)
(Swedish Television)
Born1894
Härnösand, Sweden
Died1961
Gothenburg, Sweden
NationalitySwedish
Occupationsea captain
Employer(s)Swedish American Line
Swedish Navy
OrganizationRed Cross

John Leonard Nordlander (1894–1961) was a Swedish sea captain and Commander commissioned by the shipping line Swedish American Line,[1] crossing the Atlantic Ocean 532 times.[2]

During World War II, while serving as Master of SS Drottningholm, Captain Nordlander was responsible for rescuing thousands of victims of war uniquely through hostile waters in collaboration with the Red Cross and effectively with the Allied powers, with approval of the Swedish royal family.

Biography

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John Nordlander was born in 1894 in Härnösand, Västernorrland County, Sweden, to a family of seafarers, and was educated there as a captain.

Initially serving in the Swedish Navy and aboard international sailing ships, Nordlander was first educated as a First Officer in Härnösand and then as a Captain at the Marine Officer's School of Gothenburg.[3]

Nordlander died in 1961 in Gothenburg and was buried there at Östra kyrkogården.[4]

Swedish American Line

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Greta Garbo and Mauritz Stiller aboard SS Drottningholm in 1925 en route to the United States
MS Kungsholm in painting (1928) by Alexander Kircher (1867–1939)
SS Drottningholm (1922)
MS Stockholm (1952)
MS Kungsholm

Nordlander was commissioned by the Swedish American Line in 1920 and subsequently served as naval officer on all its ships on transatlantic cruises as well as in other directions, including the West Indies. Ships that Nordlander commanded include:[5]

Besides his war activities, later in his career Nordlander was also directed other rescue missions. Among these were the 1950 incident of the Norwegian ship Crown Prince Olav which caught fire off Halland, on the west coast of Sweden. Despite no visibility due to heavy fog, helped only by radar, Nordlander managed to find and tow the deteriorating ship and her 120 passengers safely to the nearest port.[7] In 1955, Nordlander rescued the British 7,130 GRT MV Argobeam which caught fire off Ireland.

World War II

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Nordlander served throughout World War II.

US ship requisition in New York

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In 1942 after the USA entered World War II, MS Kungsholm, commanded by Nordlander, was seized at New York City, compulsorily purchased by the United States government for the War Shipping Administration, converted into a troop ship and registered under the US flag.

Allied prisoner exchanges and rescue missions

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Stigbergskajen quay in Gothenburg, Sweden, where the steamships of the Swedish American Line moored under Swedish and American flags, and the port terminal "The American Shed" (1944).

After the purchase of his former ship, Nordlander was appointed Master of SS Drottningholm 1942–1948, carrying out several prisoner transport missions, totalling thousands of displaced victims and prisoners of war, notably in collaboration with the Red Cross. Under signs such as "Freigeleit – Protected, Drottningholm Sweden", she was one of the few ships that sailed hostile waters with all lights shining at night.

In 1942 Drottningholm's sides were marked "Diplomat – Drottningholm Sverige" when carrying disabled prisoners of war, victims of Nazi concentration camps and diplomats from Liverpool, United Kingdom, to North America.

In September 1944 she was deployed by the Red Cross to transport prisoners of war and civilians being repatriated from Nazi Germany to the United Kingdom via Sweden.

Another voyage in April 1945 docked in Liverpool that included 212 ex-interned Channel Islanders.[8]: 172–9  One of the voyages is indicated to have safely relocated 1,362 individuals at once.[9]

Probably for security reasons, we do not take the most direct route, but skirt around the west of Ireland. Liverpool is in the morning mist. From afar we hear the sirens of the boats that welcome. A huge crowd and happy jostling on the quay. The harbor is decorated with banners and flags. Emotions run high among the passengers. Then finally, when we drop anchor, a military band welcomed us by playing "God Save the King" and popular tunes.

— Mr Donald Prager about his voyage from Lisbon to Liverpool in August 1944, aboard Drottningholm[10]

We were a day or two aboard this vessel glorying in our new found freedom. Bands were sent down to the quayside to play for us and generally we were made very much at ease. The Crown Princess came aboard and moved amongst us. [...] We left the Swedish harbour to the strains of both our national anthems and set course for home. Guided through the Skaggerak, then into the North Sea with only water between us and Britain. A few days more and we were within our own territorial waters. Then Leith and the pipe band to welcome us. We were home!

— Alistair Crawford Cameron MacRitchie, Medical Orderly in the Royal Army Medical Corps[11]
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In tribute to the vessel under Nordlander's command, a short illustrated movie, The S.S. Drottningholm (2014), was produced by Molly DeVries about her ancestors, the Jewish-American concert pianist Walter Hautzig and writer Esther Hautzig. The two belonged to and met among the thousands of passengers on rescue missions aboard Drottningholm, and later got married.[12]

Distinctions

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References

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  1. ^ ""Kungsholm" lagger till". Vestkusten (in Swedish). 3 December 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 11 June 2019 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  2. ^ a b "Kapten J. Nordlander avliden". Vestkusten (in Swedish). No. 23. 8 June 1961. p. 4 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  3. ^ "Dödsfall: J. Nordlander". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 18 May 1961. p. 28.
  4. ^ AB, Eniac Data. "Sök gravsatt på SvenskaGravar.se". www.svenskagravar.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Befalhavare på Svenska Amerika Liniens passagerarbåtar SAL". sal.hagmanstorp.com (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Med cirka 200 passagerare". Vestkusten (in Swedish). 27 November 1952. p. 5. Retrieved 11 June 2019 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  7. ^ Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 20 December 1959. p. 6. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ Harris, Roger E (1979). Islanders deported part 1. Ilford: C.I.S.S. Publishing. ISBN 9780902633636.
  9. ^ "March of Time -- outtakes -- Ship launching at Swedish harbor; Red Cross ships with POWs - Collections Search - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum". United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  10. ^ Hemingstam, Lars. "Drottningholm and Gripsholm The Exchange and Repatriation Voyages During WWII". A Tribute to the Swedish American Line. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Alistair Crawford Cameron MacRitchie". A Tribute to the Swedish American Line. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  12. ^ Molly DeVries (2 January 2014), The S.S. Drottningholm, retrieved 11 June 2019
  13. ^ a b Sveriges statskalender (in Swedish). 1955. p. 239.
  14. ^ Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 17 July 1956. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ a b c "Kapten Nordlander får Röda Kors-medalj". Vestkusten (in Swedish). 5 February 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 11 June 2019 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  16. ^ Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 16 December 1955. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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Videos

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Images

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