Moore-McCormack
Encyclopedia
The Moore-McCormack Lines was a series of companies operating as shipping line
s, operated by the Moore-McCormack Company, Incorporated later Moore-McCormack Lines, Incorporated and simply Mooremack, founded in 1913 in New York, USA. It ceased trading on its buy-out in 1982. The founders were Albert V. Moore (1880–1953) (Director/President) and Emmet J. McCormack (Director/Treasurer), with Mr Molloy (Director/Secretary).
From a small start with one ship, SS Montara, inaugurating a run from the USA to Brazil
, the shipping line expanded to become a major US line operating around the world.
Moore-McCormack's original offices were at 29 Broadway
(now still a general office building), but were moved in 1919 to 5 Broadway (now Berkshire Bank http://www.berkbank.com).
from Wilmington, Delaware
to Rio de Janeiro
in, Brazil; but, with the load not ready, the ship took coal from Norfolk, Virginia
to Aroostook County, Maine
before returning for the dynamite. The ship was the first US line ship into Brazil in 26 years, causing a sensation. It had been built in 1881, and was retired after this trip.
The company then acquired various small steamers, including a Great Lakes
vessel renamed Mooremack, which were operated profitably during World War I
. Additionally, chartered ships including passenger ships added to the South America
n runs, that by 1919 included Recife
in Pernambuco
, Bahia
, Santos, Montevideo
and Buenos Aires
.
and India
. Runs were established, briefly, to Ireland, but ended by 1925. Ships also went into the Mediterranean, and to Black Sea
ports including Russia
n, the first American-flag ships to Soviet ports.
In 1928, Vice President Robert C. Lee
negotiated for Mooremack to become shipping agents for the Soviet Union
using the American Scantic Line, having bought the line from the US Government. He later negotiated with the government of Poland
for Moremack to be part of the establishment of Gdynia
as Poland's sea port. This also led to the establishment of trade from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria through Gdynia in competition with German
ports, which was a factor in the German invasion of Czechoslovakia and Poland at the outbreak of World War II.
and designed to carry 150 passengers. Thus, Rio Hudson, Rio Parana, Rio de la Plata, and Rio de Janiero became Royal Navy
Avenger class aircraft carrier
s , , , and . Trade increased after the outbreak of the European war and Mooremack shifted some 20 million tons of cargo destined that that theatre, including whole trains for Russia.
The USA's entry into World War II
brought various opportunities for Moremack, along with many of its ships being taken into US Navy service.
In 1949 Mooremack repaid a government loan subsidising the South American services, and repaid its mortgages, thus essentially owning its fleet.
. Notably, its cargo ship ship Merideth Victory rescued some 14,000 refugees from Hungnam
in December 1950
included American Republic Line, American Scantic Line, and Pacific Republics Line.
Shipping line
-History of shipping lines:Large-scale shipping lines became widespread in the nineteenth century, after the development of the steamship in 1783. At first, Great Britain was the centr of development; in 1819, the first steamship crossing of the Atlantic Ocean took place and by 1833, shipping lines...
s, operated by the Moore-McCormack Company, Incorporated later Moore-McCormack Lines, Incorporated and simply Mooremack, founded in 1913 in New York, USA. It ceased trading on its buy-out in 1982. The founders were Albert V. Moore (1880–1953) (Director/President) and Emmet J. McCormack (Director/Treasurer), with Mr Molloy (Director/Secretary).
From a small start with one ship, SS Montara, inaugurating a run from the USA to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, the shipping line expanded to become a major US line operating around the world.
Moore-McCormack's original offices were at 29 Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
(now still a general office building), but were moved in 1919 to 5 Broadway (now Berkshire Bank http://www.berkbank.com).
1913–1919 (World War 1)
Moore-McCormack Lines' first run was with Montara, intended to be a shipment of dynamiteDynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
from Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
in, Brazil; but, with the load not ready, the ship took coal from Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
to Aroostook County, Maine
Aroostook County, Maine
Aroostook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 71,870. In land area, it is the largest county in the state and the largest U.S. county east of the Mississippi River. Its seat is Houlton...
before returning for the dynamite. The ship was the first US line ship into Brazil in 26 years, causing a sensation. It had been built in 1881, and was retired after this trip.
