Smith-Johnson Steamship Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Ship brokerage |
| Founded | 1921 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Howell B. Smith, Algot W. Johnson |
| Defunct | 1982 (approximate) |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States, Norway (brokerage of Norwegian vessels) |
Key people | Howell B. Smith, Algot W. Johnson |
| Products | Ship brokerage, Ship management (Liberty ships, Victory ships) |
Smith-Johnson Steamship Corporation, commonly referred to as Smith & Johnson, was established in 1921 in New York City by Howell B. Smith (1898–1979) and Algot W. Johnson (1900–1987). Prior to founding their own enterprise, both individuals served as ship brokers for the Munson Steamship Line. The firm mainly specialized in brokering Norwegian vessels. Throughout World War II, Smith-Johnson managed ships that supported military operations and expanded its presence by opening an office in New Orleans. Unlike many of its rivals, the company chose not to purchase surplus vessels after the war concluded. The founders sold the business in 1955, and it continued operations under different names until approximately 1982.
Howell B. Smith was born on July 4, 1898, in Rhode Island and grew up in Norwood, New Jersey. During World War I, he served in the United States Navy, including duty aboard a troopship and later as a coxswain within the 3rd Naval District. After retiring from Smith-Johnson in 1955, he contributed to the United States Maritime Commission during World War II and founded the Merchant Shipping Company. Smith passed away on February 25, 1979, in New York City.
Algot W. Johnson entered the world on July 15, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York. He briefly served in the United States Army during World War I and was the son of Charles Johnson, a Swedish immigrant who worked as a shipyard joiner. Algot died on October 19, 1987, in Palm Beach, Florida.
World War II
During World War II, Smith-Johnson Steamship Corporation significantly contributed to wartime maritime logistics by operating merchant vessels chartered through the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. The company oversaw Liberty ships and Victory ships within the United States Merchant Navy fleet, providing civilian crews while the US Navy supplied Armed Guards responsible for operating deck weaponry and communications equipment. This collaboration ensured effective management of critical shipping operations throughout the conflict.
Ships
Selected vessels managed by Smith-Johnson include:
- Liberty ships operated:
- , which struck a mine near the coast of Italy in January 1945.
- Matt W. Ransom, damaged by a mine laid by German submarine U-117 off Casablanca on April 15, 1943; it made it to Gibraltar and then to England, but due to extensive damage was deemed irreparable and was sunk on June 8, 1944, serving as part of the Gooseberry Harbour at the Normandy beach.
- Edward G. Janeway
- Edward K. Collins
- Wallace M. Tyler
- Negley D. Cochran
- Joseph Lee
- Joshua Slocum
- James M. Porter
- John Gallup
- Fitzhugh Lee II
- Mathew B. Brady
- Edwin T. Meredith
- John A. Donald
- James M. Gillis
- David Belasco
- Frank C. Emerson
- Eloy Alfaro
- Thomas J. Lyons
- Edward Nickels, N3-S-A2 model
- Victory ships operated:
- SS Williams Victory
- SS Muhlenberg Victory
- Other vessels
- , also known under the name SS Empire Contyne, a cargo ship with a gross register tonnage of 1,935 built by Flensburger Schiff-Gesellschaft in 1945 initially named Rodenbeck.