The Last Ocean Liners

American President Lines

American President Lines The American President express service to the Orient was operated primarily by the two-class President Cleveland and President Wilson. Their 1940s moderne First class public rooms and pool occupied the entire Promenade deck, while Economy class had a lounge, veranda and pool aft on the lower decks. They were particularly popular with tourists, government and military personnel and migrants enroute from Asia to the USA.

Beginning in 1962 they were assisted by the all First class President Roosevelt, whose spacious layout included many single cabins and a private bath in every stateroom. All three ships were fitted with full air-conditioning and stabilizers.

American President Lines These ocean liners normally were routed from San Francisco to Honolulu (5 days), Yokohama (14 days), Hong Kong (18 days) and Manila (20 days), with the return voyage sailing via the same ports plus Kobe. The round trip was 42 days. The slower President Hoover, added to the fleet in 1957, was sometimes scheduled to bypass Honolulu which saved her three days steaming time.

American President Lines also offered around-the-world passenger and cargo service on the combination sister ships, President Polk and President Monroe. The complete voyage could be taken westbound from New York or San Francisco, and included the Panama Canal, Hawaii, the Orient, Southeast Asia, India, Pakistan, the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean, and returning home via the Atlantic. Accommodations were modern, comfortable and simple, and included a lounge with bar, library, an outdoor pool and dining salon.

"After a few days of sun and sea air - enjoyed in a deck chair, in the swimming pool and on the deck courts - you'll find yourself without a care or tension in the world. This is the best part of life aboard a President liner - the wonderful lift you get from your days at sea. Then, almost too soon, a new incense flavors the air. The exciting sweep of a foreign land looms upon the horizon."

American President Lines Interchange Sailing Schedules

President Cleveland | American President Lines | 1947

President Cleveland American President Lines
Built: 1947 Gross tons: 18962 Length: 609ft Beam: 75ft Draft: 30ft Speed: 20kt
Propulsion: Steam turbo electric twin screw Passengers: 324 First 454 Economy
End of service: Sold 1973

President Wilson | American President Lines | 1948

President Wilson American President Lines
Built: 1948 Gross tons: 18962 Length: 609ft Beam: 75ft Draft: 30ft Speed: 20kt
Propulsion: Steam turbo electric twin screw Passengers: 324 First 454 Economy
End of service: Sold 1973

President Roosevelt | American President Lines | 1944

President Roosevelt American President Lines
Built: 1944 Gross tons: 18920 Length: 622ft Beam: 75ft Draft: 27ft Speed: 19kt
Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 456 First
End of service: Sold 1970

President Hoover | American President Lines | 1939

President Hoover American President Lines
Built: 1939 Gross tons: 10603 Length: 493ft Beam: 64ft Draft: 26ft Speed: 17kt
Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 204 First
End of service: Sold 1964

President Polk | American President Lines | 1940

President Polk American President Lines
Built: 1940 Gross tons: 9260 Length: 492ft Beam: 70ft Draft: 27ft Speed: 16.5kt
Propulsion: Steam turbines single screw Passengers: 96 First
End of service: Laid up 1965

President Monroe | American President Lines | 1940

President Monroe American President Lines
Built: 1940 Gross tons: 9260 Length: 492ft Beam: 70ft Draft: 27ft Speed: 16.5kt
Propulsion: Steam turbines single screw Passengers: 96 First
End of service: Laid up 1965