The Fleets
Notes: This is not to be confused with the United States Line which is a completely separate company. All ships were chartered from the United States government.
The United States Mail Steamship Company was formed in 1920 by the US Shipping Board with mostly a fleet of seized ex-German passenger liners. The company made colossal operational losses and receivers were appointed to examine their accounts. As a result of their findings, the District Court ordered on 27th Aug.1921 that all United States Mail ships be returned to the US Shipping Board. Outsiders were appointed to manage the line under the title of United States Lines.(qv)
Many thanks to Ted Finch for his assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide.
Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| America | 1905 | ex- Amerika of Hamburg America Line, made 2 voyages, 1921 to United States Lines. | 22,621 |
| Antigone | 1900 | ex- Neckar of North German Lloyd, made 1 voyage as Antigone, renamed Potomac and made 2.5 voyages, 1921 to United States Lines. | 9,835 |
| Centennial State | 1920 | made two voyages, 1921 to United States Lines, 1922 renamed President Adams. | 10,533 |
| George Washington | 1908 | ex- North German Lloyd, one voyage, 1921 to United States Lines. | 23,788 |
| Hudson | see New Rochelle. | 9,699 | |
| New Rochelle | 1899 | ex- Hamburg of Hamburg America Line, ex-Powhatan (US Gov't), ex- New Rochelle (Baltic SS Corp.), made 1.5 voyages as New Rochelle, renamed Hudson and made 2.5 voyages, 1921 to United States Lines, 1922 renamed President Fillmore. | 9,699 |
| Old North State | 1920 | made 9 voyages, 1921 to United States Lines, 1922 renamed President Van Buren. | 10,533 |
| Panhandle State | 1920 | made 8 voyages, 1921 to United States Lines, 1922 renamed President Monroe. | 10,533 |
| Pocahontas | 1900 | 1900, ex- Prinzess Irene of North German Lloyd, renamed Pocahontas, made 2.5 voyages, 1922 sold to North German Lloyd, renamed Bremen. | 10,881 |
| Potomac | see Antigone. | ||
| Princess Matoika | 1900 | ex- Kiautschou of Hamburg America, ex- Princess Alice of North German Lloyd, renamed Princess Matoika, made 5 voyages, 1921 to United States Lines, 1922 renamed President Arthur. | 10,421 |
| Susquehanna | 1899 | ex- Rhein, North German Lloyd Line, renamed Susquehanna, made 6 voyages, 1922 to United States Lines. | 9,959 |