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A. H. Bull Steamship Company was a
shipping company A shipping line or shipping company is a company whose line of business is ownership and operation of ships. Shipping companies provide a method of distinguishing ships by different kinds of cargo: # Bulk cargo is a type of special cargo that is ...
and
passenger liner A passenger ship is a merchant ship whose primary function is to carry passengers on the sea. The category does not include cargo vessels which have accommodations for limited numbers of passengers, such as the ubiquitous twelve-passenger freig ...
service founded in
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
in 1902 by Archibald H. Bull (1848–1920). Service started with shipping between New York and Florida. His fleet of ships then added service to other Eastcoast ports. The company is also often called the Bull Lines and the Bull Steamship Line or A. H. Bull & Company. While founded in New York, Bull soon move its headquarter to Peir 5 in
Baltimore Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...
,
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...
. Bull Lines main Eastcoast ports were: Baltimore, Charleston,
Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...
,
Tampa Tampa ( ) is a city on the Gulf Coast of the United States, Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. Tampa's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and t ...
and
Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. It had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of cities in Virginia, third-most populous city ...
. Oversea ports: Porto Rico, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Hamburg, Bremen, Copenhagen, and West Africa. Bull Steamship Line supported the US war effort for both
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
and
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, including the loss of ships.


Archibald H. Bull

Archibald Hilton Bull (1847–1920) started in the shipping business at a very young age, he worked his way from an
errand boy A courier is a person or organization that delivers a message, package or letter from one place or person to another place or person. Typically, a courier provides their courier service on a commercial contract basis; however, some couriers are ...
to be on the
board of directors A board of directors is a governing body that supervises the activities of a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government agency. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of a board of directors are determined by government regulatio ...
and presider of companies. In 1885 Archibald H. Bull founded the British-flagged
New York and Porto Rico Steamship Company Agwilines Inc was a passenger and cargo shipping company of New York City. Agwilines is short for Atlantic, Gulf & West Indies Steamship Inc. AGWI Lines group operated four main lines in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s: *Ward Line *Clyde Steamship Co ...
, which operated the
Porto Rico Line Agwilines Inc was a passenger and cargo shipping company of New York City. Agwilines is short for Atlantic, Gulf & West Indies Steamship Inc. AGWI Lines group operated four main lines in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s: * Ward Line * Clyde line * Ma ...
. He ran the firm as a British-flagged ship, as he found the operating cost much lower than US-flagged shipping. In 1895 Bull entered into a partnership with Juan Ceballos. The Porto Rico Line lines ran from New York to Red Hook's Atlantic Basin's Pier 35 to Puerto Rico. The Porto Rico Line was a cargo and tourists line, also Puerto Ricans migrated to New York's
Red Hook, Brooklyn Red Hook is a neighborhood in western Brooklyn, New York City, United States, within the area once known as South Brooklyn. It is located on a peninsula projecting into the Upper New York Bay and is bounded by the Gowanus Expressway and the Ca ...
on the line. The Porto Rico Line was Bull's second company serving Porto Rico, his first company was started in 1873, using a small fleet of sailing packets boats. In 1900, his share in the company was bought by his partners in a
hostile takeover In business, a takeover is the purchase of one company (law), company (the ''target'') by another (the ''acquirer'' or ''bidder''). In the UK, the term refers to the acquisition of a public company whose shares are publicly listed, in contrast t ...
. Has part of the agreement Bull had to agree not to run steamers to Puerto Rico for 10 years, till 1910. In 1902 Archibald H. Bull founded the A. H. Bull Steamship Company. Bull Steamship's next family President was Bull's son Ernest Miller Bull (1875–1943) in 1920. The next family President was Edward Mryon Bull (1904–1953) in 1942, third generation. He took the reins of the company after practicing as a maritime lawyer. In 1956 the company was sold to the American Coal Shipping Company. In 1961 American Coal sold the Bull Line to a Greek company that went into
bankruptcy Bankruptcy is a legal process through which people or other entities who cannot repay debts to creditors may seek relief from some or all of their debts. In most jurisdictions, bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the deb ...
in 1964. Heir apparent, Edward M. Bull, Jr., left the East Coast, and practiced as a maritime lawyer for a time in San Francisco. His son, Edward M. Bull III, continued in the maritime industry, also a practicing maritime lawyer.


