American Export Lines History and Ephemera
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.
American Export Lines Ephemera
1932-06-28 SS Exeter Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: One
- Date of Departure: 28 June 1932
- Route: New York to Alexandria via Gibraltar, Marseilles, Jaffa, Haifa, Beirut, and Naples
- Commander: Captain C.C. Decker
1936-03-24 SS Exeter Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: One
- Date of Departure: 13 April 1936
- Route: Beirut for Boston and New York
- Commander: Captain S. F. Ransone
1938-01-18 Passage Contract - New York to Naples - SS Excambion
Passenger's Receipt and Contract for passage on the SS Excambion of the American Export Lines for a voyage departing from New York to Naples on 18 January 1938 for an American adult woman.
1938-03-18 Passage Contract Genoa to New York - SS Excalibur
Passenger's Receipt and Contract for passage on the SS Excalibur of the American Export Lines for a voyage departing from Genoa to New York on 18 March 1938 for an American adult woman.
1938-03-18 SS Excalibur Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: One
- Date of Departure: 18 March 1938
- Route: Genoa to New York
- Commander: Captain S. N. Groves
1948-04-27 Passage Contract -- Alexandria to New York -- SS Vulcania
Passage Receipt and transportation contract for passage on the SS Vulcania of the Italia Line sailing 1 May 1948 from Alexandria to New York for a 24-year-old American male from Dallas, Texas. American Export Line was acting as a general agent of Italia S.A.N., Genoa.
1952-03-01 SS Constitution Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First Class
- Date of Departure: 1 March 1952
- Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
- Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
1952-10-27 SS Independence Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: Cabin
- Date of Departure: 27 October 1952
- Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
- Commander: Captain Hugh L. Switzer
1953-08-02 SS Independence Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: Cabin
- Date of Departure: 2 August 1953
- Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
- Commander: Captain Ernest H. Nelson
1953-08-21 SS Constitution Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First Class
- Date of Departure: 21 August 1953
- Route: New York to Naples via Gibraltar, Cannes, and Genoa
- Commander: Captain Ernest H. Nelson
1953-08-24 SS Independence Passenger List
- Steamship Line: American Export Lines
- Class of Passengers: First Class
- Date of Departure: 24 August 1953
- Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes and Gibraltar,
- Commander: Captain Hugh L. Switzer
1954-02-10 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 10 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Poached Supreme of Black Bass, Mushroom and Oyster Sauce; Egg Noodles à la Bolognaise; and Pineapple Pie for dessert.
1954-02-11 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 11 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Broiled Mackerel with Bacon, Linguini à la Siciliana or Meat Sauce, and Blueberry Pie for dessert.
1954-02-12 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 12 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Boiled Brisket of Beef, Fresh Vegetables — Horseradish Sauce; Chicken Chow Mein, Fried Noodles and Steamed Rice; and Apricot Pie for dessert.
1954-02-13 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 13 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Chicken a la Cacciatora with Risotto, Baby Irish Lamb Stew with Dumplings, and Deep Dish Cherry Pie for dessert.
1954-02-14 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 14 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Ravioli à la Bolognese, Chinese Pepper Steak with Rice, and Mille-Feuille Cake for dessert.
1954-02-15 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large-Format Luncheon Menu from 15 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Farfalle à la Bolognese, Filet of Black Bass Sauté, Amandine, and Apple Brown Betty for dessert.
1954-02-15 SS Constitution Captain's Dinner Menu
Vintage Captain's Dinner Menu from Monday, 15 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Frog Legs, Poulette; Broiled Filet Mignon, Rossini; and Petits Fours for dessert.
1954-02-16 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 16 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Broiled Beech-Nut Ham Steak, Baden Baden, Yankee Pot Roast, Potato Pancakes, and Pound Cake for dessert.
1954-02-17 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 17 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Filet of Beef Point Broil, Madeira Sauce - Grilled Tomato, Linguini al Pesto, and Farina Pudding for dessert.
1954-02-18 SS Constitution Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 18 February 1954 on board the SS Constitution of the American Export Lines featured Chicken Sauté with Fresh Fennel, Lamb Shank a l'Oriental with Rice Pilaff, and Pineapple Sherbet for dessert.
1954-07-03 SS Independence Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: Tourist
- Date of Departure: 3 July 1954
- Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
- Commander: Captain Hugh L. Switzer
1954-08-14 SS Independence Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: Cabin
- Date of Departure: 14 August 1954
- Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
- Commander: Captain Ernest H. Nelson
1954-11-05 SS Constitution Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First Class
- Date of Departure: 5 November 1954
- Route: New York to Naples via Cannes and Genoa
- Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
1954-11-09 SS Independence Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: Cabin
- Date of Departure: 9 November 1954
- Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
- Commander: Captain Hugh L. Switzer
1954-12-07 SS Constitution Passenger List
- Class of Passengers: First Class
- Date of Departure: 7 December 1954
- Route: Naples to New York via Genoa, Cannes, and Gibraltar
- Commander: Captain Bernt A. Jacobsen
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.