The company then acquired various small steamers, including a Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
vessel renamed Mooremack, which were operated profitably during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Additionally, chartered ships including passenger ships added to the South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n runs, that by 1919 included Recife
Recife
Recife is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 5th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital and largest city of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper...
in Pernambuco
Pernambuco
Pernambuco is a state of Brazil, located in the Northeast region of the country. To the north are the states of Paraíba and Ceará, to the west is Piauí, to the south are Alagoas and Bahia, and to the east is the Atlantic Ocean. There are about of beaches, some of the most beautiful in the...
, Bahia
Salvador, Bahia
Salvador is the largest city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival. The first...
, Santos, Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
and Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
.
Inter-war years
After the war, the US government offered surplus ships to US shipping companies. Mooremack received several ships, which expanded its fleet and opportunities for trade, including in 1920 and 1921 to the LevantLevant
The Levant or ) is the geographic region and culture zone of the "eastern Mediterranean littoral between Anatolia and Egypt" . The Levant includes most of modern Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and sometimes parts of Turkey and Iraq, and corresponds roughly to the...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Runs were established, briefly, to Ireland, but ended by 1925. Ships also went into the Mediterranean, and to Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
ports including Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n, the first American-flag ships to Soviet ports.
In 1928, Vice President Robert C. Lee
Robert C. Lee
Robert Corwin Lee was Vice President of the Moore-McCormack Lines shipping company, and an officer of the US Navy achieving the rank of Rear Admiral in the US Naval Reserve.-Family:...
negotiated for Mooremack to become shipping agents for the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
using the American Scantic Line, having bought the line from the US Government. He later negotiated with the government of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
for Moremack to be part of the establishment of Gdynia
Gdynia
Gdynia is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland and an important seaport of Gdańsk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk and suburban communities, which together...
as Poland's sea port. This also led to the establishment of trade from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria through Gdynia in competition with German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
ports, which was a factor in the German invasion of Czechoslovakia and Poland at the outbreak of World War II.
1938 consolidation
On 8 September 1938, there was a consolidation of nine companies within the group to become Moore-McCormack Lines, Incorporated, capitalized at US$4.8m. The South American ships were named the Good Neighbor Fleet.World War II
From 1936, the US Government had been backing the expansion of US flag shipping. Mooremack had begin a building program, but as the war began four of its C-3 class ships were requisitioned. These were "Rio" class ships of 17,600 tons displacementDisplacement (ship)
A ship's displacement is its weight at any given time, generally expressed in metric tons or long tons. The term is often used to mean the ship's weight when it is loaded to its maximum capacity. A number of synonymous terms exist for this maximum weight, such as loaded displacement, full load...
and designed to carry 150 passengers. Thus, Rio Hudson, Rio Parana, Rio de la Plata, and Rio de Janiero became Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Avenger class aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
s , , , and . Trade increased after the outbreak of the European war and Mooremack shifted some 20 million tons of cargo destined that that theatre, including whole trains for Russia.
The USA's entry into World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
brought various opportunities for Moremack, along with many of its ships being taken into US Navy service.
- SS Mooremacstar became
Post-war
The aftermath of the war had Mooremack owning 41 ships and in 1946 76 chartered ships from the Maritime Commission.In 1949 Mooremack repaid a government loan subsidising the South American services, and repaid its mortgages, thus essentially owning its fleet.
Korean War
Mooremack was involved in the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. Notably, its cargo ship ship Merideth Victory rescued some 14,000 refugees from Hungnam
Hungnam
Hŭngnam was the third largest city in North Korea.It is a port city on the eastern coast, in South Hamgyong Province, on the Sea of Japan . The city covers an area of 250 square kilometers...
in December 1950
The end
The McLean Lines bought out Mooremack in December 1982, after the energy crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s meant that shipping costs had become unsustainable for the company.Operating companies
Mooremack's operating subsidiariesSubsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
included American Republic Line, American Scantic Line, and Pacific Republics Line.
Notable people
Notable officials and people associated with Mooremack include:- Albert V. Moore (1880–1953), Founding Director/President
- (son) William T. Moore, President and later also Chairman of the Board
- Emmet J. McCormack, Founding Director/Treasurer
- Robert C. LeeRobert C. LeeRobert Corwin Lee was Vice President of the Moore-McCormack Lines shipping company, and an officer of the US Navy achieving the rank of Rear Admiral in the US Naval Reserve.-Family:...
, Vice President
External links
- Moore-McCormack homage site
- The Death of Albert V. Moore "The Mooremack News," Spring 1953
- Ocean Liner Museum - history of Moore-McCormack Lines
- Timetable Images - Moore-McCormack Lines
- Timetable Images - American Scantic Lines