 In June 1940 , as World War II raged in Europe , the United States Maritime Commission ( USMC ) ( a successor to the USSB ) announced bidding for the reconditioning of West Cheswald and nine other ships that were in the reserve fleet . The low bid for West Cheswald was by the Maryland Drydock Company of Baltimore , which priced the repairs at $ 169 @,@ 961 . In February 1941 , the USMC announced another round of bidding , this time for the operation of West Cheswald and three other ships on defense routes to southern and eastern Africa . The ships would carry defense cargo to African ports and return loads of chromium and manganese ore — both needed for the production of steel for armaments — to the United States . The American South African Line had the low bid for West Cheswald , offering to operate her for $ 17 @,@ 174 monthly . 