Bull Lines

In 1885 Bull acquired his first ship, the SS Eva, a 4,750 dwt, cargo ship, with a British crew of 24. Starting in 1902 Bull chartered foreign ships for foreign shipping to remain profitable. In 1909 he added to his fleet SS , a collier, with a German crew of 31. ''Jean'' was taken over by the
United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
in 1917 for
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
service, and returned in 1919. Bull sold the ''Jean'' in 1926 and the new owner renamed her SS ''Margarita Calafati''. When the United States entered the
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
in 1917, the US had Bull Lines operate fifteen ships. Some of the ships were built by the
United States Shipping Board The United States Shipping Board (USSB) was a corporation established as an emergency agency by the 1916 Shipping Act (39 Stat. 729), on September 7, 1916. The United States Shipping Board's task was to increase the number of US ships supporting ...
and others acquired. SS ''Evelyn'' (1), a 1912 Bull passenger and freight was taken over by the US Navy in 1917 and returned to Bull in 1919. At the end of World War I were surplus cargo ships, some of which were assigned to Bull. At the end of World War I Bull started service to the eastern
Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea ( ) is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the east by the Levant in West Asia, on the north by Anatolia in West Asia and Southern ...
and the
Black Sea The Black Sea is a marginal sea, marginal Mediterranean sea (oceanography), mediterranean sea lying between Europe and Asia, east of the Balkans, south of the East European Plain, west of the Caucasus, and north of Anatolia. It is bound ...
and to the
Azores The Azores ( , , ; , ), officially the Autonomous Region of the Azores (), is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal (along with Madeira). It is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the Macaronesia region of the North Atl ...
,
Canary Islands The Canary Islands (; ) or Canaries are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and the southernmost Autonomous communities of Spain, Autonomous Community of Spain. They are located in the northwest of Africa, with the closest point to the cont ...
, and
West Africa West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations geoscheme for Africa#Western Africa, United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Gha ...
till 1924. In 1924 new service was added to
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
and
East Africa East Africa, also known as Eastern Africa or the East of Africa, is a region at the eastern edge of the Africa, African continent, distinguished by its unique geographical, historical, and cultural landscape. Defined in varying scopes, the regi ...
till 1927. In 1927 service moved to the US Atlantic coastal ports and the
West Indies The West Indies is an island subregion of the Americas, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which comprises 13 independent island country, island countries and 19 dependent territory, dependencies in thr ...
. In 1923, Bull's first passenger ship was a converted 2,286-ton
lake freighter Lake freighters, or lakers, are bulk carriers operating on the Great Lakes of North America. These vessels are traditionally called boats, although classified as ships. Freighters typically have a long, narrow hull, a raised pilothouse, and the ...
cargo ship the SS ''Catherine''. The ''Catherine'' offered overnight service between
San Juan San Juan, Spanish for Saint John (disambiguation), Saint John, most commonly refers to: * San Juan, Puerto Rico * San Juan, Argentina * San Juan, Metro Manila, a highly urbanized city in the Philippines San Juan may also refer to: Places Arge ...
and Saint Thomas in the
Virgin Islands The Virgin Islands () are an archipelago between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Caribbean Sea, geographically forming part of the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, Caribbean islands or West Indie ...
. For
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
the ''Catherine '' was taken over by the UN Navy as . In 1925, Bull bought SS ''Brazos''. ''Brazos'' was built by Newport News Shipbuilding Co.,
Newport News, Virginia Newport News () is an Independent city (United States), independent city in southeastern Virginia, United States. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 186,247. Located in the Hampton Roads region, it is the List of c ...
, in 1907, she displaced 6,576 gross tons, and was 401 feet long. In 1930 the Bull Line had the passenger ship, SS ''Barbara'' offer service between Baltimore and San Juan. The ''Catherine'' and ''Barbara'' were the only passenger ships in the fleet at that time. ''Barbara'' was bought from the Grace Line, formerly called SS ''Santa Cruz''. In 1934, two new cargo ships joined the Bull fleet. The two ships were a new type, built with resembled components, which greatly reduce the building time. The ships would be classified later for World War II construction as
type C4-class ship The Type C4-class ship were the largest cargo ships built by the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) during World War II. The design was originally developed for the American-Hawaiian Lines in 1941, but in late 1941 the plans were taken ...
s. The new ships were the SS ''Angelina'' and ''Manuela''. (Both were sunk by U-boats in 1942).


World War II

World War II ended all Bull passenger services. Bull ships were put into action to support the war effort. Three of Bull Lines ships were taken over by the US government. Bull Lines was active with charter shipping with the
Maritime Commission The United States Maritime Commission was an independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government that was created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, which was passed by Congress on June 29, 1936, and was abolished on May 24, 1950. The c ...
and
War Shipping Administration The War Shipping Administration (WSA) was a World War II emergency war agency of the US government, tasked to purchase and operate the civilian shipping tonnage the United States needed for fighting the war. Both shipbuilding under the Maritime C ...
. During wartime, the Bull Lines operated
Victory ship The Victory ship was a class of cargo ship produced in large numbers by American shipyards during World War II. They were a more modern design compared to the earlier Liberty ship, were slightly larger and had more powerful steam turbine engin ...
s and
Liberty ships Liberty ships were a class of cargo ship built in the United States during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding Program. Although British in concept, the design was adopted by the United States for its simple, low-cost construction. ...
. The ship was run by its Bull Line crew and the
US Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
supplied
United States Navy Armed Guard The United States Navy Armed Guard was a force of United States Navy gunners and related personnel established during World War II to protect U.S. merchant shipping from enemy attack.World War II U.S. Navy Armed Guard and World War II U.S. Merc ...
s to man the deck guns and radio. The most common armament mounted on these merchant ships were the MK II 20mm Oerlikon autocannon and the 3"/50, 4"/50, and 5"/38 deck guns. Of the ships operated by the Bull Lines 19 ships were lost to German U-boats, beginning with SS ''Major Wheeler'' with all hands (35) on February 6, 1942. Bull Lines had lost 14 ships to U-boats by the end of the summer of 1942, and lost its last ship, SS ''Delisle'' in October 1943. More than 275 crew were lost during the war aboard Bull Line ships. .World War II U.S. Navy Armed Guard and World War II U.S. Merchant Marine, 2007-2014 Project Liberty Ship, Project Liberty Ship, P.O. Box 25846 Highlandtown Station, Baltimore, M

