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USS Alaskan (ID-4542)
Encyclopedia
USS Alaskan (ID-4542) was a United States Navy
cargo ship
and troop transport in commission from 1918 to 1919.
, California
, by the Union Iron Works
as the commercial cargo ship SS Alaskan for the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company
, which employed her on the New York City
-to-San Francisco-to-Honolulu, Hawaii
, trade. Alaskan and her sister ship — which later served in the U.S. Navy as — represented, according to a contemporary account, the "most advanced practice in the construction of ocean-going freighters and ... a most important addition to the American merchant marine." Intended exclusively for carrying freight, Alaskan was designed as a very strong ship with a large stowage capacity.
Navy service, and assigned her the Naval Registry Identification Number
(Id. No.) 4542, but did not take control of her for several more months. On 12 March 1918, the United States Shipping Board
turned the ship over to the United States Department of War
as a cargo ship to be manned and operated by the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS) for the United States Army
on a bareboat charter
basis. The Navy took control of her that same day and commissioned
her on 23 March 1918 at Morse Dry Dock, Brooklyn, New York
, as USS Alaskan with Lieutenant Commander
Walter P. Hillman, USNRF, in command.
Alaskan departed Brooklyn for Hampton Roads
, Virginia
, on the afternoon of 24 March 1918. Anchoring in Hampton Roads in the predawn darkness of 26 March 1918, she moved shortly thereafter to the Norfolk and Western Pier
s, docking there at 12:28 hours. Over the ensuing days, she received more men and underwent repairs. Yard
work completed and her complement
brought up to full allowance, Alaskan shifted to Pier 5, U. S. Army Piers, Newport News
, Virginia
, on 13 April 1918 to take on cargo
.On 16 April 1918, she proceeded to sea and joined a France
-bound convoy
on 17 April 1918. She reached Brest
, France, on the afternoon of 2 May 1918, then weighed anchor
early on the morning of 3 May 1918 to proceed in a coastal convoy to St. Nazaire, France.
On 3 May 1918, during the voyage, one of the ships in the convoy, the American merchant ship SS Pearl F., attempted to cut between columns, veering across Alaskans bow. The accident resulted in Alaskans stem
being badly twisted to starboard, and plates attached to her stem either broke off or cracked, but she was still able to complete the voyage, anchoring at St. Nazaire that evening. However, due to crowded harbor
conditions, she did not begin discharging cargo until 6 May 1918.
On 13 May 1918, lookouts aboard Alaskan spotted a fire
breaking out on board U.S. Navy animal
transport USS Mexican (ID-1655)
, lying directly ahead of Alaskan in St. Nazaire harbor. Alaskan called away her fire and rescue
party, which aided Mexicans men in controlling the blaze before it did serious damage.
Alaskan remained in French waters into June 1918, first at St. Nazaire, completing the discharge of her cargo, before proceeding down the coast
, passing the He de Yeu on 7 June 1918 in a coastal convoy bound for the Gironde River, which she reached later that day. Getting underway on 10 June 1918 for the return voyage to the United States
, the ship brought her first voyage for NOTS to a close when she reached New York Harbor
late on 23 June 1918.
Alsakan underwent voyage repairs at Morse Drydock, Brooklyn, before moving to Bush Terminal
Pier No. 6 to take on cargo
, then began her second wartime voyage in naval service on 28 July 1918, again crossing the Atlantic Ocean
in a convoy. Carrying the vice commodore
of the convoy, Lieutenant Commander Isaiah F. Shurtleff, USNRF, Alaskan arrived at St. Nazaire on 12 August 1918, anchoring late on 13 August 1918. Among the cargo she discharged was oil
for the tanks at the United States Naval Aviation
Station, Le Croisic
, France. With a return cargo that included ordnance material, Alaskan got underway for the United States on the afternoon of 28 August 1918 and reached Hampton Roads on the afternoon of 13 September 1918.
For her third U.S. Navy voyage during the war, Alaskan cleared Hampton Roads on 29 September 1918 and joined a France-bound convoy on 30 September 1918, this time routed via Gibraltar
. Arriving at Gibraltar on 16 October 1918, Alaskan lingered there until 20 October 1918, when she began the last passage of her voyage. Two days out, at 11:37 hours on 22 October 1918, she collided with and sank a fishing boat. Fortunately, another boat "of similar character" fished the sunken boats men out of the sea.
