American Export Lines: A Legacy of Transatlantic and Mediterranean Voyages

The Export Steamship Company, formed in 1919, was renamed the American Export Lines five years later. The American Export Lines operated in various corporate formations from 1919 to 1977. They offered both Cargo and Passenger services between New York and the Mediterranean, principally Gibraltar, Cannes, Genoa and Naples.

Other names this steamship line operated as included Export Steamship Corporation, American Export Steamship Corporation, American Export Lines and American Export - Isbrandtsen Lines.

AMERICAN EXPORT LINES provides some 200 scheduled sailings each year from U. S. Norah Atlantic ports. . . featuring big, speedy, modern liners that ply the Sunlane across the Atlantic, where the weather is mild all year 'round. The luxurious, fully sir conditioned Sun-Liners nnd the well-equipped freighters of American Export Lines, serving their routes regularly and frequently, are an unbeatable combination.

S.S. INDEPENDENCE and S.S. CONSTITUTION — 29.500 tons. 22 1/2 knots. Frequent sailings to Gibraltar, Cannes, Genoa, and Naples. Express passenger and freight service.

THE 4 ACES (Excalibur, Exochorda, Exeter, and Excambion) -- Popular, one-class combination passenger-cargo vessels. Sailings every two weeks to Barcelona. Marseilles. Naples. Alexandria. Beirut. Iskenderun. Latakia. Piraeus. Leghorn, and Genoa.

The Excalibur's entry into service marks resumption of a service that was interrupted by war in 1940. The original Four Aces, which had run in the service from 1930, were requisitioned for war service as United States troop transports.

Three became victims of enemy action and the fourth, no longer fit for passenger service at the war’s end, was disposed of by the government.

The new units, each of which will accommodate 125 passengers in first class only, are undergoing finishing touches at the Bethlehem Steel Company’s New York shipyards. (July 27, 1948 Naval Institute Proceedings p.1323)

30 MODERN FAST CARGO-CARRYING SHIPS IN ALL serving the entire Mediterranean... Spain, Portugal. North Africa. Black Sea, Red Sea, India, Pakistan, Ceylon, and Burma.

Ships and Ocean Liners Archival Collections

🛳️ SS Excambion 1938 Passage Receipt – New York to Naples on the Eve of WWII

An American Woman’s Journey from New York to Naples on the Eve of Global Upheaval 🌍🧳

This 1938 Passenger’s Receipt and Contract for Mrs. F. Garner Bishop aboard the SS Excambion offers a rich case study in interwar transatlantic travel, wrapped in the historical and economic context of pre-WWII Europe. Issued by American Export Lines, the document captures more than a travel arrangement—it reveals maritime culture, regulatory detail, and personal mobility in a world just months from radical change.

Advertisements from the American Export Lines

American Export Lines 1957 Advertisement "A Voyage to Remember, the SS Constitution and SS Independence. Scene from 20th Century-Fox's production of Leo McCarey's "AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER" co-starring CARY GRANT and DEBORAH KERR, which takes place aboard the s.s. Constitution. A Jerry Wald Production in CinemaScope. Color by Deluxe. GGA Image ID # 15f57df6b4

A Voyage to Remember

A Sunlane Cruise to Europe this Fall or Winter can be your voyage to remember. For as little as $535 in Cabin Class or $685 in First, you can sail aboard the great Independence or Constitution for a luxurious 3-week round trip to the Mediterranean!

The Independence and Constitution will be sailing from New York approximately every two weeks all this Fall and early Winter through January. You'll have time to visit ashore at 3 to 8 ports, such as Canary Islands, Casablanca, Barcelona, Cannes, Genoa, Naples, Tangier, Madeira.

At sea there's fun, glamour, relaxation! And you'll have an air conditioned stateroom, private bathroom with shower, enjoy absolutely unsurpassed cuisine. For complete information and illustrated literature, see your Travel Agent or write to American Export Lines, New York.

Books Referencing the American Export Line

Recap & Summary: American Export Lines Archival Collection

The American Export Lines was a premier American shipping company operating transatlantic passenger and cargo routes between New York and the Mediterranean from 1919 to 1977. Renowned for its luxurious ocean liners, efficient freight services, and wartime contributions, the company played a crucial role in connecting the U.S. with Southern Europe, North Africa, and beyond.

This archival collection offers a rich historical insight into the ships, passengers, advertisements, and operations of American Export Lines, providing invaluable resources for maritime historians, genealogists, collectors, and enthusiasts of classic ocean travel.

 

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1. The Evolution of American Export Lines

Origins and Name Changes

• Founded in 1919 as the Export Steamship Company, primarily focused on cargo transport.
• In 1924, it was rebranded as American Export Lines, expanding to passenger services.
• Over the decades, it operated under different names, including:
  • Export Steamship Corporation
  • American Export Steamship Corporation
  • American Export - Isbrandtsen Lines (after merging with Isbrandtsen Co. in the 1960s).

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• Unlike most Atlantic-focused steamship companies, American Export Lines specialized in Mediterranean routes, connecting the U.S. to Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
• Its ability to adapt and expand, from cargo to luxury cruises, reflects its versatility in maritime commerce.

 

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2. Notable Ships of American Export Lines

The fleet of American Export Lines included some of the most iconic and innovative vessels in transatlantic travel.

