The diplomatic ship between Hansa’s warships

Between the cruisers in Hansa’s 1969 catalogue sits a very different vessel. No. S160 is labelled “Diplomaten-Schiff Gripsholm”, with GRIPSHOLM and SVERIGE written prominently along its side.

Those large markings had a serious purpose on the real ship. A US State Department telegram from June 1942 describes Gripsholm as a Swedish vessel chartered to transport Japanese nationals to Lourenço Marques and bring Americans back to New York. The instructions specify a white hull, the ship’s name, the Swedish flag and the words Sverige and Diplomat on both sides.

The vessel was also to travel fully lit at night, with its identifying markings illuminated. Its safety depended on being recognised.

Hansa’s small side-profile drawing preserves that unusual appearance. In a catalogue full of armed ships, this one carried people being exchanged between countries at war.