"african reefer" was enroute from the united states to the mediterranean on 9 april 1940 when germany occupied denmark. the ship was directed by the company to put into funchal, madeira. "african reefer" was laid up there until august 1941 when the ship left funchal for new york. on 6 june 1941 the ship, which had sailed to a u.s. port on specific promises of equal treatment to u.s. vessels, was one of forty danish vessels seized by the united states maritime commission.