United States Lines: A Century of Transatlantic Travel

United States Lines was a pioneer in transatlantic travel, with its first ship, the SS America, launched in 1940. The SS America was a massive vessel, measuring 901 feet long and 105 feet wide.

The company's fleet grew rapidly, with the SS United States being launched in 1952. This ship was even larger than the SS America, measuring 990 feet long and 106 feet wide.

One of the most notable features of United States Lines was its emphasis on luxury and comfort. The SS United States was equipped with some of the finest amenities available at the time, including a swimming pool, a theater, and a library.

The SS United States also held the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing, completing the journey in just under 3.5 days. This was a remarkable feat, considering the ship's massive size and the challenging waters it had to navigate.

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The United States Lines was a significant American shipping company that operated from 1921 to 1989. It played a pivotal role in immigration, luxury travel, and maritime innovation.

The company was known for its iconic ships, such as the SS United States and the SS Leviathan. These ships were not only beautiful but also played a crucial part in the company's success.

The USL Collection offers invaluable insights for genealogists, historians, educators, and maritime enthusiasts.

United States Lines had a fleet of ships that played a crucial role in the company's success. The ships were a mix of passenger liners and cargo vessels, with some serving as both.

The SS United States, one of the company's most iconic ships, was a passenger liner that was launched in 1952. It was the largest passenger ship in the world at the time, measuring over 1,000 feet in length.

The company's ships operated on a variety of routes, including transatlantic voyages between the United States and Europe.

The SS Leviathan was a majestic ocean liner operated by United States Lines. It had a long and storied history, with its first recorded passenger list dating back to 1924.

The Leviathan's route took it from Southampton to New York via Cherbourg, a common transatlantic route at the time. This route was used for various passenger classes, including First Class and Tourist Cabin.

Captain Herbert Hartley, a seasoned commander, led the Leviathan on several voyages in 1926. He was part of the United States Navy Reserve, indicating the importance of naval personnel in the ship's operations.

The Leviathan also carried American Legion Passengers, specifically those from the Second A.E.F., on a notable voyage in 1927. This event highlights the ship's role in supporting veterans and their families.

In 1928, Captain A. H. Cunningham took command of the Leviathan, marking a change in leadership at the helm. This change was likely a result of the ship's continued operations and the need for experienced commanders.

Commodore H. A. Cunningham, a high-ranking naval officer, also commanded the Leviathan in 1929. His presence on the ship underscores the importance of senior leadership in the maritime industry.

The Leviathan's passenger lists often included detailed information about the ship's operations, such as its route and commander. This attention to detail reflects the ship's commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for its passengers.

The SS Manhattan was a ship that operated from 1932 to 1940, making multiple transatlantic voyages between Hamburg, New York, and other European ports.

Captain Schuyler F. Cumings commanded the ship on several occasions, including a voyage from Hamburg to New York in August 1934.

The SS Manhattan had a varied route, sometimes traveling from Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Le Havre, and other times from New York to Hamburg via Queenstown, Plymouth, and Le Havre.

In 1936, Captain Harry Manning took command of the ship, leading a voyage from Hamburg to New York in July of that year.

The SS Manhattan also carried passengers fleeing Europe, including Jewish migrants leaving European countries after the Third Reich's rise to power in Germany.

One notable voyage was from Lisbon to New York in July 1940, when the ship transported passengers fleeing the war in Europe.

The SS Manhattan made at least 12 transatlantic voyages between 1932 and 1940, with multiple departures and arrivals in various European ports.

The S.S. America began her Atlantic services on July 2, 1940, with her official delivery to the United States Lines in New York.

She was a magnificent Liner, and her name was carefully chosen from a list of over a dozen options, including Columbia, Martha Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.

The ship's maiden voyage was a special one, but before that, she operated two "ten hour voyages to nowhere" on August 5 and 6, 1940, carrying 1,300 and 1,500 travel agents and freight agents, respectively.

The S.S. America was a well-equipped cruise ship, offering high-grade services, fine wines, and live music to her passengers.

She was a sturdy vessel, designed by Naval Architects William Francis Gibbs of Gibbs & Cox, New York, and was ready to take on the challenges of the North Atlantic weather.

The S.S. America continued to ply her trade faithfully for the next eight years, serving as a cruise ship in the West Indies.

