The Big Five of the Transatlantic Passenger Trade: Innovation, War, and the Race Across the Atlantic

Explore the story of the "Big Five" U.S. transatlantic liners—Leviathan, George Washington, America, Agamemnon, and Mount Vernon. Discover their role in wartime transport, peacetime luxury, and American maritime ambition.

1924 Advertisement for the United States Shipping Board Promoting Ships of the United States Lines. The Leviathan, George Washington, President Harding, President Roosevelt, America, and Republic. American Consular Bulletin, July 1924. GGA Image ID # 2203df2c0b

Our Bid for the Transatlantic Passenger Trade

If you should drop into the headquarters of the Shipping Board in New York seeking information or on a business call, you would probably hear more than the phrase "The Big Five." It is the Shipping Board's generic term for the largest and choicest of the transatlantic passenger steamers that were shut up in American ports and held there by the blockading force of British cruisers outside, and upon our entrance into the war were seized by the United States Government. These ships played a crucial role in the war, serving as key transport vessels for troops and supplies.

After the Armistice, we obtained permanent possession of these ships, which formed the leading members of a fleet whose total tonnage amounted to 600,000 tons.

It's a tale as old as time, but we can't help but marvel at the remarkable work of our Navy Department. They undertook the Herculean task of repairing the extensive damage inflicted upon the engines of these ships by their German officers just before our entry into the war. Their skill and dedication were instrumental in restoring these vessels to their former glory.

Steam cylinders and steam chests, from which the Germans had smashed large fragments, were repaired by electrically welding new sections in place and reboring and refacing them. The repairs were so efficient that we could put the whole fleet, or as much of it as we wished, into our transport service. The vessels did yeoman work in carrying our Army across the Atlantic. These repairs were a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our Navy Department, who overcame significant technical challenges to restore these ships to service.

After the Armistice, the various transports were tied up to different docks until the Shipping Board could overhaul the engines and re-store the interior passenger accommodations. Much of this work has been done, and some of the largest ships are in operation today. However, reconditioning involves significant expense and resources, which has led to delays in the restoration of some ships. Conspicuous, of course, among these is that great ship, the "Leviathan."

In the order of their size and importance, the "big five" are the "Leviathan," the "George Washington," the "America," the "Agamemnon," and the "Mount Vernon." In addition, reference is made to the accompanying table for the particulars of these vessels.

Particulars of the Shipping Board’s “Big Five”

Measure-ment	Leviathan Ex-Vaterland	George Washington	America Ex-Amerika	Agamemnon Ex-Kaiser Willhelm II	Mount Vernon Ex-Kron-prinzessin Cecile
Length of Deck, feet	927.5	699	669	684.3	685.3
Beam, feet	100	78	74	72.25	72.25
Depth, feet	57.1	50.1	47	40	40.5
Gross Tons	54,292	23,788	21,144	19,360	19,503
Speed in Knots	23	17	16	23	19
Passengers, First Class		485	450	600	600
Passengers, Second Class		440	250	320	301
Passengers, Third Class		1,771	1,500	663	657

Leading particulars of the five large passenger ships with which the United  States Shipping Board will compete for the transatlantic passenger trade.

The SS Leviathan -- Flagship of the United States Lines. Having Taken Thousands upon Thousands of American Soldiers to the Battlefront in France, the Leviathan Will Soon Be Ready for the More Peaceful Occupation of Carrying the Army of American Travelers to Europe. This World-Famous Liner Is Now Being Completely Reconditioned and Reequipped. from Stem to Stern, the Leviathan Measures 950 Feet. Her Height from Smokestack to Keel Is 184 Feet. Her Gross Registered Tonnage Is 54,282. Monster Engines Drive the Immense Ship Through the Water at a Speed of 23. 5 Knots an Hour. All in All She Is Well Named the Leviathan — the Ruler of the Seas. GGA Image ID # 11fa4971da

The "Leviathan"

With the single exception of the "Majestic," which has been assigned by the Shipping Board to the International Merchant Marine for operation, the "Leviathan" is the largest ship afloat, the "Majestic," (ex "Bismark") is six feet longer.

These two liners were built side by side upon the building way of the firm of Blohm and Voss at their celebrated Hamburg yard, from the designs of Dr. Foerster, the chief naval architect of the Hamburg-American Company, for whom the ships were constructed.

The "Leviathan," then the "Vaterland," made her maiden trip to New York in the early summer of 1914. After two or three voyages, the war found her at the Hamburg-American dock at Hoboken, where she remained until the Spring of 1917.

The "Leviathan" is 927 1/2 feet long on deck; her beam is 100 feet, and her molded depth is 57.1 feet. The gross tonnage is 54,292 tons, and the four turbines of 90,000 horsepower, driving four shafts, were designed to give her a speed of 23 knots, which she can make today.