/ref>


After World War II

At the war's end in 1945, Bull Line had 19 ships in her fleet. By 1947 there were many surplus cargo ships up for sale at low cost. Bull line bought three Liberty ships operating as Collier (ship), colliers the: SS ''Powellton Seam'', SS ''Chilton Seam'' and the SS ''Freeport Seam''. Bull renamed the ships: SS ''Evelyn'' (2), SS ''Mae'' and SS ''Edith''. Bull line bought five Liberty dry cargo ships in 1948 and five cargo-
reefer ship A reefer ship is a refrigerated cargo ship typically used to transport perishable cargo, which require air conditioning, temperature-controlled handling, such as fruits, meat, vegetables, dairy products, and similar items. Description ''Types ...
of the type C2 the: SS ''Wheatland'', SS ''Golden Fleece'', SS ''Sweepstakes'', SS ''Duplin'', and SS ''Woodford''. The ships were put into service on the Puerto Rico routes. In 1949 Bull bought the passenger ship, SS ''Borinquen'' from the Porto Rico Line. Bull had her refurbished and renamed the SS ''Puerto Rico''. The ''Puerto Rico'' was put on the New York City to San Juan - Dominica Republic route. The route turned out not to be profitable, due to airline competition, and in 1953 the ''Puerto Rico'' was removed from service and to the Arosa Line (Compañia Internacional Transportadora) as SS ''Arosa Star'' in 1954. This ended the Bull Lines passenger services. In 1949 other surplus cargo ships were bought: type C2 SS ''Agwicomet''(was Carrier Dove) and the ss Cinch Knot a C1-M-AV1 ship. In 1951 Bull bought another two dry cargo Liberty ships. In Bull Line bought two more type C2 ship from the New York & Cuba Mail SS Co. in 1954. In late 1950s came the more cost-effective loading and unloading system,
container ship A container ship (also called boxship or spelled containership) is a cargo ship that carries all of its load in truck-size intermodal containers, in a technique called containerization. Container ships are a common means of commercial intermodal ...
ping. The vast Bull Line fleet, now aged and on an obsolete system, put the company in decline. So, in 1956 Archibald H. Bull's heirs sold the Bull fleet of ships to the American Coal & Shipping Inc. In 1961 most of the fleet was sold to Kulukundis Maritime Industries Inc. of New York, owned by Greek Manuel K. Kulukundis. Kulukundis bought other ships, but by 1965 Kulukundis was bankrupt and the fleet was sold off one ship at a time.


Subsidiary Companies

Over the 54 years of operations, the A. H. Bull Steamship Company acquired a number of other shipping companies:


Adams & Co.

D. Adams & Co, also called Adams & Company was a subsidiary of the Bull Lines, when Captain Duke Adams became the manager of the Bull's Baltimore office, Adams renamed the company in the early 1920s. In 1925 Adams also became the leader of the Baltimore Insular Line in Baltimore. The name changed back when Adams stepped down.


Puerto Rico-American steamship Company

Puerto Rico-American steamship Company was bought in June 1925 by Bull Lines. Puerto Rico-American steamship Company was run by John Light. After purchase Light moved to the Baltimore Insular Line New York office. The Puerto Rico-American steamship Company was founded by J. B. Wright. Some accused Bull Lines of unfair competition, for buying up all the completion to
Puerto Rico ; abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a Government of Puerto Rico, self-governing Caribbean Geography of Puerto Rico, archipelago and island organized as an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territo ...
. Bull ran lines from Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Norfolk, Virginia to Puerto Rico. Later the ports of Charleston,
Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...
, and
Savannah, Georgia Savannah ( ) is the oldest city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia and the county seat of Chatham County, Georgia, Chatham County. Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, the city of Savannah became the Kingdom of Great Brita ...
were added. The line serviced the growing
sugar industry The sugar industry subsumes the production, Sugar refinery, processing and marketing of sugars (mostly sucrose and fructose). Globally, about 80% of sugar is extracted from sugar cane, grown predominantly in the tropics, and 20% from sugar beet, ...
there. By 1930 Bull was operating most of the sugar cargo out of Puerto Rico


Baltimore Carolina line

Bull bought the small Baltimore Carolina line, also called the Weems Line from the Baltimore & Carolina Steamship Company in 1929 and it became a subsidiary of Bull. Baltimore Carolina line served the ports of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Miami with two ships the: SS ''Esther Weems'' and SS ''Mary Weems''. Weems Line other shipers were the: ''William F Romer'' (1890–1916), ''Lancaster'' (1924–1928). Captain George Weems (?-n 1874)started the line (also called the Weems Steamboat Company) in 1817 with the steamboat ''Surprise'', then the steamboat Eagle (had boiler explosion in 1824), and then ''Patuxent''. Weems son's became Captains: George Weems, Jr. Mason L. Weems; and Theodore Weems. More ships were added ''George Weems'' 1858 (fire 1871), ''Theodore Weems'' 1872, ''L. Weems'' 1881, ''Matilda'', ''Wenonah'', ''Essex'', ''Potomac, Ann Arundel, Calvert, Westmoreland, Caroline'' and ''St. Mary's'' (fire 1907). Weems Line was sold to M.D. & V. in 1905.