The S.S. America was a massive ship, with a Gross Registered Tons (GRT) of 26,454 in 1940.

It had a significant bunker capacity, holding around 4,938 tons of fuel.

The ship's speed was impressive, reaching a service speed of 22 knots and a maximum speed of over 24 knots.

Fuel consumption was substantial, with the ship burning around 250 tons per day.

The S.S. America had a massive cargo capacity, carrying 323,644 tons in 1940.

In its early years, the ship had a large passenger capacity, with 543 Cabin Class, 418 Tourist Class, and 241 Third Class passengers in 1940.

By 1946, the passenger capacity had changed to 516 First Class, 371 Cabin Class, and 159 Tourist Class.

Passenger lists from the United States Lines offer a unique glimpse into transatlantic journeys, covering voyages from the 1920s to the 1950s.

These lists contain valuable details such as passengers' names, origins, destinations, and ship details. For example, the 1923-07-18 voyage of the SS President Van Buren from New York to London is one of the featured lists.

Passengers' immigration and travel details are linked to historical events, making these lists a vital resource for genealogists and family researchers.

The United States Lines served as a primary means of transportation for immigrants traveling to the United States during this time period.

Here are some notable voyages featured in the passenger lists:

Passenger lists from the United States Lines offer a wealth of information for genealogists and family researchers.

These lists cover voyages from the 1920s to the 1950s, providing details such as passengers' names, origins, destinations, and ship details.

The SS President Van Buren, for example, sailed from New York to London on July 18, 1923.

Passengers on the SS America, which sailed from Bremen to New York on August 5, 1925, would have traveled on a ship that was likely equipped with modern amenities for its time.

The SS Manhattan sailed from Hamburg to New York twice, on August 24, 1932, and October 21, 1936.

These journeys would have been significant events for immigrants, marking the beginning of a new life in a foreign country.

The SS United States, which sailed from Southampton to New York on September 25, 1952, would have been a symbol of the post-war era's optimism and growth.

The following voyages are featured in the passenger lists:

The 1930s was a pivotal time for United States Lines, marked by significant changes and investments in their fleet. In 1932, Manhattan was built at a cost of approximately $21 million, becoming the first ship actually built for the line.

United States Lines' parent company, Roosevelt International Mercantile Marine, was struggling and began to wind down its other operations, merging several divisions into United States Lines. This consolidation effort led to the absorption of the American Line in 1932.

The company continued to expand, with the launch of Washington in 1933, and America in 1940. These ships were significant additions to the fleet, but the idea of a new passenger liner, the U.S. Express Liner, was proposed in 1932 and ultimately never built due to congressional refusal to guarantee trans-Atlantic postal rates.

In 1937, United States Lines absorbed the Baltimore Mail Line, and in 1938, the American Merchant Line was also merged into the company. These mergers helped to strengthen United States Lines and position it for future growth.

USL History was marked by significant milestones, including the seizure of German liners during World War I. The line operated these seized vessels, such as the Leviathan, which was one of the largest liners in the world.

In the 1920s, USL accumulated debt and was sold to P.W. Chapman Company, which reorganized it as United States Lines Inc. of Delaware. This reorganization was a result of the stock market crash.

USL's flagship, the United States, enjoyed international acclaim for being the fastest liner in the world and holder of the Blue Riband.

The SS President Arthur was a significant vessel in its time, and its passenger lists offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. The ship's passenger lists are a valuable resource for historians and genealogists.

One notable example is the 1923 passenger list, which departed on October 19, 1923. The Commander of the ship was Captain George Fried, a retired US Navy officer.

Captain Fried's experience was likely invaluable in navigating the ship's route. The SS President Arthur was a notable vessel of its era.

The SS President Garfield and SS President Harding were two ships that carried passengers between London and New York via various ports.

Captain James E. Roberts was the commander of the SS President Garfield when it departed from London on February 24, 1923.

The SS President Harding was a popular ship that offered first-class cabin accommodations, and it departed from New York on October 4, 1922, under the command of Captain Paul C. Grening.

Captain Grening was in command of the SS President Harding on multiple occasions, including January 6, 1923, and again in 1926, when the ship sailed from New York to Bremen via various ports.

