MARITIME UNIONS HELP KILL THE AMERICAN PASSENGER SHIP – SS AMERICA LEAVES 100s OF PASSENGERS STRANDED IN 1963.

SS AMERICA – Didn’t sail in Sept 1963 – because of a strike.

Cruising the Past: The Maritime Unions – corrupt leaders, under gangster control, along with the JET, helped kill American passengers ships.  Maritime strikes were endless throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.  The workers demanded more wages, shorter hours and guess what?  All American passengers ships disappeared in the 1970s.  Thousands of jobs were lost.  The unions would strike at the height of the season.  Alaska Steamship was the first to discontinue passenger service in the early 1950s because of labor problems.  The other lines such as Grace, US Lines, American Export Lines, Matson – soon went out of business.  Now there’s one ship operating in Hawaii – but the American crews were so poorly trained they had to bring in foreigners.

Passengers on SS America departing after ships voyage cancelled when Maritime Union charged engineer with bigotry. (Photo by Truman Moore//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Passenger on SS America disapointed after ships voyage cancelled when Maritime Union charged engineer with bigotry. (Photo by Truman Moore//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Passengers on SS America in lounge after ships voyage cancelled when Maritime Union charged engineer with bigotry.  Photo: Truman Moore/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images