Clyde-Mallory Line

Clyde-Mallory Line was bought in 1934 by the Bull Lines. The Clyde-Mallory Line was formed when the Mallory Line merged with
Clyde Line Clyde Steamship Company was a steamship transportation company connecting New York City to Florida as well as routes to Boston and Providence, Cuba, New Orleans, and various Keys. William P. Clyde organized the company in 1874 and acquired variou ...
. The Clyde-Mallory Line was closed and the fleet became part of the Bull fleet. Clyde-Mallory Lines main ports were: Jacksonville, New York, Miami, Boston, Wilmington, Charleston, Key West, Galveston, Tampa, New Orleans and Mobile.


Baltimore Insular Line

Baltimore Insular Line and Bull Insular were subsidiary of A. H. Bull & Company. A. H. Bull bought the Insular Line in 1914 and renamed it the Baltimore Insular Line. The Insular Line was founded in 1904 with both freight and passenger service. Insular Line was operating with the ship, SS Elizabeth, from A. H. Bull old company. The line was also called the Bull Insular Line with service between Baltimore, New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Baltimore Insular Line was Bull Lines passenger operation, with homeport at Baltimore Pier 5 with service to St. Thomas and San Juan. Bull Insular Line operated the ships: ''Carolyn, Delfina, Delisle, Governor John Lind, Major Wheeler and Marina (1)''. Only the ''Marina'' (1), ''Carolyn'' and ''Governor John Lind'' survived World War II, the three others were sunk by
U-Boat U-boats are Submarine#Military, naval submarines operated by Germany, including during the World War I, First and Second World Wars. The term is an Anglicization#Loanwords, anglicized form of the German word , a shortening of (), though the G ...
s. During World War II Pier 5 was damaged by German torpedoes.


Ericsson Line

Ericsson Line was subsidiary of A. H. Bull & Company starting in 1931. The line was started by the Baltimore and Philadelphia Steamboat Company, founded on February 23, 1844. The ships on the line had narrow propeller ships, rather than the wider steam paddle ships of the time. Erricson Line had passenger and freight daily service between Philadelphia and Baltimore, via the
Chesapeake & Delaware Canal The Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C&D Canal) is a -long, -wide and -deep ship canal that connects the Delaware River with the Chesapeake Bay in the states of Delaware and Maryland in the United States. In the mid-17th century, mapmaker Augus ...
from 1926 to 1936. The line had stops in Cecil County: Reybold's Wharf, Town Point and
Chesapeake City Chesapeake City is a town in Cecil County, Maryland, United States. The population was 736 at the 2020 census. The town was originally named by Bohemian colonist Augustine Herman the Village of Bohemia — or Bohemia Manor — but the name wa ...
. The company had run cargo ship starting in 1829 and added passenger boats in 1838, then incorporated in 1844. The line was named after
John Ericsson John Ericsson (born Johan Ericsson; July 31, 1803 – March 8, 1889) was a Swedish-American engineer and inventor. He was active in England and the United States. Ericsson collaborated on the design of the railroad steam locomotive Novelty (lo ...
(1803-1889), the Swedish-American inventor of the screw
propeller A propeller (often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon a working flu ...
.


Ericsson Line Ships

*, built in 1926 *SS ''Ericsson'' *SS ''A. Groves'' *SS ''Jr. Penn'' *SS ''Lord Baltimore'' *SS ''Carmania''