The ship was most sumptuously furnished and decorated in the German style. Its special features include a large assembly room about 75 x 55 feet and about 25 feet high, which is entirely free from supporting columns. The great roof is carried by overhead plate girders, extending from side wall to side wall.

Another notable feature is the Ritz-Carlton restaurant, which is about equal width and height and about 55 feet wide. There is also a main dining room, which measures about 115 feet by nearly 100 feet. Below decks are a Pompeiian swimming pool and a series of electric baths, massage rooms, and other equipment of the same character.

In preparing the ship for transport service, a large number of her elaborate private cabins were torn out to make way for pipe berths for the men, and so far as her decorations were concerned, she was subjected to that all-around wrecking that is involved in turning a passenger vessel of this kind into a transport.

A Painting of the Great Leviathan as Size Will Appear as a Passenger Ship Under the American Flag. GGA Image ID # 12205cc473

The "Leviathan" Well Cared For

Contrary to the widespread impression created by irresponsible newspaper reporters, the "Leviathan" has been very well cared for during the three years she has lain at the Hoboken docks.

A force of some 200 men has kept the machinery, including the main engines, auxiliary pumps, etc., in first-class condition. They have been periodically inspected, turned over, and protected against deterioration. Thanks to the excellence of this care, the ship can steam out of her dock at a few hours' notice and reach a maximum speed of 23 knots.

In addition, the talk about this valuable ship rusting at her moorings is nonsense. The International Merchant Marine, under a contract with the Shipping Board, has cared for her, and the patches of red lead paint with which she is disfigured are evidence that rusting is just the one thing against which the caretaking crew is guarding. The hull is in fine condition, for the ship was built of the best materials and with the careful workmanship that characterizes the best German shipbuilding yards.

At the same time, he must admit that the "Leviathan" is something of a "white elephant. " Thus, it would take between six and seven million dollars to reconstruct the interior passenger accommodations of the ship and refit her to meet American ideas of comfort, decoration, and sanitary arrangements.

The work would be enormous, involving the construction of many miles of electric cables, the complete overhauling of her baths and sanitary and general plumbing arrangements, and the redecoration of her great assembly and dining halls and the vast suite of private cabins. She stands as a monument to the folly of the Shipping Board during the early part of its administration, for it is a fact that the International Merchant Marine Company made a bid of four million dollars for this ship—a reasonable offer if we bear in mind the enormous cost of her reconditioning.

This was turned down, and Heaven knows what will become of the ship! Any firm that bought her would have to spend six or seven million dollars upon her and be hard put to it, even with full cabins, to get any profits out of the venture.

No History of the World War Would Be Complete Without a Reference to the Famous SS George Washington, Flag-Ship of the United States Lines Fleet. The George Washington Carried Thousands of Yankee Soldiers to France, and After the Armistice Was Signed, the Great Liner Took the Delegation of the United States to the Peace Conference. This Vessel Is 722 Feet Long, with a Gross Registered Tonnage of 23,788. GGA Image ID # 11fa4b660a

The "George Washington"

The next largest ship, the well-known "George Washington," which the President of the United States so frequently crossed to France during the peace negotiations, has been entirely renovated and is now in service. The engines and general mechanical plant are in first-class condition, and she has been wholly rebuilt and redecorated throughout.

This ship belongs to a class that used to be called "intermediate express steamers," in which a sizeable freight-carrying capacity is combined with commodious passenger accommodations.

The "George Washington," according to the American Register of Ships, is precisely 699 feet in length; her beam is 78.2 feet; her molded depth is 50.1 feet; gross tonnage is 23,788 tons, and her engines are 20,000 horsepower; the ship a sustained sea speed of 17 knots. She accommodates 485 first-class, 440 second-class, and 1,771 third-class passengers—2,696. The cost of renovating the interior of the ship was $2,000,000.

Second Only to the Incomparable George Washington Is the Stately SS America, Operated by the United States Lines. This Magnificent Vessel Is 687 Feet Long, Has a Gross Registered Tonnage of 21,144 and Carries 1,831 Passengers. It Ranks as One of the Steadiest Ships Afloat. For Comfort and Convenience, It Is Surpassed by None. GGA Image ID # 11fc467360

The "America"

Another fine vessel of the same class, built by Harland and Wolff of Belfast but older than the “George Washington,” is the “America.” Her dimensions are: Length of deck, 669 feet, beam 74 feet, molded depth, 47 feet. Her gross tonnage is 21,144 tons, and she can sustain a sea speed of 16 knots. 

