The USS Cacique (ID-2213) was a commercial freighter built in 1910 by Short Brothers in Sunderland, England. She was a substantial vessel with a gross register tonnage of 6,202, indicating a sizable cargo capacity suitable for transporting goods across the Atlantic. Owned by the New York and Pacific Steamship Company of New York City, the Cacique was part of the commercial fleet before her military service. During World War I, the United States Navy leased the Cacique from the U.S. Shipping Board, commissioning her on August 19, 1918, as USS Cacique (ID # 2213). She was assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, where her primary role was to support the Allied war effort by transporting personnel and cargo to Europe. Her service included two voyages from Norfolk, Virginia, to Marseille, France, carrying general cargo crucial for the U.S. Army operations in France. The vessel completed these missions and returned to Baltimore, Maryland, on March 2, 1919, shortly after the end of hostilities. Following the Armistice in November 1918, the USS Cacique was decommissioned on March 24, 1919, and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board on the same day. She was subsequently restored to her original owners, resuming her role as a commercial freighter. The Cacique's service during World War I highlights her contribution to the logistical support of Allied forces, embodying the vital role played by civilian vessels leased by the U.S. Navy during wartime. Her construction, service record, and post-war return underline her significance as a maritime asset of the early 20th century, illustrating the transition of commercial vessels into military service during a period of global conflict.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.