Blue Lines ships

Blue Lines ships: *''Angelina'', built in 1934 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Newport News, was sunk by torpedo by ''U-618'' on 17 October 1942. *''Angelina'' (2), built in 1943 by Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyards Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, a Liberty type EC2-S-C1, bought in 1947. *''Ann Marie'', built in 1945 by Walter Butler Shipbuilding, Superior, was SS ''Cinch Knot'', a type C1-M-AV1, bought in 1949 from Ward Line. *''Arlyn'', built in 1919 by Pusey & Jones Co., Gloucester, New Jersey, was SS ''Castle Wood'', bought in 1925, torpedoed and damaged by ''U-165'' on 28 August 1942, then sank by ''U ''Arlyn'' (2), built in 1942 by Bethlehem, Baltimore, was , a Liberty ship bought in 1947. *''Barbara'' (1), built in 1918 by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Corp., Manitowoc, Wisconsin, was SS Lake Winthrop, bought in 1925, also was SS ''Norna'', sank 16 September 1931 off Grimma LH, S Rorvik. *''Barbara'' (2), built in 1913 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, was SS ''Santa Cruz'', bought in 1930 from Grace Line. Sunk on 7 March 1942 by ''U-126''. *Beatrice (1), built in 1917 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrow's Point, Maryland, sunk on 24 May 1942 by ''U-558''. * ''Beatrice'' (2), built in 1944 by North Carolina Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, Del., was , a type C2-S-AJ3 ship, bought 1946. was also sold SS ''Bangor'', SS ''Grand Loyalty''. *''Betty'', built in 1918 by Superior Shipbuilding, was SS ''Lake Agomac'', bought 1931 from Baltimore & Carolina S.S.Co., sank 14 August 1940 by ''U-59'' near Tory Island. *''Carolyn'' (1), built in 1899 by Turnbull & Sons, Whitby, was SS ''Parkgate'', bought 1904 from Turnbull, Scott & Co., London, sank 6 June 1916 off Gorodetskiy, LH. *USS Atik">''Carolyn'' (2) built in 1912 by Newport News Shipbuilding, to US Navy in 1942 and renamed Atik used as a Q ship, sank 26 March 1942 ''U-123''. *SS Richard Bassett, ''Carolyn'' (3), built in 1942 by Bethlehem, Baltimore, was , Liberty ship, bought 1947, *''Catherine'', built in 1918 by Manitowoc Shipbuilding Corp., Manitowoc, Wisconsin, was SS Lake Greenwood, to US Navy 1941 renamed SS Stratford. *''Clare'', built 1915 by Maryland Steel Co., Sparrow's Point, Maryland, sunk by ''U-103'' 20 May 1942 off Cuba. *''Cornelia'', built 1916 by Bethlehem Steel Maryland *''Dora'', built 1918 by American Shipbuilding Corp., Buffalo, was SS ''Lake Galera'', bought 1931 from Baltimore & Carolina S.S. Co., was also SS Sniafiocco, sank on 20 July 1940 by bomb at Tobruk harbour. *''Dorothy'' (1), built in 1898 by W. Gray & Co. Ltd, West Hartlepool, was SS ''Wilster'', bought 1902 from Trechmann S.S.Co. Ltd, sank 14 January 1923 off Puerto Plata. *''Dorothy'' (2), built in 1918, by Harlan & Hollingsworth, Wilmington, Delaware, was SS ''Biran'', bought 1924 from United Fruit Co, sank on 1 September 1929 in collision off Smith's Point, Chesapeake Bay. *''Dorothy'' (3), built in 1918 by Bethlehem, Maryland, was SS ''Cape Henry'', bought 1929, sank 1 September 1929 in collision off Smith's Point. *''Dorothy'' (4), built in 1943 by Bethlehem, Baltimore, was SS ''Henry L. Benning'', a Liberty ship, bought 1947, also SS ''Emma''. *''Dorothy'' (5), built in 1945 by Sun Shipbuilding, Penn., SS Marine Fox, type C4-S-B2 a troop transport, was also SS Mobile, SS Seattle, and SS Pittsburgh. *''Edith'' (1), built in 1898 by J.L. Thompson & Sons, Sunderland. Was SS ''Glenochil'', bought 1901 from J. Potter & Co., sank 30 August 1915 off Cape Hinchenbrook, Alaska. *''Edith'' (2), built in 1915 by Maryland Steel, 7 June 1942 by ''U-159''. *''Edith'' (3), 1945 built by Delta Shipbuilding Company, New Orleans, Louisiana, was ''Freeport Seam'', a collier, a Liberty EC2-S-AW1 ship, in 1946 was bought renamed ''Edith'', in 1963 scrapped at Hirao. 6,643 tons. *''Elizabeth'' (1), 1919, built by Bethlehem Steel Co., Wilmington. Was ''Macomet'', in 1922 bought renamed ''Elizabeth'', 4 November 1935 wrecked. 3,438 tons. *''Elizabeth'' (2), 1918, built by Standard Shipbuilding Corp., Shooter's Island, New York. Was ''Muscatine'', was ''Floridian'' in 1928, in 1936 bought from American Hawaiian Steam Ship Co. renamed ''Elizabeth'', 20 May 1942 sunk by torpedo and shellfire by ''U-103'' with the loss of 6 lives. 4,727 tons. *''Elizabeth'' (3), 1945, built by North Carolina Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, NC. Was ''Sweepstakes'', a C2-S-AJ1, in 1946 bought renamed ''Elizabeth'', 1963 sold renamed ''Adams'', in 1963 sold renamed ''Southport II'', in June 1969 scrapped at Kaohsiung. 8,191 tons. *''Ellenor'', 1920, built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, Delaware. Was ''Mason City'', in 1922 bought renamed ''Ellenor'', in 1946 sold renamed ''Marcella'', 21 March 1958 was wrecked off Nuevitas, in 1958 scrapped at Jacksonville. 