United States Navigation Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, ship brokerage |
| Founded | 1917 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Edward Carl Wilhelm Oelsner |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Fate | Sold in 1979 and closed in 1981 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States, Gulf of Mexico, international shipping routes |
Key people | Edward Carl Wilhelm Oelsner (President), John William Oelsner, Arnie Portocarrer, Johannes W. Praesent, Robert W. Boissevain, James A. Lyons, T. C. Hopkins |
| Products | Ship brokerage, ship ownership, ship chartering |
United States Navigation Company was established in 1917 in New York City by Edward Carl Wilhelm Oelsner (1888–1973), an entrepreneur originally from Prussia who immigrated to the United States in 1908. Drawing on his experience managing the New York office of the Hamburg America Line, Oelsner launched the firm primarily as a steamship brokerage. Initial clientele featured prominent shipping companies such as the Hamburg-American Line and North German Lloyd Line. The company broadened its scope by forming a partnership with Biehl & Company to charter vessels servicing ports in the Gulf of Mexico, eventually moving into ship ownership with the acquisition of the SS City of Salisbury, a cargo ship built in 1885 with a capacity of 397 tons.
Guided by Oelsner’s strategic vision, United States Navigation Company expanded its presence in the market, contributing to the World War II effort through operation of US-flagged vessels and postwar management of Liberty ships acquired after the conflict. Following Oelsner's passing in 1973, the firm maintained operations until its sale in 1979 and eventual closure in 1981.
The company’s operations included acting as a US-based broker for numerous international shipping lines, thereby strengthening its global reach and competitive positioning. Notable alliances encompassed:
- Hamburg-American Line (Germany)
- North German Lloyd (Germany)
- Watts Line (UK)
- Reardon-Smith Line (UK)
- Iino Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (Japan)
- Baron Line (Scotland)
- Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line, Japan)
- Kousal Line
These partnerships and subsidiaries underscored the company’s extensive target markets and played a significant role in its expansion within maritime commerce. Leading executives included Ed Oelsner (President), John William Oelsner, Arnie Portocarrer, Johannes W. Praesent, Robert W. Boissevain, James A. Lyons, and T. C. Hopkins.
Joint Venture
In 1945, United States Navigation Co., together with Marine Services Company Limited, established the Canada South Africa Line subsidiary based in Montreal, Canada.
World War II
Throughout World War II, United States Navigation Company operated merchant vessels on behalf of the United States Shipping Board, engaging in charter agreements with both the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. The firm managed Liberty and Victory ships staffed by its own crews alongside US Navy Armed Guards assigned for protection.
Ships
- Significant vessels:**
- Fort Meigs T2 tanker (operated 1949–1950)
- City of Salisbury (acquired in 1941 under the name Joppa; originally constructed in 1885)
- Big Chief (formerly USLHT Iris)
- At its operational height around 1950, the company managed a fleet of approximately 75 ships, many of which were surplus from World War II.
- World War II fleet included:**
- Liberty Ships:*
- SS C. W. Post
- SS John Einig
- SS Robert F. Burns
- SS Frank Park
- E. A. Peden
- Wallace M. Tyler
- Walter Kidde
- SS Harold O. Wilson
- Howard L. Gibson (sustained damage in 1944 and was not repaired)
- Charles Dauray
- David Wilmot
- SS James K. Paulding
- SS Richard K. Call
- SS Chief Osceola
- James I. McKay
- SS Jasper F. Cropsey
- SS J. Howland Gardner
- SS James F. Harrell
- SS James Eagan Layne
- Victory Ships:*
- Lynchburg Victory
- St. Augustine Victory
- Webster Victory (utilized as a troopship)
- Vessels operated after World War II:**
- El Coston
- SS Registan (built 1910)
- During Korean War service:**
- Harry L. Glucksman (MSS-1)
- Carthage (AG-185)
- MSS-1
- George Uhler
- Donald H. Holland
- SS Harry L. Glucksman
- SS American Victory (currently preserved as a museum ship)