States Marine Lines, Inc.

States Marine Lines

House flag
Industry	Maritime transport
Founded	1930
Founder	Henry Mercer
Defunct	1974
Headquarters	New York, New York
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Cornelius S. Walsh
Services	Cargo and Passengers Liners

States Marine Lines was the passenger and cargo of the States Marine Corporation founded by Henry Mercer in 1930 in New York City. In 1931 Cornelius S. Walsh became an investor and the company Secretary. They started by chartering foreign ships to run the lines in tramp trade. Later scheduled cargo services was added to the line. In 1934 States Marine started monthly cargo routes to South Africa.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

In 1937 States Marine charted the SS Carrollton a 1903, 1,732 tons from, acquired by Saginaw Dock and Terminal Company of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1940 States Marine Lines purchased the SS Lone Star a 1919, 5,101 tons cargo ship from Mississippi Shipping Company of New Orleans and the SS Wolverine, 1919, 4,990 tons, cargo ship from Export Steamship Company in New York City. In 1941 States Marine Lines charted the SS Atlantic Trader, 1918, 2,241 tons, a cargo ship from Saginaw Dock and Terminal Company of Cleveland. In 1941 States Marine Lines charted the SS Green Mountain, a 1919, 4,988 tons, a cargo ship from Federal Marine Corp. of New York. In 1941 States Marine Lines charted the SS Hoosier, 1920, a 5,060 tons cargo ship from Hoosier Marine Corp. of New York. In 1941 States Marine Lines charted the SS Keystone, 1919, a 5,565 tons, cargo ship from Shepard Steamship Company of Boston, MA.^[6][7]

On 10 July 1942 SS Hoosier was sunk by the U-boat U-376 after departing Archangel, USSR.^[8] On March 13, 1943, the SS Keystone sunk by U-172 after her engine failed in convoy UGS-6 from New York to North Africa.

During World War II the States Marine Lines was active with charter shipping with the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. During wartime, the Mississippi Shipping Company operated Victory ships, Liberty ships, and a few Empire ships.^[9]