3,483 tons. *''Emilia'' (1), 1918, built by Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrow's Point, Maryland. Launched as ''War Mercury'', but completed as ''Cape Romain'' in 1929 bought renamed ''Emilia'', in 1951 sold to Brasile Shipping Co., Honduras renamed ''Isabel'', in 1953 sold to Cia Comercial y Financiera Sudamericana, Panama renamed ''Rosalind'', in 1956 to Overseas Enterprise Inc., Panama, 3 February 1956 foundered in bad weather at 33.21N 27.50E. 4,719 tons *''Emilia'' (2), 1944, built by Moore Drydock Co., Oakland, California. Was ''Pampero'', standard ship type C2-S-B1, was ''Agwiking'' in 1947, was ''Siboney'' in 1950, was '' Plandome'' in 1954, in 1954 bought from New York & Cuba Mail SS Co. renamed ''Emilia'', in 1963 sold renamed ''Taddei Village'', 15 March 1964 grounded and scrapped. 8,191 tons. *USS Asterion (AK-100), ''Evelyn'' (1), 1912, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Newport News. In 1942 to US Navy renamed ''Asterion'' used as a Q ship, 1944 used as a weather ship, in 1946 scrapped. 3,140 tons. *''Evelyn'' (2), 1945, built by Delta Shipbuilding Company, New Orleans, Louisiana, was ''Powellton Seam'', a Collier, a Liberty EC2-S-AW1 ship, in 1946 bought renamed ''Evelyn'', in 1963 was scrapped at Hirao. 6,643 tons. *''Frances'' (1), 1919, built by McDougall Duluth, Duluth, was ''Chautauque'', was ''Frances Weems'' in 1925, in 1931 was bought from Baltimore & Carolina S.S.Co. Inc., Baltimore renamed ''Frances'', in 1940 sold to Bowater Pulp & Paper renamed ''North Brook'', in 1946 sold to West China Dev. Corp. renamed ''Pei Chuen'', 20 May 1948 wrecked on Chiengtieng Rocks, Nantung. 2,323 tons. *''Frances'' (2), 1944, built by North Carolina Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, NC. Was ''Golden Fleece'', a C2-S-AJ1 ship, in 1946 bought renamed ''Frances'', in 1964 sold to Marad renamed ''Delaware'', November 1968 scrapped at Portland. 8,191 tons. *''Georgeanna'', 1916, built by Harlan & Hollingworth Corp., Wilmington, Delaware. Was ''Georgeanne Weems'', 1929 bought from Baltimore & Carolina S.S. Co. Inc., Baltimore renamed ''Georgeanna'', in 1942 sold to United Fruit Co. Honduras flag renamed ''Georgeanna'', in 1951 scrapped. 2,089 tons. *''Helen'', 1916, built by Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrow's Point, Maryland. In 1951 scrapped at Bordentown. 3,129 tons. *USS Ice King (ID-3160), ''Hilton'' (1), 1912, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydocking Corp., Newport News. Was USS ''Ice King'', in 1935 sold renamed ''Hercules'' and converted into a barge, 1951 scrapped at Norfolk. 3,102 tons. *''Hilton'' (2), 1918, built by Standard Shipbuilding Corp., Shooter's Island, New York. Was ''Passaic'', but completed as ''Ice King'' was ''Georgian'' in 1928, 1936 bought from Strachan's Southern SS Co., Savannah. renamed ''Hilton'', in 1950 scrapped at Fieldsbro’ NJ. 4,741 tons. *''Hilton'' (3), 1944, built by Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyards Inc., Baltimore, Maryland. Was ''Morris Hillquit'', a Liberty EC2-S-C1 ship, in 1947 bought renamed ''Hilton'', in 1963 sold to Jayanti Shipping Co., Bombay & London, Indian flag renamed ''Govind Jayanti'', in 1966 scrapped at Hamburg. 7,191 tons. *''Ines'', 1946, built by Consolidated Steel Corp., Wilmington, California. Was ''Carrier Dove'' a C2-S-B1 ship, was ''Agwicomet'' in 1947, in 1949 bought from New York & Cuba Mail SS Co. renamed ''Ines'', in 1963 sold renamed ''Jackson'', in 1963 sold renamed Bonanza, 1964 sold renamed Express Virginia, in 1966 sustained bottom damage and laid up, in 1969 scrapped. 8,191 tons. *''Irene'', 1919, built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, Delaware. Was ''Bethnor'', in 1922 bought renamed ''Irene'', in 1939 sold to G. Hansen, Norway renamed ''Nidarholm''. 12 February 1940 sunk by torpedo by ''U-26''. 4,902 tons. *''Isobel'', 1919, built by McDougall Duluth, Duluth. Was ''Chappell'', was ''Isobel Weems'' in 1926, in 1931 bought from Baltimore & Carolina S.S. Co. Inc., Baltimore renamed ''Isobel'', in 1937 sold to Italo-Baltica renamed Lanital, in 1938 sold to G. d'Ali & Co. renamed ''Erice'', 14 May 1943 bombed and sunk at Civitavecchia. 2,323 tons *, 1909, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydocking Corp., Newport News. In 1926 sold to A. Calafatis renamed ''Margarita Calafati'', in 1927 sold to C.D. Calafatis renamed ''Gladstone'', in 1928 sold to M. Sandberg & Co. renamed ''Sports'', in 1941 seized by German forces, renamed ''Magdalena''. In 1947 returned to owners renamed ''Sports'', in 1954 scrapped at Dunstan. 3,126 tons. *''Jean'' (2), 1918, built by Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrow's Point, Maryland. Was launched as ''War Shark'' but completed as ''Cape Lookout'', was ''Koskiuszko'' in 1919, in 1929 bought from Polish American Navigation Corp., New York renamed ''Jean'', in 1954 scrapped at Baltimore. 4,902 tons *''Jean'' (3), 1944, built by Moore Drydock Co., Oakland, California. was ''Sovereign of the Seas'', a C2-S-B1, was ''Agwidale'' in 1948, was ''Oriente'' in 1950, was ''Short Hills'' in 1954, in 1955 bought from New York & Cuba Mail SS Co. renamed ''Jean'', in 1964 sold renamed ''Oceanic Tide'', in 1969 scrapped at Kaohsiung. 8,191 tons. *USS Duplin (AKA-87), ''Kathryn'', 1944, built by North Carolina Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, Del. Was , a C2-S-AJ3, in 1946 bought renamed ''Katryn'', in 1964 sold to E.J. Smith & Co. renamed ''Bangor'', in 1968 sold renamed ''Dearborn'', in 1963 sold to Oriental Exporters renamed ''Rio Grande'', in 1965 to Marad, In 1971 scrapped at Portland. 