ss "minnesotan was a cargo ship built in 1912 for the american-hawaiian steamship company. during world war i she was known as usat "minnesotan in service for the united states army and uss "minnesotan" (id-4545) in service for the united states navy. she ended her career as the ss "maria luisa r." under italian ownership. she was built by the maryland steel company as one of eight sister ships for the american-hawaiian steamship company, and was employed in inter-coastal service via the isthmus of tehuantepec and the panama canal after it opened.