Info of SS Yaque a great white fleet ship banana carrier?

The SS Yaque was a steamship that was part of the Great White Fleet, a group of passenger ships that were operated by the United Fruit Company in the early 20th century. The Yaque was built in 1913 by the William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was one of six sister ships that were built for the Great White Fleet, which was known for its luxurious accommodations and fast speeds.

The Yaque was a steel-hulled ship that was 422.4 feet (128.7 meters) long and had a beam of 55 feet (16.8 meters). She was powered by two steam turbines that produced a total of 10,000 horsepower and gave her a service speed of 16 knots (18.4 miles per hour). The Yaque had a capacity for 150 passengers and a crew of 120.

The Yaque was primarily used to transport bananas from Central America to the United States. She would travel from New Orleans to ports in Honduras, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, and then return to New Orleans with a load of bananas. The Yaque also carried other cargo, such as coffee, sugar, and spices.

In addition to its cargo-carrying capacity, the Yaque was also a popular passenger ship. She was equipped with luxurious cabins, a dining room, a smoking room, and a library. The Yaque also had a swimming pool, a gymnasium, and a dance floor.

The Yaque was a popular ship with passengers and crew alike. She was known for its smooth sailing and comfortable accommodations. The Yaque also had a reputation for its safety, and she never had any major accidents.

The Yaque continued to operate for the United Fruit Company until the 1930s. In 1935, she was sold to the United States Navy, which converted her into a seaplane tender and renamed her the USS Albemarle (AV-5). The Albemarle served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. She was decommissioned in 1955 and was sold for scrap.

The Yaque was one of the most popular and successful ships of the Great White Fleet. She was a symbol of the United Fruit Company's dominance in the banana trade, and she played an important role in the development of the Caribbean tourism industry.