8,191 tons. *''Lillian'', 1922, built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, Delaware. Was ''Maddequet'', in 1922 bought renamed ''Lillian'', 27 February 1939 sunk after collision. 3,482 tons. *SS West Eldara, ''Mae'' (1), 1918, built by Skinner & Eddy Corp., Seattle. Was ''West Eldara'', in 1936 bought renamed ''Mae'', 17 September 1942 torpedoed, shelled and sunk by ''U-515'' with the loss of 1 life. 5,607 tons. *''Mae'' (2), 1945, built by Delta Shipbuilding Company, New Orleans, Louisiana. Was ''Chilton Seam'', a collier, a Liberty EC2-S-AW1, in 1946 bought renamed ''Mae'', in 1963 scrapped at Hirao. 6,643 tons. *''Manuela'', 1934, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Newport News. On 24 June 1942 torpedoed and damaged by''U-404'' while in convoy with the loss of 2 lives, on 25 June 1942 sank. 4,772 tons. *, 1916, built by Maryland Steel Co., Sparrow's Point, Maryland. On 15 April 1942 was sunk by torpedo by ''U-571'' off Cape Hatteras and lost with all hands. 3,352 tons. *''Marina'' (2), 1942, built by Pusey & Jones Co., Wilmington, Delaware. A C1-A, ON 16 January 1945 struck mine at Le Havre, was beached, refloated and scrapped at Philadelphia. 5,028 tons. *''Marina'' (3), 1942, built by Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards Inc., Baltimore, Maryland. Was ''Thaddeus Kosciuszko'', a Liberty EC2-S-C1, bought 1947, renamed ''Marina''. In 1954 sold to Isla Colon Cia. Nav., Panama renamed ''Acritas'', 10 March 1956 was grounded at Cape Verde Islands, refloated towed to Lubeck and repaired, in 1956 sold to Elias Cia. Mar., Panama renamed ''Elias'', in 1964 renamed ''Georges'', on 20 September 1962 grounded off North Russia at 69.52N 61.10E, broke up. 7,191 tons. *''Marjory'', 1919, built by Mc Dougall Duluth Shipbuilding Co., Duluth, Minnesota. Was ''Chamberino'', was ''Marjory Weems'' in 1928, in 1931 bought from Baltimore & Carolina S.S.Co Inc., Baltimore renamed ''Marjory'', 11 February 1952 was wrecked on Maasvlakte Bank, Hook of Holland and scrapped in Amsterdam. 2,323 tons. *, 1920, built by American International Shipbuilding Corp., Hog Island, Pennsylvania. Laid down as ''Cassimir'' but completed as ''Cody'', in 1925 taken over with Tampa Interocean Lines by Lykes, in 1933 transferred to Lykes Brothers Steamship Company, in 1939 bought renamed ''Mary'', on 3 March 1942 sunk by torpedo by ''U-129'' near Georgetown. 5,543 tons. *''Millinocket'', 1910, built by Maryland Steel Co., Sparrow's Point, Md. In 1919 chartered to Export Steamship Corp., on 18 June 1942 sunk by torpedo by ''U-129'' on voyage St. Thomas – Mobile with bauxite. 3,274 tons. *, 1919, built by the Submarine Boat Company of Newark, hit mine and sank, 30 June 1921. *Borinquen (1930), ''Puerto Rico'', 1931, built by Bethlehem SB Corp, Quincy Massachusetts. Was ''Boriquen'', in 1949 bought from
New York and Porto Rico Steamship Company Agwilines Inc was a passenger and cargo shipping company of New York City. Agwilines is short for Atlantic, Gulf & West Indies Steamship Inc. AGWI Lines group operated four main lines in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s: *Ward Line *Clyde Steamship Co ...
renamed ''Puerto Rico'', in 1954 sold to Arosa Line renamed ''Arosa Star'', in 1959 sold to Eastern Steamship Lines renamed ''Bahama Star'', in 1969 sold to Western Steamship Co. renamed ''La Jenelle'', on 13 April 1970 destroyed while under tow on her way to being converted into a floating hotel. 7,114 tons. *''Rosario'' (1), 1920, built by Bethlehem SB Corp, Wilmington, Del. Was ''Natirar'', in 1932 bought from American Scantic Line renamed ''Rosario'', 21 February 1943 sunk by torpedo by ''U-664'' in Atlantic. 4,659 tons. *''Rosario'' (2), 1942, built by Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyards Inc., Baltimore, Maryland. Was ''Tristram Dalton'', a Liberty EC2-S-C1, in 1947 bought renamed ''Rosario'', in 1954 sold to Isla Colon Cia.Nav., Panama, Liberian flag (Orion Shipping & Trading.Co., NY) renamed ''Achileus'', in 1957 renamed ''Andros Laurel'', in 1957 to Jackson SS Co., Liberian flag (Suwannee SS Co., Jacksonville, Florida), in 1963 sold to Faith Nav.Corp., Liberian flag (Sea King Corp, NY) renamed ''Grand Faith'', 1968 scrapped at Taiwan. 7,191 tons. *''Ruth'' (1), 1910, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Newport News. In 1930 sold to W.J. Myles renamed ''Meddo'', in 1933 scrapped at Philadelphia. 3,102 tons. *''Ruth'' (2), 1919, built by Todd Dry Dock & Construction Company, Seattle. Was ''Gaffney'', was ''Barreado'' in 1928, in 1940 bought renamed ''Ruth''. 29 June 1942 sunk by torpedo by ''U-153'' with the loss of 35 lives. 4,827 tons. *USS Woodford (AKA-86), ''Suzanne'', 1944, built by North Carolina Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, Del. Was , a C2-S-AJ3, in 1947 bought renamed ''Suzanne'', in 1965 sold renamed ''Rappahannock'', May 1973 scrapped at Kaohsiung. 8,191 tons. *, 1888, built by Wm Gray & Co. Ltd, West Hartlepool. Was ''New Borough'' built for C. Furness, West Hartlepool, was ''Pensacola'' in 1895, in 1906 bought renamed ''Wilhelmina'', 5 July 1916 sunk in collision Rio de Janeiro bay. 1,696 tons. *''John Smeaton'', sugar trade concrete ship. 4,690 tons.


