De La Rama Steamship Company, Inc. Explained

De La Rama Steamship Company, Inc.
Type:Private
Foundation: in New York City
Industry:sugar, transportation and shipping
Key People:

De La Rama Steamship Company, Inc. was a shipping company founded in New York City by the Isidro de la Rama family in 1930. Isidro de la Rama family founded the De La Rama Steamship Company to export sugar from their large his sugar plantations in the Philippines. Isidro de la Rama was also commissioned by the United States Army to be a blockade runner to bring supplies, such as food and ammunition, to the United States Army and Philippine Army after the invasion of Empire of Japan into the Philippines.[1] [2]

History

Isidro de la Rama frist company was Hijos de la Rama founded in Talisay in the port at Iloilo City. His ships and tugboats operated out of Panay island in the 1800s. Isidro de la Rama had four sons each had part-time work with the company. Isidro de la Rama son, Esteban de la Rama managed the firm after his father death. De La Rama Steamship Company very active in supporting the US with World War I, shipping needed abaca, copra and coal. Esteban was also a General in the Philippine army. Another son Hijos de la Rama worked in the firm till 1930. In 1930 the De la Rama Steamship Company was incorporated at Iloilo. De la Rama Steamship Company manager was Benito H. Lopez and Esteban as the shipping agent. Isidro de la Rama died on June 10, 1897. Before World War II the United States purchased about 80% of Philippine products exported, the main product was sugar. De La Rama Steamship Company Los Angeles representative was Antonio Maria Bayot. Nephew of the Portuguese prime minister in New York City, Luiz Francisco Meirelles was manager of the New York City office. Esteban de la Rama won the election to the Philippine senate in 1941. After the war Sergio Osmeña Jr. became president of the De La Rama Steamship Company. De la Rama Steamship was able to charter from the National Development Corporation (NDC) three large new ships. Two ships taken for the war effort were returned and they also purchased two war surplus Type C1-B cargo ships. Three war surplus coastal ships called "FS" ships were acquired with three -"F" cargo ships. To start passenger service four ship liners were acquired. Airlines ended the passenger service in the 1960s, but cargo shipping continued.[3]

Sugar Train

One of the trains used at the Hijos de la Rama plant is on display Hacienda Hijos de La Rama, San Isidro, Negros, display at Star City Amusement Park, Manila.[4]

World War II

With the start of World War II shipping to and from the Philippines became rare. De La Rama Steamship Company fleet of ships were used to help the World War II effort. During World War II De La Rama Steamship Company operated Merchant navy ships for the United States Shipping Board. During World War II De La Rama Steamship Company was active with charter shipping with the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. De La Rama Steamship Company operated Liberty ships and Victory Ships for the merchant navy. The ship was run by its De La Rama Steamship Company crew and the US Navy supplied United States Navy Armed Guards to man the deck guns and radio.[5] [6] [7]

Ships

Some ships:


thumb|Liberty ship of World War II

See also

Notes and References

  1. The Liberty Ships of World War II, by Greg H. Williams
  2. http://collections.pvao.mil.ph/Collections/Phase2/Civilian_Employees/Box_24/1274541.pdf US Army De La Rama Steamship Company agreement
  3. A SHORT HISTORY OF "DON ISIDRO": A UNITED STATES ARMY TRANSPORT (USAT) WWII BLOCKADE-RUNNER, by Paul Clark
  4. Web site: Sugar Railways on Negros, February 2007. www.internationalsteam.co.uk.
  5. Web site: Sea Lane Vigilantes. www.armed-guard.com. July 24, 2022. May 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531045847/https://www.armed-guard.com/item07.html. dead.
  6. World War II U.S. Navy Armed Guard and World War II U.S. Merchant Marine, 2007–2014 Project Liberty Ship, Project Liberty Ship, P.O. Box 25846 Highlandtown Station, Baltimore, MD https://www.armed-guard.com/about-ag.html#:~:text=There%20were%20three%20basic%20training,California%3B%20and%20Gulfport%2C%20Mississippi.
  7. Web site: Steamship Company Operators of American Flag Ships during World War II. www.usmm.org. 2022-07-24. 2021-09-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20210927074018/http://usmm.org/wsa/operators.html. dead.
  8. https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?37158 Wrecksite, Dona Aurora
  9. New York Times, October 29, 1939, Section F, Page 9
  10. Book: Jordan, Roger . The World's Merchant Fleets, 1939 . 1999 . Chatham Publishing . London . 1-59114-959-2 . 394 .
  11. Web site: NH 89902 M.V. DONA ANICETA (Philippines Merchant Cargo Ship, 1940–1972). NHHC.
  12. Web site: CI Reader Volume 2 Chapter 2. irp.fas.org.
  13. Biloxi Daily Herald Newspaper, December 21, 1939, Page 13
  14. Web site: Columbia River Shipbuilding.
  15. Web site: 1947 SS Moleno. January 15, 2009. Flickr.
  16. Web site: SARANGANI BAY I, General Cargo Ship – Details and current position – IMO 6924820 – VesselFinder. www.vesselfinder.com.
  17. Web site: LibShipsJ. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  18. Web site: LibShipsZ. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  19. Web site: LibShipsR. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  20. Web site: LibShipsG. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  21. Web site: LibshipsA. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  22. Web site: LibShipsH. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  23. Web site: vicshipS. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  24. Web site: vicshipsN. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  25. Web site: vicshipsB. www.mariners-l.co.uk.
  26. Web site: vicshipsH. www.mariners-l.co.uk.