From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

A system of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people and exercised either directly or through a system of representation.

(AK: dp. 10,562(f.); l. 392'6"; b. 52'; dr. 23'8"; s. 10k.; cpl.60; a. 1 5",1 3")

Democracy, a cargo ship, was built in 1917 as Jupiter by Standard Shipbuilding Corp., Staten Island, N.Y.; operated in World War I with convoys until requisitioned and acquired by the Navy 23 October 1918; commissioned 26 October 1918, Lieutenant Commander G. Wright, USNRF, in command; and assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service.

Until 7 March 1919 Democracy carried coal from Cardiff to French ports for the Army. On 13 March she was transferred to the Food Administration and carried foodstuffs from Rotterdam and French ports to Danzig. She sailed from St. Nazaire, France, 6 June for Revel, Estonia, arriving on the 18th, and unloaded food for transshipment into Russia to relieve the famine there. Returning to Rotterdam 15 July she was commended for her efficiency by Herbert Hoover, Director of the Food Administration.

Democracy cleared Cardiff 1 August 1919 and transferred Army ordnance and equipment from Brest, France, to the United States, arriving at Tompkinsville, N.Y., on the 15th. She was decommissioned at Brooklyn 15 September 1919 and delivered to the Shipping Board for disposal the same day.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.fr)