American Range-Liberty Lines, Inc.
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Maritime transport |
| Founded | September 8, 1943 |
| Founder | American Range Lines, Inc. and American Liberty Steamship Corporation |
| Fate | Dissolved (authorized December 1, 1944) |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | Jacob L. Alwine (president) |
| Products | Merchant shipping services, ship chartering during World War II |
American Range-Liberty Lines, Inc. was formed on September 8, 1943, as a collaborative enterprise between American Range Lines, Inc. and American Liberty Steamship Corporation, both headquartered in New York City. Jacob L. Alwine held the position of president at American Range-Liberty Lines, Inc., while A. D. Rissmiller was at the helm of American Liberty Steamship Corporation. This partnership operated under the authorization granted by the General Agency Assignment from the War Shipping Administration.
Joint venture
This collaboration was intended to continue throughout the period governed by the World War II Shipping Administration and the General Agency agreement. American Range Lines, Inc., established in 1936 with its base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, joined forces with American Liberty Steamship Corporation, which had been founded in 1916 and operated routes between New York and Baltimore to Galveston and Houston. Together, they pooled assets to fulfill ship chartering obligations under the War Shipping Administration and Maritime Commission. Following the formation of the joint venture, American Range Lines, Inc. adopted the new name American Range-Liberty Lines, Inc. Nonetheless, due to disagreements in management, both entities sought an early dissolution of their partnership, which was authorized to take effect on December 1, 1944. Issues related to taxes and separation were ultimately settled in 1951 through the case American Range Lines Inc. v. Comm'r of Internal Revenue.
World War II
Throughout World War II, American Range-Liberty Lines, Inc. operated merchant vessels contributing to wartime logistics under contracts with the United States Shipping Board, Maritime Commission, and War Shipping Administration. The company provided crews for Liberty ships while United States Navy Armed Guard detachments handled deck armaments and radio communications. This role established American Range-Liberty Lines as a significant participant in wartime maritime transport and charter services.
Ships
- Vessels operated during World War II:**
- Liberty Ships:**
- SS George G. Crawford
- Halton R. Carey
- Walter Kidde
- SS Walter M. Christiansen
- Webb Miller
- Stephen W. Gambrill
- Robert S. Lovett
- John La Farge
- Joseph I. Kemp
- Thomas W. Gregory
- Cecil N. Bean
- Leo J. Duster
- Other vessels:**
- USS Pemiscot (AK-201), a C1-M-AV1 class cargo ship
- Owned vessels:**
- Marsodak – sunk on August 15, 1942 (constructed in 1919 by Submarine Boat Company)
- Plow City – sunk on May 22, 1942 (built in 1920 by Submarine Boat)
- Suwied – sunk on June 8, 1942 (built in 1919 by Submarine Boat Corp)
- Managed vessel:**
- SS Colabee – owned by Colabee Steamship Company and managed by American Range Lines; sunk March 3, 1942 (constructed in 1920 by Atlantic Corporation, Portsmouth, New Hampshire)