Reaching Marseille
, France, a little before midnight on 23 October 1918, Alaskan discharged lumber
, tractor
s, and trailers
, on 26 October 1918 and over ensuing days. She was still lying in port on 11 November 1918 when the news reached her of the signing of the armistice
with Germany
, an event duly celebrated by the ships sounding her whistle
and hoisting Allied
flag
s. Alaskan ultimately reached Newport News, via Gibraltar, on the afternoon of 29 November 1918, bringing to a close her third and final round-trip voyage under the aegis of NOTS.
became a priority. Alaskan was selected for conversion to a troop transport. On 10 December 1918, she departed Newport News for New York City. She was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force
on 12 December 1918. On 19 December 1918, her guns were removed by a U.S. Navy derrick
lighter
off Weehawken
, New Jersey
. Over the following weeks, she underwent a metamorphosis from cargo ship to troopship at Brooklyn by the W. A. Fletcher Shipyard under the direction of U.S. Army authorities, with the addition of troop accommodations for up to 2,260 men.
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Now a troop transport, Alaskan cleared New York Harbor
on 24 February 1919 bound for France, and reached St. Nazaire on 10 March 1919. After embarking troops between 09:10 and 17:10 hours on 15 March 1919, she got underway later that day on the return leg of the voyage. She moored at Army Pier No. 2, Hoboken
, New Jersey, on 31 March 1919, and, after quick voyage repairs, departed again for Europe
an waters on 7 April 1919. She conducted three more trooping voyages, one to Bordeaux
, France, and two to St. Nazaire, each time returning to disembark returning "doughboy
s" at Hoboken. She sent her last contingents of troops ashore alongside Pier No. 8, Hoboken, on the afternoon of 16 July 1919.
After drydocking at Brooklyn and the removal of her troop accommodations, Alaskan was back at Pier No. 8, Hoboken, by 24 July 1919. On 5 August 1919, at 16:02 hours, Alaskan was turned over to her prewar owners, the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company.
of the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company until sold to Italian
interests in 1927. Under Italian ownership, she was renamed SS Memore and was registered by the Companie Generale Armamento Soc. Anon., her home port
being listed as Genoa
, Italy
. She remained on contemporary merchant vessel lists until 1933, and then her name disappeared from the rolls. Presumably, she was scrapped in Italy during or soon after 1933.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
cargo ship
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
and troop transport in commission from 1918 to 1919.
Construction and commercial service, 1902-1918
Alaska was built in 1902 at San FranciscoSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, by the Union Iron Works
Union Iron Works
Union Iron Works, located in San Francisco, California, on the southeast waterfront, was a central business within the large industrial zone of Potrero Point, for four decades at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries.-History:...
as the commercial cargo ship SS Alaskan for the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company
American-Hawaiian Steamship Company
The American-Hawaiian Steamship Company was founded in 1899 to carry cargos of sugar from Hawaii to the United States and manufactured goods on return trips...
, which employed her on the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-to-San Francisco-to-Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, trade. Alaskan and her sister ship — which later served in the U.S. Navy as — represented, according to a contemporary account, the "most advanced practice in the construction of ocean-going freighters and ... a most important addition to the American merchant marine." Intended exclusively for carrying freight, Alaskan was designed as a very strong ship with a large stowage capacity.
World War I service
The U.S. Navy inspected Alaskan in the 3rd Naval District on 23 May 1917, found her desirable for World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Navy service, and assigned her the Naval Registry Identification Number
Naval Registry Identification Number
A Naval Registry Identification Number is a unique identifier that the U.S. Navy used for privately owned and naval vessels in the first half of the 20th century....
(Id. No.) 4542, but did not take control of her for several more months. On 12 March 1918, the United States Shipping Board
United States Shipping Board
The United States Shipping Board was established as an emergency agency by the Shipping Act , 7 September 1916. It was formally organized 30 January 1917. It was sometimes referred to as the War Shipping Board.http://www.gwpda.org/wwi-www/Hurley/bridgeTC.htm | The Bridge To France by Edward N....
turned the ship over to the United States Department of War
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
as a cargo ship to be manned and operated by the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS) for the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
on a bareboat charter
Bareboat charter
A bareboat charter is an arrangement for the chartering or hiring of a ship or boat, whereby no crew or provisions are included as part of the agreement; instead, the people who rent the vessel from the owner are responsible for taking care of such things....
basis. The Navy took control of her that same day and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
her on 23 March 1918 at Morse Dry Dock, Brooklyn, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, as USS Alaskan with Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Walter P. Hillman, USNRF, in command.
