The Resolute and Reliance - United American Lines

Famous ex-German Liners Secured for the Transatlantic Service of the American Ship & Commerce Corporation

RESOLUTE and Reliance will be the new names of the two 20,000 ton passenger ships recently purchased by the American Ship & Commerce Corporation from the Royal Holland Lloyd.

These ships, formerly the Brabantia and Limburgia, respectively, have been running. since their completion in 1920, between European ports and South America, in which service they have become known as boats of excellent service and surpassing beauty. Their registration under the American flag will be, therefore. an event of singular importance to the American Merchant Marine, which at present has too little high-class passenger tonnage.

These two ships were originally laid down to the order of the Hamburg American Line, just before the war, and were designed to attract the patronage of the so-called "South American millionaire class." which at that time travelled freely between Brazil. Argentina and the countries of Northern Europe.

It is not surprising. therefore, to find that their equipment is of the highest order. Each boat has a swimming pool. fully equipped gymnasium, men and ladies' hairdressing and manicure parlors, a special room for the children, botanical garden, photographic dark-room, passenger elevators. etc. The cabins are unusually commodious, first-class staterooms being provided with beds instead of berths, porcelain washstands with running water, wardrobes, dressing tables and writing desks.

The Resolute and Reliance, which, by the way, were named after two famous Yankee yachts which successfully defended the America's cup, will enter service between New York and Hamburg in April and May respectively.

The Steamship Resolute, 20,000 Tons Gross, Built in 1920

The Resolute, the first of the two to be commissioned under the American flag, will leave Hamburg on April 11, and will make her first New York departure on May 2. The Reliance will sail from Hamburg on this latter date. and thereafter the two boats will maintain a fortnightly schedule. Calls will be made at English and French channel ports on both the eastbound and westbound voyages.

The two ships are alike as regards general design, differing only in certain details. They are oil burning steamers of 17.5 knots speed. They are propelled by triple screws, two of which are driven by reciprocating engines and one by a turbine. Their length over-all is approximately 600 feet. breadth 72 feet and depth 40 feet.

Source: Shipping Magazine, Volume 15, 25 January 1922, Page 11

Resolute and Reliance to be Remodelled

The United American Lines state in connection with the passenger service to be established with their new steamers Resolute and Reliance, that the second and third-class quarters on these ships will be extensively remodelled, prior to the initial sailing in April. Unsurpassed accommodations in these classes is the aim of the Line. The remodelling work has already begun on the Resolute, recently delivered at Hamburg, and will be undertaken on the Reliance when she is turned over to her new owners about March 1.

The second cabin on both steamers will be improved ty the addition of thirty rooms and a large social hall. The social hall is in addition to the dining room, ladies' parlor
and smoking room, and is a comfort and convenience hither-to unknown to second-class passengers. With this added feature the Resolute and Reliance will open a new era in second-class travel.

The third-class quarters will be remodelled with a 'view to bringing them up to the standard set by the United American Lines with its exclusively third-class ships Mount Clay, Mount Carroll and Mount Clinton. This space will be converted into rooms for two and four passengers; commodious dining rooms, ladies' rooms and smoking rooms will be provided. This endeavor to supply improved accommodations. to third-class travellers involves a considerable sacrifice on the part of the company, since it means reducing by half the number of passengers which can be accommodated.

Source: Shipping Magazine, Volume 15, 25 Febraury 1922, P 27