S.S. LEVITAHAN, VATERLAND

S.S.LEVIATHAN postcard (Martin Cox Collection)

Built Blohm & Voss Hamburg, 1913 as VATERLAND
54,282 GRT
948 x 100 feet
Quadruple screw, 24 knots, turbines
752 first class, 535 second class, 850 third class, 1,772 passengers; 1,243 crew

Launched April 3, 1913. When she was completed in Aril 1914 she was the largest ship in the world. Maiden voyage May 14, 1914 Cuxhaven Ð New York. In August, interned at New York. On April 4 1917 seized by US after crew had inflicted considerable damage to boilers and engines. She was repaired and transferred for Navy Transport service. September 6, 1917 renamed LEVIATHAN. Laid up in New York and handed over to US Shipping Board September 1919.

In February 1922 she sailed to Newport News for reconstruction as passenger liner and remeasured at 59,956 GRT, at trails she made over 27 knots. The new passenger arrangement was 970 first class, 542 second, 944 third and 935 fourth. This was later changed to 940 first, 666 tourist and 1,402 third. Handed over to United States Lines she sailed on her first voyage New York Ð Southampton July 4th, 1923. She became flag ship for United States Lines, and continued in transaltantic service.

In 1931, to save on harbour dues paid on vessel size, she was remeasured again and her GRT reduced to 48,932. Laid up in 1932 but put back in service for four more voyages to Southampton but with heavy financial losses she was again laid up at New York.
In December 1937 she was sold for demolition and sailed for Rosyth on January 26, 1938 arriving February 14.

United States Lines page