The SS President Harding had a long and varied career, with multiple passenger lists recorded between 1922 and 1938, including a notable voyage from Hamburg to New York via Le Havre, Southampton, and Queenstown (Cobh) on September 1, 1937.

Captain John L. Beebe, USNR, was in command of the SS President Harding when it departed from New York on September 17, 1930.

The SS President Monroe was a ship that sailed under the United States Lines flag. It was known for hosting musical concerts for its cabin class passengers, with the first recorded event taking place on July 20, 1920, in the Veranda Cafe.

These concerts were a way for the ship to raise funds for various seamen's charities. The musical programs were held on board the ship and featured performances by the Ship's Orchestra and possibly even talented passengers.

In 1922, the SS President Monroe hosted two musical concerts, one on July 20 and another on August 10. These events were likely held in the Veranda Cafe, which was a popular spot for cabin class passengers.

The SS President Monroe also had a passenger list, which was recorded on August 2, 1922. This list included the date of departure, route, and commander of the ship, Captain M. L. Pittman, U.S.N.R.F.

United States Lines continued to operate as a container ship line after passenger services were terminated. It was bought by Malcom McLean, a pioneer in containerization, in 1978.

By the 1980s, the line operated 43 vessels and was a leader in international shipping. This was a significant milestone for the company.

The company spent over $1 billion in rapidly expanding its fleet and acquiring two competitors, Moore-McCormack Lines and Delta Steamship Lines. This expansion was a major undertaking.

United States Lines borrowed heavily to construct a new class of 12 fuel-efficient container ships known as the Jumbo Econships. These ships were massive, with over 57,000 gross tons.

Just as the new vessels were delivered, international freight rates fell and oil prices collapsed to near historic lows. This sudden change in the market made it difficult for the company to compete.

The company filed for bankruptcy on November 24, 1986, in one of the largest bankruptcies in US history at the time. This was a significant blow to the company.

Most of the vessels were sold to pay creditors, and the company was formally liquidated by 1992. The reorganization plan was filed on July 5, 1988.

The 1920s was a pivotal time for United States Lines, marked by the operation of seized German liners and the introduction of new ships to the fleet.

United States Lines was the trade name of the United States Shipping Board's Emergency Fleet Corporation, created to operate the seized German liners.

By 1925, the corporation operated ex-German liners Leviathan, George Washington, America, Republic, and the USSB-built ships President Roosevelt and President Harding between New York and Europe.

The line began operating from piers 3 and 4 at the USSB's Hoboken Terminal in 1921, which had been the Hamburg America Line facilities in Hoboken, New Jersey.

The USSB engaged in advertising of the line and its ships through agencies using a "coupon" system to collect names and addresses of interested persons for direct mailings.

All the line's funds were managed by the USSB Treasurer.

The line started with three ships from the tonnage of the failed United States Mail Steamship Company.

One of the founders was Kermit Roosevelt, son of US President Theodore Roosevelt.

Two of the ships, America and George Washington, were originally German vessels that had been seized during World War I and kept as reparations.

Both America and George Washington made New York–Bremen runs, while Centennial State ran from New York to London.

The line became well known in the 1920s for two historic rescues made using their ships President Roosevelt in 1926 and America in 1929 by Captain George Fried.

More ships were acquired in 1922 and renamed after US presidents.

The 52,000-ton Leviathan, formerly Vaterland and one of the largest liners in the world, was acquired in 1923.

Throughout the 1920s, the line accumulated debt.

The line was sold to P.W. Chapman Company in March 1929 and reorganized as "United States Lines Inc." of Delaware.

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The United States Lines (USL) was a significant American shipping company that operated from 1921 to 1989. It played a pivotal role in immigration, luxury travel, and maritime innovation.

The company was known for its iconic ships, such as the SS United States and the SS Leviathan, which were among the largest and most luxurious in the world. The SS Leviathan, for example, held the title of the World's Largest Passenger Ship until the launch of the Queen Mary in 1934.

USL's ships were not only impressive in size but also in speed. The SS United States, for instance, holds the title of the Fastest Passenger Ship in history on the Transatlantic Route, with a speed of 38.32 Knots. This made it a favorite among luxury travelers, including celebrities and royalty.

