sæluskip (ON) noun

A ‘bliss ship’ or ‘soul ship’. These ferries were funded by benefactors [although the KLNM says they (as part of kristfé ‘Christ’s properties’, i.e. property especially used to pay for the maintanance of paupers) were administered by the hreppr 'commune'?] and intended for public use. Several versions of ‘The Old Tithe Law of the Icelanders’ (ON Tíundarlög íslendínga hin fornu) state that property given to establish a sæluskip is exempt from inclusion in the tithe (e.g. DI I:22a item 2). Often mentioned with charity bridges (ON sálubrú) and other charitable establishments.

charity boat OIce Grg Tíg 255 Refs:

CV s.v. brú sæla; Fritzner s.v. sæluskip; KLNM s.v. kristfé