DescriptionByron, built in 1914 in Birkenhead, England for the National Greek Line and originally named the Vasilefs Constantinos. The ship had been launched in June 1914, but completion of construction was delayed during WWI. When the war was over, the ship was completed. However, the company changed its name to the Megali Hellas. The name of ex-King Constantine had become politically unacceptable as a result of his pro-German position during the war which had led to his abdication from the throne and replacement by his son Alexander. Between 1921 and 1924 a series of restrictive and discriminatory immigration laws were passed by the U.S. Congress which severely curtailed immigration from southern and eastern Europe, including Greece. The resulting impact on Greek passenger service led to a number of changes in the passenger service from Greece. Early in World War One, the National Greek Line had established a British subsidiary under the name Byron Steamship Company, enabling the company to buy German ships seized by the British. In mid-1923, the National Greek Line transferred the Megali Hellas to the Byron Line and changed its name to the Byron. In 1928, it was transferred back to the National Greek Line, but the name Byron was kept. In 1935, the Byron made its last voyage.
CollectionRemembering Newark's Greeks: An American Odyssey
Organization NameNewark Public Library
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