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Quiz about American Passenger Shipping Civil War to 1941

American Passenger Shipping : Civil War to 1941 Quiz

Millions of immigrants arrived at Ellis Island on European ships ... or did they? Is that your final answer? Fifteen multiple-choice questions.

A multiple-choice quiz by ignotus. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
ignotus

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
213,621

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
8 / 15

Plays
246

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Millions of immigrants landed in New York City on their way to a new life. When was Ellis Island first opened as an immigration station? Hint

1876 - on July 4th, in fact!

Actually, never: immigrants landed on Ellis Island but the station was on Bedloe's Island.

1865.

1892.

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Question 2 of 15

2. In 1892, the SS New York and SS Paris began American-flag express passenger service across the Atlantic - but it took an Act of Congress because these ships were: Hint

Too fast for the speed limits of the Port of New York.

Converted Navy supply ships.

Not built in the United States.

Built with federal loans.

3. By the early years of the 20th century, there were very few American-flag passenger ships on the Atlantic. Yet, an American-financed business controlled many European shipping lines. This organization was: Hint

International Mercantile Marine, part of the J.P. Morgan empire.

The Shipping Trust, owned by the Vanderbilt family.

The United States Lines, a subsidiary of U.S. Steel.

Standard Oil, which also controlled the marine fuels business.

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Question 4 of 15

4. After buying control of the White Star Line in 1902, American investors could not acquire the Cunard Line. What stopped them? Hint

The Cunard family would not sell at any price.

The Sherman Antitrust Act.

Cunard declared bankruptcy.

An agreement between Cunard and the British government.

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Question 5 of 15

5. During the 1920s, the SS Leviathan was the largest American-flag passenger ship on the seas. This was unusual because: Hint

Most of her crew were Canadians.

She was registered in Liberia, and actually flew two flags.

She was built in Germany.

She was fairly small: about 32,000 tons displacement, give or take.

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Question 6 of 15

6. Give and take: SS Leviathan once lost about 11,000 tons. What happened to her? (HINT to porthole-counters: I'm not saying whether that's gross register tonnage or displacement.) Hint

Physically, nothing: she was re-measured to save money on harbor charges and the like.

She was converted to oil fuel, which reduced the weight of her powerplant.

She dropped her propellers, and had to be towed back to New York.

Her steerage accommodations were removed when U.S. immigration laws changed.

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Question 7 of 15

7. For a time during the "Roaring Twenties", the Leviathan offered her passengers something very special indeed: Hint

Air conditioning in all first class cabins - how comfortable!

A branch of Macy's department store - how convenient!

One-class transatlantic service - how egalitarian!

Over a dozen brands of mineral water but no alcohol - how dry!

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Question 8 of 15

8. Captain Dollar founded a shipping line in 1900, to haul lumber. He added passenger service a few years later. In 1923, he began to name ships after American Presidents. What was the name of this shipping line, at least until 1938? (HINT to porthole-counters: the date is important.) Hint

That's easy - the American President Line.

That's easy - the Dollar Line.

That's easy - the Lumber Line.

That's unfair - you made it up; nobody is named Captain Dollar!

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Question 9 of 15

9. This line's service between the West Coast and Hawaii included ships named the Maui, Malolo, Monterey, Mariposa and ... Lurline? Ah yes, the lovely Lurline. Which line owned these ships? Hint

The Matson Navigation Company ("Matson Line")

Moore-McCormick Line ("Red M Line")

Maui Steam Navigation Company ("Maui Line")

The Lurline Line ("Big L Line")

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Question 10 of 15

10. The infamous Morro Castle and her sister-ship Oriente weren't "SS"s: they were "TEL"s. What do the initials "TEL" stand for? Hint

Transatlantic Express Liner - though they weren't very fast.

The Elegant Liner - a publicist's fantasy.

Turbo-Electric Liner - a powerplant pioneered by American engineers.

Total Electric Lighting - among the first ships to offer it.

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Question 11 of 15

11. Why is the Morro Castle sometimes called "infamous"? Hint

Al Capone used her as a floating headquarters in the 1920s.

She carried refugees from Nazi Germany but was refused permission to land them in the U.S.

She ran guns to Cuban insurgents.

She sank within sight of the New Jersey coast.

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Question 12 of 15

12. George Washington (1909), Columbus (1922), President Grant (1907), President Lincoln (1907) ... these American-sounding passenger ships were built in: Hint

Canada.

Germany.

Great Britain.

Japan - with the addition of the word "Maru" to their names.

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Question 13 of 15

13. The Leviathan briefly claimed to be the fastest passenger liner in the world, but she cheated. Hint

She was aided by six tugboats. Thanks, Moran Towing!

She used the extra push of the Gulf Stream. Thanks, King Neptune!

She was running "light"during the Depression, with almost no passengers. Thanks, Herbert Hoover!

The Ambrose Lightship (the starting line) was moved 200 miles east for her "record" crossing. Thanks, Coast Guard!

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Question 14 of 15

14. The SS United States was preceded by a smaller, slower but similar-looking ship that entered service in 1940. She was the: Hint

SS Manhattan

SS Columbia

SS Washington

SS America

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Question 15 of 15

15. A luxurious vessel on her maiden voyage is in danger of sinking hundreds of miles from land. The sea is calm but empty. SOS is transmitted. Abandon ship! The band plays jazz to prevent panic. But ... the Chief Steward packs the lifeboats with roast chicken, fine wines and goodies from the galley. Within two hours, everyone is safely aboard the boats. About five hours later, a rescue ship arrives. On reaching port, the passengers are whisked away in limousines provided by the shipping line. No lives are lost; no one is seriously injured. It's not 1912, not the Atlantic, and she's definitely not the Titanic. It's 1922, in the Pacific, and she's the: Hint

SS President Wilson

SS City of Los Angeles

SS City of Honolulu

SS California

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Millions of immigrants landed in New York City on their way to a new life. When was Ellis Island first opened as an immigration station?

