largest commercial vessels ever constructed on the Pacific Coast. The 

 President Cleveland was the first of these two new luxury lines to enter 

 service. It was launched in June, 1946, and made its maiden voyage in 

 August, 1947. 



Combining the latest design in passenger accommodations with the 

 most modern machinery and equipment obtainable, these two 22,900-ton 

 luxury liners each carry 552 passengers in first, tourist and third class, and 

 a crew of 338, in addition to 5,000 tons of general, refrigerator and bulk 

 liquid cargoes. The ships are 610 feet in length and have a beam of 

 75 feet. Their 20,000 horsepower turbo-electric motors will propel them 

 at a maximum speed of 21 knots. 



They are typically American, and while "there may be bigger ships 

 afloat, there are none finer or more modern. The new President liners 

 represent the epitome of present-day knowledge in the shipbuilding crafts. 

 They combine engineering skill and efficiency with all the luxuries of 

 ocean-going transportation." 



The President Cleveland and President Wilson boast two swimming 

 pools — one each for cabin and tourist passengers — and libraries, motion- 

 picture facilities, massage rooms, barber and beauty shops, and a gymna- 

 sium. All cabins and public rooms are air-conditioned. There are even 

 steam-heated kennels for dogs and other pets. 



The keels of both vessels were originally laid down as Navy P-2 type 

 troop transports; but with the war's end, the Maritime Commission or- 

 dered them constructed according to the American President Lines' 

 requirements for the latter's fast-growing transpacific passenger and 

 express-cargo trade. 



To meet emergency passenger demand during the period between V-J 

 Day and the delivery of these new liners, the company put into operation 

 on an interim basis the General M. C. Meigs and the General W. H. Gor- 

 don. These former Navy troop transports were given limited conversion 

 to accommodate 1,500 commercial passengers each. Additional interim 

 passenger service to the Orient is being provided by the S.S. Marine Lynx 



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