The company's flagship, the SS United States, offered a range of amenities, including an observation lounge, ballroom, cocktail bar, grill restaurant, and smoking room. First class passengers could enjoy all the pleasures of a fashionable resort, with days of fun and leisurely living preparing them for an adventure to come.

Here's a breakdown of the SS United States' amenities by class:

The SS United States was not only a luxurious ship but also an iconic one, with many famous passengers, including Presidents and Mmes Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy, and celebrities like Walt Disney and Marilyn Monroe.

During World War II, the ships of United States Lines were converted into troopships, with Manhattan becoming USS Wakefield, Washington becoming USS Mount Vernon, and the flagship America becoming USS West Point.

This significant shift in operations had a lasting impact on the company. The ships played a crucial role in transporting troops and supplies during the war.

In the aftermath of the war, United States Lines began to build smaller and cheaper ships, which were operated alongside a number of cargo ships. These cargo ships were all named beginning with "American" or "Pioneer".

The SS President Roosevelt was a ship that played a significant role in the pre-war era. It had two notable passenger lists, one from 1935 and another from 1938.

Captain John F. Jensen was in command of the ship for the 1935 passenger list. He was a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

The ship's route changed over time, with the 1938 passenger list showing a route from Hamburg to New York via several stops.

The 1940s was a transformative decade for United States Lines. In 1940, the company absorbed the Roosevelt Line, becoming the sole operating business of Roosevelt International Mercantile Marine.

The name change came in 1942, when Roosevelt International Mercantile Marine Company was renamed to "United States Lines Inc.", reflecting its new focus.

The US entered World War II, and the ships were converted into troopships. Manhattan became USS Wakefield, and Washington became USS Mount Vernon.

The flagship America was renamed USS West Point.

Sadly, after 24 years of exemplary service, her long career under the United States flag was about to come to an end.

Air travel having become more and more popular was one of the factors that led to her decline.

The other factor was the never-ending labour disputes that were destroying passenger shipping on both sides of the Atlantic.

The S.S. America had a smooth commercial career until September 1963, when union strikes and industrial action hit the ship hard.

The union's actions forced the ship into a five-month layup, a significant setback for the ship and its crew. This layup lasted until February 7, 1964, when the S.S. America finally departed for Southampton.

Despite strong winds on departure, Captain Fender took the ship out without assistance from tugs, as there were none available.

USL luncheon menus are a staple of the company's financial operations, with a focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The average cost of a USL luncheon menu item is around $6.50, with the most expensive item being the "Executive's Delight" at $8.95.

USL luncheon menus are designed to be simple and easy to execute, with a limited number of options to reduce waste and save resources.

The most popular item on the USL luncheon menu is the "Classic Club Sandwich", which is made with fresh ingredients and is a crowd-pleaser.

USL luncheon menus are also designed to be adaptable to different dietary needs and preferences, with options such as vegetarian and gluten-free choices.

The "USL Luncheon Menu" is typically served on Fridays, with a special "Friday Feature" item that changes seasonally.

USL luncheon menus have been a key factor in the company's ability to keep costs low and morale high, with employees raving about the quality and variety of the food.

The S.S. America had a smooth commercial career until September 1963, when union strikes and industrial action hit the ship hard.

The ship was even involved in a racial discrimination claim by some of its workers, which led to a five-month layup from September 1963 to February 7, 1964.

This layup was a result of a union-led industrial action that was unrelated to the ship itself, but still had a significant impact on its operations.

Captain Fender decided to take a bold move and depart from New York without any assistance from tugs, despite strong winds on the day, and the ship moved slowly but successfully from its pier.

The S.S. America's ability to depart on time without tugs was a testament to its strength and maneuverability.

The United States Lines' legacy is a testament to its rich history. Founded in 1927, the company played a significant role in the development of the American shipping industry.

The SS United States, a legendary ocean liner, was launched in 1952 and quickly became a symbol of American ingenuity and luxury. It was the largest ship in the world at the time, measuring 963 feet in length.

The SS United States held the Blue Riband, a prestigious award for the fastest transatlantic crossing, from 1952 to 1958. This achievement cemented the ship's place in maritime history.

The United States Lines operated a fleet of ships that connected the United States to Europe and other parts of the world. Their routes included popular destinations like Southampton, England, and Le Havre, France.