The USS Nereus (AC-10) was one of four Proteus Class colliers built for the United States Navy during World War I. Named for Nereus, an aquatic deity from Greek mythology, she was the second U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name. Nereus was laid down 4 December 1911, and launched on 26 April 1913 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, and commissioned 10 September 1913.

Detached from Naval Overseas Transportation Service on 12 September 1919, Nereus served with the Atlantic Fleet until decommissioned at Norfolk 30 June 1922. She was laid up there until struck from the Navy List 5 December 1940. Sold to the Aluminium Company of Canada, 27 February 1941, Nereus operated out of Montreal carrying bauxite from the Caribbean to aluminum plants in the United States and Canada.

The "Neueus" was lost at sea {cause unknown/date unknown} sometime after 10 December 1941 while steaming from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands (along the same route her sister ship, Cyclops, had disappeared) with ore destined to be transformed into Allied fighting planes; it was presumed "Nereus" was sunk after being torpedoed by a German U-boat. However there are no German U-boat claims for this vessel-see ; a memorial listing for her crew can be found on the CWGC Halifax memorial at ; for possible fate-see {reference only-copyrighted websites}. The wreckage has never been located nor the actual cause of her disappearance determined.

See also

• USS Nereus for a list of other ships bearing the name.

References

• Nereus. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved on January 2., 2007.
• Collier No. 10 / AC-10 Nereus. Service Ship Photo Archive. Retrieved on January 2., 2007.