Barber Steamship Lines


Barber Steamship Lines was founded in 1902 as Barber & Company Inc. and also operated the New York & Oriental Steamship Company. In 1928 Barber Steamship Lines operated the American West African Line. In 1945 Barber Steamship Lines was renamed the Wilhelmsen Lines, as it was acquired by Wilh. Wilhelmsen, a Norwegian company, later was renamed again to Barber International. American West African Line was closed in 1946, now part of Barber Steamship Lines. Barber Steamship Lines operated in the Far East and then around the World with Wilh. Wilhelmsen ships. Barber Steamship Lines also operated ships of British James Chambers & Company, Norwegian Fearnley & Eger Company and A. F. Klaveness & Co.

American West African Line

During World War II the American West African Line was active with charter shipping with the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. After World War II American West African Line purchased some of the low-cost surplus ships. During wartime, the American West African Line line operated Victory ships and Liberty ships.

Ships

Richard Bland
Richard D. Spaight
Harvard Victory
Felix Riesenberg
Frank Adair Monroe
Benjamin H. Bristow
Bushrod Washington
James A. Farrell
James K. Polk
James M. Goodhue
Jared Ingersoll
Jeremiah M. Daily
Jeremiah Wadsworth
Thomas Hooker
Vernon L. Parrington
John R. McQuigg
Edward L. Grant
Julia Ward Howe
Oakley Wood
Arthur P. Davis
  • SS Matt W. Ransom
  • SS West Nohno
  • SS Empire Eland
  • Bigorange XVIII
  • Bigorange XVIII
  • Danae
  • Franconia
  • Talnati
  • Tamesis
  • Tamesis
  • Taronga
  • Tender
  • Champion
  • Themis
  • Tourcoing
  • Tourcoing
  • Tønsberg
  • Tønsberg
  • MV Taiko
  • MV Tricolor
  • MV Tampa