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Excalibur, in Arthurian legend, was the sword belonging to King Arthur.

Last updated June 2009

General Specifications

Type Cargo Liner, single funnel (American Export)
Displacement 9,360 tons (lt)
Length 450 ft
Beam 62 ft (19 m)
Draft 26 ft (7.9 m)
Propulsion Single Screw Steam turbine
Speed 16 kt
Accomodations 125 First Class

American Export Lines, SS Excalibur (I), 1931
American Export Lines, SS Excalibur (I), 1931

Designed by George G. Sharp, Inc., the SS Excalibur was one of the first-generation "4 Aces". Her sister ships were SS Excambion (I), SS Exochorda (I), and SS Exeter (I). Originally built for American Export Lines by New York Shipbuilding Company of Camden, New Jersey, contract #394, between 1929 and 1931. The keel was laid on Nov 4, 1929. She was launched on August 5, 1930. She was delivered on December 18, 1930. AEL placed the 4 Aces in service between the US and the Mediterranean, offering cruises of up to 40 days. Her maiden voyage started on January 24, 1931 when she left New York for Marseilles, Naples, Alexandria, Jaffa, Haifa, Beirut, Alexandria, Naples, Leghorn, Genoa, Marseilles and New York. Her last crossing from Genoa to Alexandria, Lisbon and New York started on June 5, 1940 and on July 18, 1940 she commenced New York - Lisbon sailings.

From 1930 until 1940 the Excalibur (I) delivered cargo, mail, and passengers on round trips from the American Export Lines terminal in Jersey City, New Jersey (New York harbor) to various ports in the Mediterranean.

From 1940 to 1941 the Excalibur (I) made many round trips between Lisbon, Portugal and New York. The Excalibur was instrumental in the success of the war-time Emergency Rescue Committee; transporting thousands of refugees from Nazi Europe to freedom in the United States.

The Excalibur (I) was acquired by the United States Navy on January 8, 1942. After refitting, she was commissioned on May 1, 1942 as the USS Joseph Hewes. Unfortunately, the Joseph Hewes was sunk by enemy action in the Allied Invasion of North Africa (Morocco) on November 11, 1942. Joseph Hewes was replaced by a new ship, USS Dutchess, which later became Excalibur (II) in 1948. Excalibur (II) was sold by American Export Lines in 1965, and became the SS Oriental Jade. The Oriental Jade was scrapped in 1974.

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