She can carry 450 first-class, 250 second-class, and 1,500 third-class passengers. The engines of the “America” have been partially rebuilt and subjected to a thorough overhauling, and today are in excellent shape. Passenger accommodations have been entirely rebuilt and redecorated. This part of the work is attractive, highly artistic, and very restful to the eye.

Express Steamer SS Kaiser Wilhelm II. Guide Through North and Central America, April 1898. GGA Image ID # 1ddf907e5f

SS Kronprinzessin Cecilie Near the Harbor. GGA Image ID # 1e9a712029

The "Mount Vernon" and "Agamemnon"

In their day, these two ships, built for the North German Lloyd Line, held the blue ribbon of the Atlantic conjointly with the "Deutschland" of the Hamburg American Line. They are practically sister vessels, and under the German flag, they were known as the "Kaiser Wilhelm II" and the "Kronprinzessin Cecilie." "Kaiser Wilhelm II" equaled the record speed of 23 1/2 knots made by the "Deutschland" for the whole crossing of the Atlantic, and both ships were exceedingly popular in their day.

After they came into the possession of the Shipping Board, they were overhauled. The work on the "Mount Vernon" (formerly the "Cecilie") was done at the Boston Navy, where the engines were rebuilt from the engine foundations up; they are now in first-class running order. Work on the "Agamemnon" was done at the New York Navy Yard. Renovation of the cabin accommodations in these two vessels is not yet complete. Still, we understand it is to be put through by firms acting under contract with the Shipping Board.

The dimensions of the "Agamemnon" are: length 684.3 feet; beam 72.3 feet; depth 40 feet; gross tonnage T9360 ions. The engines today can drive her at a speed of 23 knots. She accommodates 600 first-class, 320 second-class, and 663 third-class passengers.

The five ships mentioned above, except the "Leviathan," have been operated under contract with the Shipping Board by the lately defunct United States Mail Service. At present, they are being operated by a company of patriotic officials who are giving their services for nothing. The company receives a certain sum from the Shipping Board to cover the expenses of running the ships.

The "Majestic” and “Homeric" of the White Star Line

When the war broke out, the "Bismarck," sister ship to the "Leviathan," then known as the "Vaterland," was under construction at the Blohm and Voss yards in Hamburg. Little was done to her during the war, but since the Treaty, representatives of the White Star Line and of the German builders have been working together to outfit her with stores and minor equipment.

She will be operated by the Shipping Board, which will pay the company a certain sum for that service. On taking her place in the New York-Cherbourg-Southampton service, she will conform in the details of her passenger fittings to the standards of the "Olympic," with which she will play in that service.

She is about 10,000 tons larger than the "Olympic" and about 2,000 tons larger than the "Leviathan," or 56,000 tons. The increase in size is because after she was designed, it was determined to introduce two additional frames of amidship, giving her an increased length of six feet so that, according to the American Maritime Register, her length on deck will be 938.6 feet.

This great ship will have 1,245 staterooms, including 472 first-class, 212 second-class, and 561 third-class cabins. The dimensions of the vessel are enormous. The tops of the three smokestacks are 144 feet above the ship's Water line and 184 feet above the keel, which is about equal to the height of an ordinary 14-story building.

There is an excellent suite of halls on the boat deck, including a lounge 26 feet high, with floor dimensions of 76 feet. The main dining room is 117 feet long by 98 feet wide, and its ceiling is 31 feet high. The first-class restaurant is 110 feet long by 54 feet wide, with a ceiling of 23 feet high. There is an unbroken view through the center of these halls of 250 feet. This is made possible by arranging the uptakes to the smokestacks brought up from the boiler rooms near the sides of the ship in two parts, which unite above the saloon deck.

The grand staircases are also built on the sides instead of in the vessel's center. These arrangements ensure a clean sweep of unimpeded space throughout the great public rooms. The estimated sea speed of the ship is about 23 knots. However, it is probable that, in common with all big, fast passenger steamers today, she will be run at a lower speed to economize fuel. Her crew of over 1000 men, the ship's full complement, will be more than 5000 souls.

Another fine ship that the International Merchant Marine operated was the "Homeric" (formerly the "Columbus"), which was practically completed for the North German Lloyd Line at the outbreak of the war. She was designed to improve the "George Washington," which she resembles in appearance. She is 775.6 feet long, her beam is 83.1 feet, and her draft is 33.8 feet. The gross tonnage is 32,000.

