Name USS Cacique Length 120 m | Christened SS Cacique | |
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Namesake Cacique is the Spanish adaptation of an Indian word for prince or chieftain. Owner New York and Pacific Steamship Company of New York City Completed in 1910 at Pallion, Sunderland Acquired leased by the US Navy 19 August 1918 Builder Short Brothers of Sunderland | ||
USS Cacique (ID-2213) was a freighter leased by the United States Navy in World War I. She was used to transport Allied personnel and cargo in support of the European fighting front. Post-war she was returned to her owners.
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Built in England
S.S. Cacique, a 6,202 gross ton commercial freighter, was built in 1910 by Short Brothers of Sunderland, England. She was owned by the New York and Pacific Steamship Company of New York City. On 19 August 1918 she was transferred to the Navy from the United States Shipping Board and commissioned the same day as USS Cacique (ID # 2213) under the command of Lieutenant Commander C.H. Winnett, USNRF.
World War I service
Assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, Cacique sailed from Norfolk, Virginia on 30 August 1918 to take part in supplying the United States Army in France. She made two voyages to Marseilles, France with general cargo, and returned to Baltimore, Maryland on 2 March 1919.
Post-war disposition
After the November 1918 Armistice with Germany Cacique was decommissioned 24 March 1919, and returned to the US Shipping Board the same day. She was then returned to her owners.