Baltimore Insular Line Inc. ships

Baltimore Insular Line Inc. ships: *''Delfina'', 1919, built by Hanlon Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company, Oakland, California, 15 June 1942 was sunk by torpedo by ''U-172'' with the loss of 4 lives. 5,210 tons. *''Delisle'', 1919, built by Hanlon Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co., Oakland, California, 19 October 1943 was sunk by torpedo by ''U-220'' while in convoy WB 65. 5,210 tons. *''Governor John Lind'', 1918, built by Hanlon Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co., Oakland, California. In 1947 sold to G. Bozzo, Italy renamed ''Vittorin'', in 1954 sold to O. Jacomino renamed ''Concetta'', in 1956 sold to D.A. Ravano renamed ''Vallecrosia'', in 1958 sold renamed ''Theodoros A'', in 1960 sold to Seaforth Nav. Corp. renamed ''Macuto'', in 1960 scrapped at Laspezia. 3,431 tons. *''Major Wheeler'', 1918, built by Hanlon Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co., Oakland, California. 6 February 1942 sunk by torpedo by ''U-107'' east off Cape Hatteras and lost with all hands. 3,431 tons. *''Marina'' (1), 1887, built by Neafie & Leavy, Philadelphia. Was ''Josefita'' built for Menendez & Cia., Cienfuegos, was ''Dade'' in 1915, in 1917 was bought from CL Dimon renamed ''Marina'', in 1935 scrapped at Philadelphia. 1,114 tons.


World War II Merchant Marine

file:RedOakVictory-2013-07-20.jpg, A
Victory ship The Victory ship was a class of cargo ship produced in large numbers by American shipyards during World War II. They were a more modern design compared to the earlier Liberty ship, were slightly larger and had more powerful steam turbine engin ...
Ships operated by Bull Lines for World War II under the United States Merchant Marine. The ships were owned by the
War Shipping Administration The War Shipping Administration (WSA) was a World War II emergency war agency of the US government, tasked to purchase and operate the civilian shipping tonnage the United States needed for fighting the war. Both shipbuilding under the Maritime C ...
and operated by Bull Lines.


Victory ships

*''Hampden'' – ''Sydney Victory'' as troop transport. *''Madawaska Victory'' as troop transport. *''Albion Victory'' *''Vassar Victory'' *''Waycross Victory''


Liberty ships

* *''William S. Young'' *Barbara Frietchie * *''Jose Marti'' *''Joshua A. Leach'' *''Julius Olsen'' * *''Tristram Dalton'' *''Samuel J. Tilden'', sank in attack. *''Samuel Jordan Kirkwood'', sank in attack. *''Nathaniel Macon'' *''Nathaniel Macon'' *''Richard Bassett'', troop carrier * *''Rufus W. Peckham'' * *''Freeport Seam'', collier *''George Calvert'' (2) *''George Whitefield'' *''Powellton Seam'', collier *''Clifford E. Ashby'' *''Henry Lomb'' *''Ward Hunt'' *, sank in attack *''Louis Kossuth'' *''John Drayton'' *''John W. Gates'' *, sunk by , 10 killed * * * * * * * * * * *


Other

*''Chippewa'', later became USAT ''Chippewa'' *


American Coal Shipping Company

The American Coal Shipping Company was a joint enterprise formed in 1955, made up of three railroad companies, seven coal companies, and the United Mine Workers. The American Coal Shipping Company bought the Bull Lines in 1956. In 1957, the American Coal Shipping Company added to its fleet of ships by leasing 30 Liberty ships from the US Government. Headquarters was at 17 State Street, New York City and President was W.C. Brewer. The goal was to provide a worldwide coal sales and shipping network. Many saw the partnership of the union and a company as a Conflict of interest, conflicts of interest, as the union held 33% interest ($3.4 million) of the company, paid with union dues. John Sylvester Routh was the director of the company. The union membership status of the ship's seaman became a major issue for the union. American Coal Shipping Company had 45 ships at its peak but was not able to put all of them into operations due to union issues and court cases. In 1961 American Coal Shipping Company sold the Bull Lines to a Greek Company that closed in 1964.The Story of the Savannah: An Episode in Maritime Labor-management Relations, By David Kuechle


See also

*World War II United States Merchant Navy *Baltimore Steam Packet Company *Port of Baltimore


External links


Liberty Ships built by the United States Maritime Commission in World War II


References

{{Authority control Transport companies established in 1902 Defunct shipping companies of the United States 1923 establishments in New York (state) 1964 disestablishments in the United States Transport companies disestablished in 1964