Alaskan departed Brooklyn for Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, on the afternoon of 24 March 1918. Anchoring in Hampton Roads in the predawn darkness of 26 March 1918, she moved shortly thereafter to the Norfolk and Western Pier
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
s, docking there at 12:28 hours. Over the ensuing days, she received more men and underwent repairs. Yard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
work completed and her complement
Complement
In many different fields, the complement of X is something that together with X makes a complete whole—something that supplies what X lacks.Complement may refer to:...
brought up to full allowance, Alaskan shifted to Pier 5, U. S. Army Piers, Newport News
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, on 13 April 1918 to take on cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
.On 16 April 1918, she proceeded to sea and joined a France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
-bound convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
on 17 April 1918. She reached Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, France, on the afternoon of 2 May 1918, then weighed anchor
Anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα .Anchors can either be temporary or permanent...
early on the morning of 3 May 1918 to proceed in a coastal convoy to St. Nazaire, France.
On 3 May 1918, during the voyage, one of the ships in the convoy, the American merchant ship SS Pearl F., attempted to cut between columns, veering across Alaskans bow. The accident resulted in Alaskans stem
Stem (ship)
The stem is the very most forward part of a boat or ship's bow and is an extension of the keel itself and curves up to the wale of the boat. The stem is more often found on wooden boats or ships, but not exclusively...
being badly twisted to starboard, and plates attached to her stem either broke off or cracked, but she was still able to complete the voyage, anchoring at St. Nazaire that evening. However, due to crowded harbor
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
conditions, she did not begin discharging cargo until 6 May 1918.
On 13 May 1918, lookouts aboard Alaskan spotted a fire
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
breaking out on board U.S. Navy animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
transport USS Mexican (ID-1655)
USS Mexican (ID-1655)
USS Mexican was a United States Navy cargo ship and troop transport in commission from 1917 to 1919.SS Mexican was built in 1907 at San Francisco, California, by the Union Iron Works as a commercial cargo ship for the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company of New York City...
, lying directly ahead of Alaskan in St. Nazaire harbor. Alaskan called away her fire and rescue
Rescue
Rescue refers to responsive operations that usually involve the saving of life, or prevention of injury during an incident or dangerous situation....
party, which aided Mexicans men in controlling the blaze before it did serious damage.
Alaskan remained in French waters into June 1918, first at St. Nazaire, completing the discharge of her cargo, before proceeding down the coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
, passing the He de Yeu on 7 June 1918 in a coastal convoy bound for the Gironde River, which she reached later that day. Getting underway on 10 June 1918 for the return voyage to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the ship brought her first voyage for NOTS to a close when she reached New York Harbor
New York Harbor
New York Harbor refers to the waterways of the estuary near the mouth of the Hudson River that empty into New York Bay. It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Although the U.S. Board of Geographic Names does not use the term, New York Harbor has important historical, governmental,...
late on 23 June 1918.
Alsakan underwent voyage repairs at Morse Drydock, Brooklyn, before moving to Bush Terminal
Bush Terminal
Bush Terminal now known as Industry City is a historic intermodal shipping, warehousing, and manufacturing complex on the waterfront in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City...
Pier No. 6 to take on cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
, then began her second wartime voyage in naval service on 28 July 1918, again crossing the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
in a convoy. Carrying the vice commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
of the convoy, Lieutenant Commander Isaiah F. Shurtleff, USNRF, Alaskan arrived at St. Nazaire on 12 August 1918, anchoring late on 13 August 1918. Among the cargo she discharged was oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
for the tanks at the United States Naval Aviation
Naval aviation
Naval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
Station, Le Croisic
Le Croisic
Le Croisic is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.-References:...
, France. With a return cargo that included ordnance material, Alaskan got underway for the United States on the afternoon of 28 August 1918 and reached Hampton Roads on the afternoon of 13 September 1918.
