Launched August 31, 1939. Delivered July 2, 1940 intended for Atlantic service but due to war in Europe used for cruising from US, first cruise New York - West Indies.

Taken over by US Navy as troop transport in 1941, renamed U.S.S. WESTPOINT. Discharged from Navy service July 22, 1946.

Renamed AMERICA, overhauled at builder to 26,314 GRT, 516 first, 371 cabin and 159 tourist passengers. First transatlantic voyage November 14, 1946 New York - Le Havre. Service extended to Bremerhaven in October, 1951. Remeasured to 33,961 GRT in 1960 with 516 first and 530 tourist passengers.

Bought in 1964 by Chandris Line. Renamed AUSTRALIS, registered in Piraeus and refitted as one class ship for 2,300 passengers. 26,485 GRT. August 20, 1965 first voyage Piraeus - Sydney. October 16 first voyage in round-the-world service Southampton - Mediterranean - Australia - New Zealand - Southampton. Remeasured to 26,315 GRT in 1968. November 18, 1977 last voyage from Southampton.

Bought by American Cruise Line, Panama, name changed to Venture Cruise Lines, arrived in New York May 19, 1978, renamed AMERICA. Refitted, 26,353 GRT first cruise July 30 to Marthas Vineyard, one month later Venture Cruises abandoned operations. AMERICA was returned to the Chandris group in August.

Renamed ITALIS, registered in Panama, refitted and forward funnel removed, cruising in Mediterranean 1979. Laid up in Piraeus in September.

Bought by Inter Commerce Corp, Panama, in May 1980, renamed NOGA, intended as an hotel ship, but remained laid up.

Registered under Silver Moon Ferries and renamed ALFERDOSS in 1984, continued layup at the same berth. Later towed to the center of the harbour and anchored remained there for ten. Severe list caused by burst bilge pipe, she was grounded to prevent sinking. After provisional repair she was anchored again awaiting scrap prices to improve.

In 1993 she was later sold and named AMERICAN STAR for use as a floating hotel at Phuket. Dry docked her propellers were removed and stored on her bow, she was then taken under tow by the Ukrainian tug NEFTEGAZ 67 for the journey to Thailand. On January 15, 1994, in rough weather the tow line parted with four salvage crew on board. Several attempts were made by NEFTEGAZ 67 and a Spanish tug PUNTA to get a line aboard but all proved unsuccessful. On January 17th 1994 the four stranded crewmen were rescued by helicopter, and hours later she went aground off the Canary Islands breaking in two sections two days later. She has remained in place to this day with the stern section now sunk but the bow section remaining up right as of Spring 2002.

United States Lines History

Or see Peter Knego's AMERICAN STAR history in the Vintage Ships list