Maartensdijk ScStr

Maartensdijk

A merchant name retained,

(ScStr: dp. 13,000; 1. 400'6"; b. 5211"; dr. 28'6"; s. 11 k.; cpl. 113; a. 1 6", 1 3")

Maartensdijk-, a steel cargo steamer, was built as Rapallo by Furness Withy & Co., Ltd., West Hartlepool, England, in 1902. Prior to World War 1, she sailed the Atlantic sealanes and in 1918 was owned by HollandAmerican Line, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Maartensdijk was seized by U.S. Customs at New York 20 March 1918; turned over to the Navy 21 March; and commissioned 28 March for duty with NOTS.

After loading Army cargo, Maartensdijk departed in convoy for European waters 10 April. Steaming via Halifax, Nova Scotia, she reached St. Nazaire, France, 14 May, discharged her cargo, and sailed for the United States 15 June. During the closing months of World War I she made two more cargo runs out of New York and Boston to French ports. She returned to New York 2 days after the signing of the Armistice. Sailing from Boston 12 December, she carried additional cargo to French ports and returned Army supplies to the United States. In all, she transported more than 27,000 tons of supplies during her four cargo runs to France. Maartensdijk returned to New York 9 February 1919. She decommissioned there 25 February 1919; transferred to the U.S. Shipping Board the same day; and subsequently was returned to her owner, Holland-American Line.