For her third U.S. Navy voyage during the war, Alaskan cleared Hampton Roads on 29 September 1918 and joined a France-bound convoy on 30 September 1918, this time routed via Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
. Arriving at Gibraltar on 16 October 1918, Alaskan lingered there until 20 October 1918, when she began the last passage of her voyage. Two days out, at 11:37 hours on 22 October 1918, she collided with and sank a fishing boat. Fortunately, another boat "of similar character" fished the sunken boats men out of the sea.
Reaching Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
, France, a little before midnight on 23 October 1918, Alaskan discharged lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
, tractor
Tractor
A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction...
s, and trailers
Trailer (vehicle)
A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle. Commonly, the term trailer refers to such vehicles used for transport of goods and materials....
, on 26 October 1918 and over ensuing days. She was still lying in port on 11 November 1918 when the news reached her of the signing of the armistice
Armistice with Germany (Compiègne)
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not technically a surrender...
with Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, an event duly celebrated by the ships sounding her whistle
Whistle
A whistle or call is a simple aerophone, an instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. It may be mouth-operated, or powered by air pressure, steam, or other means...
and hoisting Allied
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
flag
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
s. Alaskan ultimately reached Newport News, via Gibraltar, on the afternoon of 29 November 1918, bringing to a close her third and final round-trip voyage under the aegis of NOTS.
Postwar service
With World War I over, the return of American troops to the United States from EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
became a priority. Alaskan was selected for conversion to a troop transport. On 10 December 1918, she departed Newport News for New York City. She was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force
Cruiser and Transport Force
The Cruiser and Transport Service was a unit of the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet during World War I that was responsible for transporting American men and materiel to France.- Composition :...
on 12 December 1918. On 19 December 1918, her guns were removed by a U.S. Navy derrick
Derrick
A derrick is a lifting device composed of one tower, or guyed mast such as a pole which is hinged freely at the bottom. It is controlled by lines powered by some means such as man-hauling or motors, so that the pole can move in all four directions. A line runs up it and over its top with a hook on...
lighter
Lighter (barge)
A lighter is a type of flat-bottomed barge used to transfer goods and passengers to and from moored ships. Lighters were traditionally unpowered and were moved and steered using long oars called "sweeps," with their motive power provided by water currents...
off Weehawken
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Over the following weeks, she underwent a metamorphosis from cargo ship to troopship at Brooklyn by the W. A. Fletcher Shipyard under the direction of U.S. Army authorities, with the addition of troop accommodations for up to 2,260 men.
New York Harbor
New York Harbor refers to the waterways of the estuary near the mouth of the Hudson River that empty into New York Bay. It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. Although the U.S. Board of Geographic Names does not use the term, New York Harbor has important historical, governmental,...
on 24 February 1919 bound for France, and reached St. Nazaire on 10 March 1919. After embarking troops between 09:10 and 17:10 hours on 15 March 1919, she got underway later that day on the return leg of the voyage. She moored at Army Pier No. 2, Hoboken
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
, New Jersey, on 31 March 1919, and, after quick voyage repairs, departed again for Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an waters on 7 April 1919. She conducted three more trooping voyages, one to Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
, France, and two to St. Nazaire, each time returning to disembark returning "doughboy
Doughboy
Doughboy is an informal term for an American soldier, especially members of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. The term dates back to the Mexican–American War of 1846–48....
s" at Hoboken. She sent her last contingents of troops ashore alongside Pier No. 8, Hoboken, on the afternoon of 16 July 1919.
After drydocking at Brooklyn and the removal of her troop accommodations, Alaskan was back at Pier No. 8, Hoboken, by 24 July 1919. On 5 August 1919, at 16:02 hours, Alaskan was turned over to her prewar owners, the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company.
Commercial service, 1919-1933
Once again SS Alaskan, the ship operated under the house flagMaritime flag
A maritime flag is a flag designated for use on ships, boats, and other watercraft. Naval flags are considered important at sea and the rules and regulations for the flying of flags are strictly enforced...
of the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company until sold to Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
interests in 1927. Under Italian ownership, she was renamed SS Memore and was registered by the Companie Generale Armamento Soc. Anon., her home port
Home port
A vessel's home port is the port at which it is based, which may not be the same as its port of registry shown on its registration documents and lettered on the stern of the ship's hull...
being listed as Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. She remained on contemporary merchant vessel lists until 1933, and then her name disappeared from the rolls. Presumably, she was scrapped in Italy during or soon after 1933.