Answer: 1892.

1892 may seem late, but it's accurate. Before Ellis Island, immigrants were processed at Castle Garden in Manhattan. Ellis Island has been partially restored. It offers a fascinating and emotional experience for visitors.

2. In 1892, the SS New York and SS Paris began American-flag express passenger service across the Atlantic - but it took an Act of Congress because these ships were:

Answer: Not built in the United States.

For over a century, U.S. law has required that American-flag vessels be built in American shipyards, unless Congress grants an exemption. SS (City of) New York and (City of) Paris were built in Great Britain. Congress allowed them to be re-flagged, but required that two new ships of equal size and speed be built in the United States - those "genuine" American ships were the St. Louis and St. Paul.

Answer: International Mercantile Marine, part of the J.P. Morgan empire.

IMM controlled the White Star Line, among others. It standardized rates and fares, reducing what the robber barons of the day called "destructive competition." IMM retained foreign status for its companies, in order to avoid American antitrust laws and regulations.

4. After buying control of the White Star Line in 1902, American investors could not acquire the Cunard Line. What stopped them?

Answer: An agreement between Cunard and the British government.

The Cunard Line used the threat of an American buy-out to obtain aid from Parliament. The British government financed construction of the Lusitania and Mauretania. In exchange, Cunard agreed to remain a British-controlled company, among other concessions.

5. During the 1920s, the SS Leviathan was the largest American-flag passenger ship on the seas. This was unusual because:

Answer: She was built in Germany.

Leviathan was the former "Vaterland" of the Hamburg-Amerika Line (HAPAG), seized as a war prize and given to the United States after World War I. The Americans spent more on re-fitting her than she originally cost to build. In the 1920s, the Leviathan was close to being the largest ship in the world, depending on who did the measuring.

6. Give and take: SS Leviathan once lost about 11,000 tons. What happened to her? (HINT to porthole-counters: I'm not saying whether that's gross register tonnage or displacement.)

Answer: Physically, nothing: she was re-measured to save money on harbor charges and the like.

Her gross register tonnage (interior volume) was re-measured per American standards. American measurement typically included only the hull, whereas British measurement included the superstructure as well. Leviathan's third-class (and below) areas were refitted, and she received a new powerplant, but that work didn't significantly affect her g.r.t. and displacement.

7. For a time during the "Roaring Twenties", the Leviathan offered her passengers something very special indeed:

Answer: Over a dozen brands of mineral water but no alcohol - how dry!

Even when Prohibition was enforced on the American flagship, it was said that the ship's doctor dispensed "medicinal spirits" - but you didn't hear it from me, buddy.

Answer: That's easy - the Dollar Line.

The company was known as The Dollar Line until 1938, when it was taken over by the U.S. government and re-named the American President Lines. As the Dollar Line, "$" was painted on the funnels.

9. This line's service between the West Coast and Hawaii included ships named the Maui, Malolo, Monterey, Mariposa and ... Lurline? Ah yes, the lovely Lurline. Which line owned these ships?

Answer: The Matson Navigation Company ("Matson Line")

There was also the SS Matsonia -- but that would have made the question too easy. The line often re-named its ships: the Monterey (1932) became the Matsonia (1957) and then Lurline (1963) -- but that would have been too difficult. In the 1920s, Matson also opened the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

10. The infamous Morro Castle and her sister-ship Oriente weren't "SS"s: they were "TEL"s. What do the initials "TEL" stand for?

Answer: Turbo-Electric Liner - a powerplant pioneered by American engineers.

In turbo-electric drive, turbines generate electricity for electric motors which turn the propellers. Turbo-electric drive was also used in some large U.S. naval vessels. A new version is being used today, with modern electric-drive propulsion pods.

11. Why is the Morro Castle sometimes called "infamous"?

Answer: She sank within sight of the New Jersey coast.

She burned and sank after her captain was found dead in his cabin. Foul play? Perhaps; we'll never know for sure.

12. George Washington (1909), Columbus (1922), President Grant (1907), President Lincoln (1907) ... these American-sounding passenger ships were built in:

Answer: Germany.

The Germans had a penchant for American ship names. Did I mention the SS Milwaukee and SS Cincinnati? The Washington, Grant and Lincoln were seized by the U.S. during World War I and used as troop transports.

13. The Leviathan briefly claimed to be the fastest passenger liner in the world, but she cheated.

Answer: She used the extra push of the Gulf Stream. Thanks, King Neptune!

William Francis Gibbs superintended the re-fitting of Leviathan (fomerly the "Vaterland") after World War I. The work included new engines. Thereafter, she made her trials in the Gulf Stream - going "downstream." She never approached Mauretania's record on an actual Atlantic crossing. Gibbs would win his Riband later ...

14. The SS United States was preceded by a smaller, slower but similar-looking ship that entered service in 1940. She was the:

Answer: SS America

The America was a handsome vessel, with a long career under several names and flags. Unlike the SS United States, there was no legal prohibition against selling the America to foreign owners - and she was sold and resold. The Manhattan and Washington were real ships, but they looked very different from United States and America.

Answer: SS City of Honolulu

Newspapers dubbed it the "shipwreck de luxe." The City of Honolulu and City of Los Angeles, formerly German ships, were re-fitted for first-class service between those two cities. The passengers were initially rescued by a freighter, and were transferred to a U.S. Army transport for the voyage to California - hope they took their picnic baskets!

Source: Author ignotus

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