It is interesting to note that the USA was never a dominant player on the transatlantic scene, especially as many - if not most - voyages started or ended here. One factor behind this was the prohibition of alcohol, which extended to American ships. However, the USA did have some significant ships on the Atlantic, especially towards the end of the liner age.
- American Export Line
- American President Line
- Hawaiian Steamship Co (link)
- Los Angeles Steamship Co
- Matson Line
- Moore McCormack (Coming Soon)
- United States Lines (1921 - 1969)
American
Export LineS/S Consitution & Independence
Launched
in 1950, these handsome twin ships were a mainstay of American Export's
services from New York to the Mediterranean. Built in Massachusetts
by Bethlehem Steel, they were 23,719 GRT and 682 feet long. They carried
1,000 passengers in three classes.
They sailed with American Export until 1968, when they were laid up. In 1974 Independence was sold to C. Y. Tung, who - after a variety of efforts - began sailing her under the American Hawaii Cruises brand in 1980 with 750 passengers in a single class. In 1982, Constitution joined her in this service.
This successful two-ship operation continued until 1996, when Constitution was laid up. She was subsequently sold for scrap, but sank in the Pacific whilst under tow the following year.
Independence continued in Hawaii service, joined in 2001 by the former Nieuw Amsterdam as the Patriot (see United States Lines 2001), but the line's parent, American Classic Voyages, went bankrupt shortly after September 11th, 2001. Independence was laid up in San Francisco, and was subsequently sold to Norwegian Cruise Lines, who are holding her as optional tonnage for their "NCL America" brand.
Independence in her last livery with American Hawaii Cruises, photos courtesy of Ben Lyons
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Maritime Matters: American Export Lines
- Tribute page for the Constitution
- Maritime Matters: Independence
- Maritime Matters: Alan Zamchick's memory of being aboard Constitution during Hurricane Faith
American
President Lines
A logo that you are likely to see on the side of a freight container once graced the houseflag of the American President Lines. The company, now a subsidiary of an Asian concern, continues to carry freight around the world.
The President Coolidge.
This and literally hundreds of other high-quality prints are available
at www.kinshipsprints.com.
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The APL History Page on the company's site features a QuickTime movie of the company's 150 years of history, including mentions of the Dollar Line and the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. There is also a time line which describes the company's operations, from 1848 until now, in detail. This page discusses the line's passenger operation in depth.
Los
Angeles Steamship CompanyFounded in the 1920's to compete with Matson's service out of San Francisco, LASSCO's first two ships had the unlikely names of Yale and Harvard, which reflects their heritage as overnight steamers between New York and Boston. LASSCO operated them between San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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The Grosser Kurfurst which
later became the City of Los Angeles. This and
literally hundreds of other high-quality prints are available
at www.kinshipsprints.com.
|
LASSCO is currently the subject of an exhibit
at the |
As the company grew, new tonnage was added, including the former Norddeutscher Lloyd liners Grosser Kurfurst, which became the City of Los Angeles; and Freiderich der Grosse which became the City of Honolulu in 1921, and were placed in Hawaii service. However, the Honolulu caught fire on the return leg of her maiden voyage and was subsequently sunk.
Matson Navigation Co.
The Matson Navigation Co. can trace its history to 1887, when the Swedish-born Captain William Matson purchased the 150-foot brigantine named Lurline from his employer, J.D. Spreckels and Brothers. She carried 600 tons of sugar and 12 passengers between Hawaii and the mainland until 1896 when she was sold.
A steamship, also named Lurline, was built for Matson at Newport News in 1908. This ship could carry 64 passengers. She served in WW1 and continued with Matson until 1928 when she was sold. She operated in various guises until she was scrapped in 1953.
Meanwhile, her success prompted the construction of the 110-passenger Wilhelmina in 1910 and the Maolo in 1927. The trade continued to boom and Matson built more ships and its own hotels in the islands.
The most famous Lurline was conceived by William Francis Gibbs and launched by Bethlehem Steel at Quincy, Mass., in 1932. Displacing 26,000 tons, she carried 722 passengers and a crew of 425. She was later joined by the identical Matsonia (later renamed Monterey).
Souvenir Photo Matsonia/Lurline
Pearl Harbor changed everything for Matson and the ships were all pressed into service. At one point the Lurline had 4,244 troops on board at once! She survived the war and returned to service in 1948 after a two-year, multimillion dollar refurbishment.
On July 24th, 1959, my aunt Bertha and uncle Ziggy sailed from Los Angeles aboard the Lurline. They spent a week in the islands and sailed for home on August 3rd aboard the Matsonia.
Uncle Ziggy & Aunt Bertha aboard a Matson ship in 1959
The hotel chain was sold to Sheraton in 1959. They stayed at the Princess Kaiulani hotel, where at that time you could have complete pancake breakfast for $1.00 (.50 extra for room service).
Matson Passenger List
The Lurline was sold to Chandris in 1963, becoming their Ellenis. She sailed with them until 1980, when she was laid up in Greece and later scrapped.
The Matsonia took on her sister's more famous name and closed out Matson passenger service in 1970. She too was sold to Chandris, becoming the Britanis. She operated until 1986, when she was laid up in Tampa. There was an exciting plan to make her a period hotel in San Francisco, but sadly this never came to pass. She was sold for scrap in 2000 and sank off Cape Town whilst under tow.