Advertisement by the Trondheim agent "Wallin" in the newspaper "Trondhjems Adressecontors Efterretninger April 2nd, 1870: "The American Emigration Company conveys emigrants to all parts of the United States by the national Line's steamships, namely: France 3571 tons, Pennsylvania 2889 tons, Erin 3318 tons, Italy 3700 tons, Helvetia 3318 tons, England 3307 tons, Denmark 3118 tons, Egypt (under construction) 4000 tons, The Queen 3517 tons, Virginia 2887 tons, Holland 3530 tons Spain (under construction) 4000 tons. These ships are the biggest and most comfortable that are sailing the Atlantic; every Wednesday they depart from Liverpool, the Eirin on the 6th of April, the France extra on the 9th of April, Virginia on the 13th of April, Pennsylvania on the 20th of April, the Helvetia on the 27th of April and so on, as will be announced later. This company conveys from Sweden almost the same amount of emigrants as all the other companies together, and also in Norway it has a good reputation by their main agent Mr. O. Svenson. By the National Line steamships about 20 000 Scandinavians will cross the ocean this year, and because of this the emigrants will not be exposed much to emigrants of other nationalities aboard the ships. The ships carry doctors and Norwegian interpreters and stewards. Passengers enrolls and further information can be obtained from the undersigned, who spent 10 years in America, and thus is well aquatinted to the conditions there. Wallin, Strandgaden Nr. 3. "

The National Steamship Company was the third of the transatlantic steamship companies to establish in Trondheim when it first became represented by agent Wallin in 1870. It became a hard competitor to the Allan Line and Anchor Line which was established in the city a few years before. As seen from the above advertisement the company was represented by general agent O. Svenson in 1870. The general agent was situated in Christiania (Oslo), and a network of sub agents was soon established all over Norway. Later the general agent was T. C. Kloed 1884 - 1885, and Joh. Krantz 1888 - 1890.

The following is an advert from an advertising card issued by the New York agent about 1880:

National Line, Passenger Steamships. Comprising Twelve of the largest ocean steam-ships (belonging to the company) in the Atlantic Service, leaving the port of New York, the aggregate tonnage of which amounts to 52.666 tons.

These passenger Steamers have been constructed in the best manner, at the most celebrated Ship-Yards in Great Britain. They are built of iron and steel, in water tight and fire-proof compartments, are of unusual strength and power, and magnificently equipped. They are rated among the finest in the World. As these Steamers are of the largest class, and of remarkable steadiness at Sea, Passengers are not so liable to sickness or discomforts.

UNSURPASSED ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PASSENGERS
The Salons and Staterooms are very spacious and cheerful; finely lighted and ventilated, and elegantly furnished. The Table will compare favorably with that of the best Hotels in England. Ladies Boudoir-also Piano, Library, Smoking, and Bath Rooms, etc. A Surgeon, Stewards, and Stewardesses on every Steamer. Medicine and attendance free.

STEERAGE
The Steerage is large, light and airy, and warmed by Steam in winter. Married couples and families are berthed together; Single persons placed in separate rooms. Meals are served regularly three times a day by the Ship's Stewards, and consists of an unlimited quantity of good and wholesome provisions, put on board under the inspection of the Company's Purveyor. Plenty of fresh drinking water. The care of Surgeon and Stewards free.

PASSAGE RATES
Saloon, $50, $60, $70,..Excursion, $100, $110, $120
Steerage, to Scandinavian or German Ports, - $32
Steerage, from Scandinavian or German Ports, - $30
Steerage, from or to Principal Ports in Great Britain, - $26
BEING $2,00 CHEAPER THAN MOST OTHER LINES
 

For Passage, Plans of Saloons, Dates of Sailing, Drafts, etc., Apply to the Local Agents or to
F. W. HURST; Manager,
69, 71 and 73 Brodway, New York

"Kommerselester" or "Commercial lasts", is a measurement for the inside volume of the ship. It was recognized as the ships burthen or burden. 1 Norwegian Commercial last = 2,08 register ton = 165 Cu ft of cut board or I30 cu,ft of round timber.

There were restrictions on how many passengers a ship could carry. This is what the US Passenger Act of 1819 says about this.

SEC.1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled. That if the master or other person on board of any ship or vessel, owned in the whole or in part by a citizens of the United States, or the territories thereof, or by a subject or subjects, citizen or citizens, of any foreign country, shall, after the first day of January next, take on board of such ship or vessel, at any foreign port or place, or shall bring or convey into the United States, or the territories thereof, from any foreign port or place; or shall carry, convey, or transport, from the United [States] or the territories thereof, to any foreign port or place, a greater number of passengers than two for every five tons of such ship or vessel, according to custom house measurement, every such master, or other person so offending, and the owner or owners of such ship or vessels, shall severally forfeit and pay to the United States, the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, for each and every passenger so taken on board of such ship or vessel over and above the aforesaid number of two to every five tons of such ship or vessel; to be recovered by suit, in any circuit or district court of the United States, where the said vessel may arrive, or where the owner or owners aforesaid may reside: Provided, nevertheless, That nothing in this act shall be taken to apply to the complement of men usually and ordinarily employed in navigating such ship or vessel.

...That no Ship shall sail from any Port or Place in the United Kingdom, or in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, or Sark, or in the Isle of Man, on any Voyage to or for any Port or Place in His Majesty's Possession on the Continent or Islands of North America, with more Persons on board than the Proportion of Three Persons for every Four Tons of the Registered Burthen of such Ship....

§1
No vessel, that is intended to transport passengers from a Norwegian port, to countries outside Europe, must carry more than one adult passenger, hereunder master crew and cabin passengers included, for each Commercial last of burden,

§2
The available space for each adult passenger must not be less than 12 ft² on the upper between deck, and on the lover between deck not less than 30 ft². If the ship is carrying other cargo in addition to the passengers...

Dimensions like length, beam and depth for ships are most often given in feet.