Blidberg Rothchild Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Maritime transport |
| Predecessor | Blidberg and Sagen Company |
| Founded | 1920 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Allan Blidberg, Sylvester Rothschild |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States, Scandinavia, Baltic region |
Key people | Tryggve Sagen (president, former), Allan Blidberg (vice president), Sylvester Rothschild (secretary) |
| Products | Shipping services, Merchant vessel operation during World War II |
Blidberg Rothchild Company was a maritime enterprise established in New York City by Allan Blidberg and Sylvester Rothschild. It originated from the earlier Blidberg and Sagen Company, which was founded by Tryggve Sagen alongside Allan Blidberg. Prior to relocating to the United States in 1919, Sagen owned a vessel based in Oslo. In the same year, Sylvester Rothschild, who had experience as a finance officer and vice-consul from Gothenburg, Sweden, became part of the team. The initial firm specialized in shipping services connecting New York with ports across Scandinavia and the Baltic region. Leadership roles included Sagen as president, Blidberg serving as vice president, and Rothschild acting as secretary. Following Sagen's exit during the 1930s, the company was rebranded as Blidberg Rothchild Company, continuing to operate offices in both Gothenburg and Norway. It worked closely with related entities such as Eastport Steamship Co and Bridgeport Steamship Line, the latter having associations with the New Haven Railroad.
World War II
Throughout World War II, Blidberg Rothchild Company managed merchant vessels under charter contracts with the United States Shipping Board, Maritime Commission, and War Shipping Administration. The firm was responsible for operating Liberty ships, Victory ships, and tankers serving the U.S. Merchant Navy. These ships were staffed by Blidberg Rothchild crews and were equipped with defensive armaments provided by U.S. Navy Armed Guards.
Ships
Prominent vessels under their operation comprised:
- Eastport, constructed in 1937 by German shipbuilders
- Opie Read, classified as a T1 tanker (Armadillo class)
- Liberty ships operated included:
- R. P. Warner
- Simon Benson
- U.S.O.
- Joseph-Augustin Chevalier
- Lawrence J. Brengle
- Lee S. Overman (which was sunk near Le Havre in 1944)
- Brandon Victory
- Walter Frederick Kraft
- Bert Williams
- Andrew W. Preston
- George S. Boutwell
- Elijah Kellogg (which sank close to Karachi in 1952)
- Harry Kirby
- Francis A. Retka
- James B. Aswell
- Victory ships included:
- Hood Victory (used as a troop transport)
- Wellesley Victory