The American Mail Line: A Trans-Pacific Steamship Legacy (1920-1938)

American Mail Line President Liners Services and Table of Mileage, 22 September 1934. GGA Image ID # 21fd6e2ae3. Click to View a Larger Image.

The American Mail Line was a steamship line that ran between Seattle, Washington, and the Far East.

It was created in 1920, the then-rival Dollar's holdings included five vessels operated under the name of Admiral Line, along with a half-million-dollar investment in the American Mail Line, the fifth-largest company on the West Coast.

The American Mail Line continued to operate with a temporary subsidy until June 1938 and then discontinued regular services.

American Mail Line - And their affiliate Dollar Steamship Lines operated Trans-Pacific Routes, primarily from China and Japan to Canada and the United States.

In 1910 the Dollar Steamship Co. was reorganized under the title of the Dollar Steamship Lines, a subsidiary of the Dollar line. In 1922, the Dollar family gained control of Admiral Oriental, changing its name to American Mail Line in 1926.

The American Mail Line operated Trans-Pacific Steamship Routes between the ports of Seattle, Victoria, Yokohama, Kobe, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila, Honolulu, and many others. The Dollar Steamship Lines and American Mail Line offered Joint Service on many routes.

The lines operating out of the Pacific Northwest region suffered severely by the cancellation of the ocean-mail contracts, for they lacked means of support.

The American Mail Line continued to operate with a temporary subsidy until June 1938 and then discontinued regular services. Only the Dollar Line, running on reduced schedules pending reorganization, served the California region after 1937.

Recap & Summary: American Mail Line Archival Collection

The American Mail Line was a Trans-Pacific shipping company that played a significant role in U.S. trade and travel with the Far East during the early 20th century. Operating from Seattle, Washington, to ports in China, Japan, the Philippines, and Canada, the line was crucial for cargo transport, mail services, and passenger travel between North America and Asia.

Originally part of Dollar Steamship Lines, the American Mail Line operated under different corporate structures before discontinuing regular service in 1938. This archival collection provides historical documentation, including passenger lists, vintage menus, and route maps, offering genealogists, historians, and maritime enthusiasts valuable insights into the Golden Age of Trans-Pacific steamship travel.

 

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1. The Rise of the American Mail Line

Origins & Expansion

• The American Mail Line was established in 1920, evolving from the Admiral Line (formerly Admiral Oriental) after the Dollar Steamship Company gained control.
• Its primary purpose was to provide mail and passenger services across the Pacific Ocean, operating routes between Seattle, Victoria (Canada), Yokohama, Kobe, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila, and Honolulu.
• It functioned as a subsidiary of the Dollar Line, one of the largest steamship companies on the West Coast, which also controlled the famous Dollar Steamship Lines.
• The American Mail Line and Dollar Steamship Lines jointly operated services, expanding Trans-Pacific commerce and travel between the U.S. and Asia.

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• The American Mail Line played a key role in strengthening U.S.-Asia trade, helping to establish Seattle as a major Pacific port.
• Its routes connected East and West, fostering economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Far East.

 

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2. The Challenges & Decline of the American Mail Line

Despite its initial success, the American Mail Line faced financial struggles, mainly due to:

• Loss of U.S. government ocean mail contracts, which had provided crucial financial subsidies.
• Great Depression economic downturn, which reduced passenger and cargo demand.
• Increased competition from other Trans-Pacific carriers.

By 1938, the American Mail Line discontinued regular service, leaving only the Dollar Line running limited routes.

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• The decline of the American Mail Line highlights the financial instability of steamship companies relying on government subsidies.
• It reflects how economic shifts and changing global trade patterns impacted the U.S. shipping industry.

 

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3. Notable Ships & Their Legacy

The American Mail Line fleet consisted of modern steamships, including the SS President Jackson, which is well-documented in this archival collection.

SS President Jackson (1930s)

• One of the main passenger and cargo steamers operating on the Seattle-Far East route.
• Transported mail, cargo, and travelers between the U.S., Japan, China, and the Philippines.
• Key records in this collection include:
  • Passenger lists from voyages between Kobe, Yokohama, Seattle, and Victoria (1934).
  • Dinner menus featuring luxurious multi-course meals (1930-1935).
  • Route maps showcasing the major trade and travel hubs of the Pacific.

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• The SS President Jackson’s voyages offer insights into Trans-Pacific travel trends in the early 20th century.
• The dinner menus reflect the international fusion of American and Asian cuisine, catering to a diverse mix of passengers.

 

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4. Passenger Experience: A Glimpse into Trans-Pacific Travel

Dining on Board

The dinner menus from 1930-1935 provide a fascinating look at the culinary experience on American Mail Line steamers.

1930-10-27 SS President Jackson Dinner Menu

• Featured dishes:
  • Poached Black Cod, Normande Sauce
  • Prime Ribs of Beef au Jus with Browned Potatoes
  • Cottage Pudding, Lemon Sauce
• Includes a route map on the back, detailing ports of call in Asia and North America.

 

1935-02-16 SS President Jackson Dinner Menu

• Featured dishes:
  • Poached Red Snapper, Mustard Sauce
  • Yeoung Chow Wor Mein, Canton Style
  • Boston Cream Pie for dessert

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• The menus highlight a blend of Western and Asian cuisine, catering to American business travelers, tourists, and Asian passengers returning home.
• The inclusion of Chinese dishes on the menu reflects the cultural exchange between the U.S. and Asia.

 

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5. Historical Significance & Lasting Impact

Contributions to Trans-Pacific Trade & Migration

• The American Mail Line facilitated the movement of people and goods between the U.S. and Asia, strengthening Seattle’s role as a major Pacific port.
• The passenger manifests from 1934 provide valuable genealogical data, helping researchers trace migration patterns between Asia and North America.

A Reflection of Changing Global Trade & Diplomacy

• The rise and fall of the American Mail Line mirrors the economic shifts of the 1920s and 1930s, including the Great Depression’s impact on maritime industries.
• The steamship line’s discontinuation in 1938 foreshadowed the decline of U.S.-based Trans-Pacific passenger travel, later replaced by air travel and modern container shipping.

🔹 Why it’s interesting:

• This collection offers primary-source materials on an often-overlooked chapter in U.S. maritime history.
• The menus, passenger lists, and route maps provide a vivid snapshot of Trans-Pacific life in the 1930s.

 

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6. Who Would Find This Collection Valuable?

✅ Genealogists – The passenger lists provide valuable family history records for those researching Asian-American migration.
✅ Historians & Educators – The collection reveals important insights into U.S.-Asia relations, maritime trade, and travel trends.
✅ Maritime Enthusiasts – A detailed look at one of the West Coast’s major steamship lines, with records of ship operations, menus, and crew information.

 

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Conclusion: The American Mail Line’s Place in Maritime History

Though short-lived, the American Mail Line played a vital role in early Trans-Pacific commerce and migration. Its ships connected Seattle to the Far East, transporting mail, passengers, and goods at a time when ocean travel was essential for business and diplomacy.

This archival collection preserves the memory of this forgotten steamship line, offering historical artifacts that paint a picture of 1930s maritime life. Whether tracing family history, researching trade routes, or exploring Pacific Northwest maritime heritage, this collection serves as a valuable window into an era when ships were the lifeline between America and Asia.