Flagship Liners

• SS Independence (1950) & SS Constitution (1951)
  • Luxury passenger liners, sailing between New York, Gibraltar, Cannes, Genoa, and Naples.
  • Featured in the classic film "An Affair to Remember" (1957), adding to their cultural significance.
  • Provided elite accommodations with air conditioning, private baths, and gourmet dining.

The "Four Aces" (1930s & 1940s)

• SS Excalibur, SS Exochorda, SS Exeter, SS Excambion
  • Combination passenger-cargo ships serving Spain, France, Italy, Egypt, Greece, and beyond.
  • The original fleet was requisitioned for WWII, and three were lost to enemy action.
  • A new generation of Four Aces was built in 1948, modernized for post-war transatlantic travel.

Cargo & Freighter Fleet

• Operated 30 modern fast cargo ships, covering an extensive global network, including:
  • Spain, Portugal, North Africa, the Black Sea, Red Sea, India, Pakistan, Ceylon, and Burma.

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• SS Constitution & SS Independence were among the last great American ocean liners, symbolizing post-war prosperity and luxury travel.
• The Four Aces fleet highlights the company’s dual focus on passengers and cargo, essential for its long-term success.
• The fleet’s wartime service and sacrifices reflect its importance beyond commercial travel.

 

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3. The American Export Lines Passenger Experience

American Export Lines catered to both luxury travelers and immigrants, offering a variety of accommodations and services.

First-Class Luxury on the SS Independence & SS Constitution

• Spacious air-conditioned staterooms with private bathrooms.
• Fine dining featuring gourmet cuisine, comparable to the top hotels of the era.
• Elegant lounges, social clubs, and entertainment onboard.
• Frequent port visits for extended stays in Mediterranean destinations.

Affordable Transatlantic Travel on the "Four Aces" Ships

• One-class cabins, offering a more economical option for travelers.
• Small, intimate ship atmosphere with personalized service.
• Routes through major European and Middle Eastern cities, making them ideal for business and immigration travel.

Marketing & Advertising

• The 1957 campaign "A Voyage to Remember" promoted the Sunlane Cruises, offering:
  • Three-week Mediterranean voyages for as low as $535 (Cabin Class) or $685 (First Class).
  • Stops in Canary Islands, Casablanca, Barcelona, Cannes, Genoa, Naples, Tangier, and Madeira.

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• The "Sunlane" cruises provided a unique warm-weather alternative to traditional North Atlantic crossings.
• The advertising campaigns were glamorous and aspirational, appealing to post-war affluent American travelers.
• The Four Aces’ one-class system foreshadowed the modern cruise industry’s focus on inclusive travel experiences.

 

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4. Wartime Contributions & Strategic Importance

During World War II, the Four Aces ships were requisitioned as troop transports, demonstrating the company’s strategic value.

• Three of the original Four Aces ships were lost to enemy action.
• Other American Export vessels played vital roles in military supply chains.
• After the war, the fleet was rebuilt, reinforcing the company’s resilience.

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• Many luxury passenger liners became wartime troop carriers, showcasing their versatility and adaptability.
• The company’s wartime sacrifices mirror the larger impact of maritime transport in global conflicts.

 

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5. Legacy and Decline of American Export Lines

Post-War Prosperity (1950s-1960s)

• Boom in transatlantic travel fueled demand for ocean liners and cargo services.
• The company remained a dominant force in Mediterranean shipping.

Challenges & Decline (1970s)

• Rise of air travel drastically reduced demand for transatlantic crossings.
• Increased competition from containerized shipping impacted cargo revenues.
• In 1977, the company ceased operations, marking the end of an era.

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• The transition from ocean liners to air travel reshaped the industry, making companies like American Export Lines historical relics of a bygone travel era.
• The merging and disappearance of historic shipping lines reflects changing global transportation trends.

 

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6. Why This Collection is Important

This archival collection serves as a treasure trove of maritime history, preserving rare passenger lists, advertisements, ship histories, and memorabilia.

Who Can Benefit from This Collection?

✅ Genealogists – Passenger lists and travel documents provide vital records for family history research.
✅ Maritime Historians – Insight into U.S. shipping operations, wartime roles, and luxury ocean travel.
✅ Collectors & Enthusiasts – Vintage brochures, tickets, and advertisements showcase the golden age of transatlantic travel.
✅ Educators & Students – A window into 20th-century transportation history, immigration, and American commerce.

 

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Conclusion: A Legacy of Innovation and Elegance

From its humble beginnings as a cargo carrier in 1919 to its golden age of transatlantic luxury travel, American Export Lines was a powerhouse in maritime history.

• It connected the U.S. to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, fostering trade, tourism, and immigration.
• It pioneered the "Sunlane" cruises, offering an alternative to the North Atlantic’s colder crossings.
• Its wartime sacrifices and resilience showcased its strategic importance.
• Its decline mirrors the global shift from ocean liners to air travel, marking the end of a golden era.

The American Export Lines was a pioneering force in transatlantic and Mediterranean travel, offering a blend of luxury, efficiency, and global commerce. From the majestic SS Constitution and SS Independence to the practical and reliable Four Aces, the company set the standard for ocean travel before the rise of commercial aviation.

Through its influence in both passenger travel and cargo shipping, the American Export Lines bridged continents, cultures, and economies, leaving behind a rich maritime legacy that lives on through archival collections, historical records, and fond memories of a bygone era.