The second Master of the S.S. UNITED STATES was Commodore John W. Anderson from 1953/1964 - serving the longest tenure on the ship. He obtained his master's ticket and received his first command in 1921. During WWII he was convoy captain aboard the troopship SS JOHN ERICSSON sailing 200,000 miles and ferrying 300,000 troops without mishap. In 1957 the Saturday Evening Post did a full length article describing the eastbound crossing of voyage 213 with close coverage of the Commodore's activity during the 4-1/2 days to LeHavre and Southampton. In 1964 he relinquished the helm to his executive officer, Captain Leroy J. Alexanderson - more on him later.
The Post reporter who made the trip mentioned that Elsa Maxwell and the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor were passengers on EB voyage 213. At the time Maxwell was feuding with the Dutchess as celebrity women sometimes do. But on this occasion Maxwell made an overture and they reconciled
in the Windsors suite - and the Captain was not needed for the peacemaking.
tjs
Next - C.C.C. II
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