by january 1941, "minnesotan", though still operated by american-hawaiian, was engaged in defense work for the u.s. government, sailing to ports in south africa. after the united states entered world war ii, "minnesotan" was requisitioned by the war shipping administration and frequently sailed in convoys. though complete records of her sailings are unavailable, partial records indicate some of the ports "minnesotan" visited during the conflict and some of the cargo she carried. from july 1942 to april 1943, "minnesotan" sailed between new york and caribbean ports, calling at trinidad, key west, hampton roads, guantánamo bay, and cristóbal.