“The Big Five,” in the Scientific American: The Monthly Journal of Practical Information, Volume 125-A, Number 17, New York, November 1921, P. 9-10

🌊 The Big Five of the Transatlantic Passenger Trade: A Historical Voyage Through Ocean Travel's Titans

🚢 Introduction: Why This Article Matters for Historians, Educators, and Enthusiasts

The transatlantic passenger trade of the early 20th century represents a unique intersection of maritime innovation, geopolitics, and social evolution. The article, "The Big Five of the Transatlantic Passenger Trade," offers a compelling narrative on five key vessels—the Leviathan, George Washington, America, Agamemnon, and Mount Vernon. It explores how these seized German liners were transformed into American maritime assets following World War I.

This historical account is particularly relevant for:

📚 Teachers: Illustrates engineering advancements, wartime logistics, and post-war economic implications.

🎓 Students: Provides real-world examples of maritime strategy, immigration patterns, and technological innovations.

🧬 Genealogists: Highlights ships often used by immigrants crossing the Atlantic.

🕰️ Historians: Offers valuable context on America's shipping ambitions post-WWI.

🌐 Travel Enthusiasts: Brings to life the luxury and innovation of early transatlantic ocean liners.

⚙️ Historical Context: The Seizure and Repurposing of German Liners

During World War I, several German ships were interned in American ports. When the U.S. entered the war, these massive vessels were seized and repurposed as troop transports. Post-war, they were transferred to the U.S. Shipping Board and rebuilt for commercial transatlantic service.

🚢 The "Big Five" Ships:

🌟 Engaging Highlights from the Article

1. ⚓️ The Leviathan: An Engineering Marvel and a White Elephant

Biggest ship in the U.S. fleet (927.5 feet long, 54,292 tons).

Built with elaborate German design, including:

75x55 ft column-free assembly room (an engineering feat).

Ritz-Carlton Restaurant and Pompeiian swimming pool.

Served as a troop transport during WWI.

Maintenance Mystery: Despite reports of neglect, a 200-man crew kept it in running condition.

Financial Challenge: Restoring the ship to luxury standards required $6-7 million, making it a white elephant—a costly and impractical asset for private ownership.

💡 Why It's Engaging:

Largest American liner of its time.

Blends technical innovation with economic cautionary tale.

Relatable theme: Balancing prestige projects with practical returns remains relevant today.

2. 🌐 The George Washington: Presidential Pedigree

Frequently used by U.S. presidents during the Versailles Peace Conference.

Combines passenger comfort with freight capacity—a dual-purpose design.

2,000+ passengers across three classes, reflecting the social stratification of ocean travel.

💡 Why It's Engaging:

Political and diplomatic history intersect with maritime development.

Practical design makes it unique among its luxury-focused counterparts.

3. 🇺🇸 The America: Irish Craftsmanship with American Ambitions

Built by Harland and Wolff (the same shipyard as Titanic).

Overhauled engines and redesigned interiors for American tastes.

Versatile passenger layout: 450 first-class, 250 second-class, 1,500 third-class.

💡 Why It's Engaging:

Highlights America's intent to compete with European liners.

Demonstrates collaboration across continents (Irish craftsmanship meets American ownership).

4. 🏆 The Speedy Agamemnon & Mount Vernon

Twin vessels once dominated transatlantic speeds, holding the Blue Riband.

Known for sleek German design and speed-focused engines.

Post-war refurbishment aimed to modernize interiors while preserving performance.

💡 Why They're Engaging:

Speed symbolizes progress—these liners were the Concorde jets of their era.

Their overhaul process illustrates the challenges of repurposing military assets.

🔍 The Most Interesting Insight: The Leviathan’s Dual Identity

The SS Leviathan stands out not only as the largest ship of the Big Five but as a symbol of both ambition and caution in maritime history.

Before WWI: A German luxury marvel designed to dominate the Atlantic.

During WWI: A troop transport carrying thousands of U.S. soldiers to Europe.

After WWI: A maritime puzzle—too large and expensive for post-war demand.

Its technical prowess was overshadowed by economic concerns, making it a case study in infrastructure management.

👩‍🏫 Relevance Across Audiences

🧑‍🏫 Teachers/Students

Engineering feats: Electrically-welded steam cylinders.

Historical insights: U.S. maritime strategy post-WWI.

🧬 Genealogists

Passenger capacity details help identify immigrant voyages.

🕰️ Historians

Context for American ambition to challenge British maritime dominance.

🚢 Ocean Travel Enthusiasts

Lavish descriptions of ship interiors and passenger accommodations.

🛳️ Final Takeaway: A Legacy of Innovation and Adaptation

The Big Five were more than just ships; they were symbols of America's entry into the global maritime competition. From the luxury of the Leviathan to the practicality of the George Washington, these liners reflect the evolving priorities of a nation bridging wartime needs with peacetime aspirations.

The legacy of these ships—particularly the SS Leviathan—reminds us that even the most advanced technology must align with economic realities to achieve lasting success.