The Panama Republic issued a set of stamps in 1918 showing various views on the Panama Canal. On the highest value the l balboa, is a picture of the U.S. auxiliary collier Nereus (named after the sea god). Built by the Newport News Shipbuilding Co., at a contract price of $990,000, her keel was laid on December 4. 1911, and she was first placed in commission at Norfolk. Va. on September 10, 1913. She was assigned to duty with the US. Atlantic Fleet, but was in reserve at Norfolk from June 29 to September 19, 1914, afterwards operating on the Atlantic, Pacific and Asiatic stations. When the United States entered the First World War the Nereus was at Hampton Roads. Va. After coaling vessels of the Atlantic Fleet in the Chesapeake Bay area, she made a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with coal for the Pacific Fleet, calling en route at the ports of Haiti and San Domingo to discharge marines. When the Naval Overseas transportation Service was organised in January 1918 she was one of the regular U.S. Navy vessels used by this service to carry coal and other supplies between naval stations and vessels of the fleet. In December 1918 the Nereus made a trip to Ponta Delgada, Azores with coal. In 1919 she sailed from Norfolk. Va for Brest with coal and then went to Cardiff, Wales, from which port she made several trips to France. She returned to Norfolk on September 12. 1919, and was assigned to duties with the Atlantic Fleet. She remained in this service until June 28 1922 when she was taken out of commission at the Norfolk Navy Yard. On February 23. 1940, she was placed on the list of naval vessels for sale, and was deleted from the Navy Register on December 5 of that year. With a displacement of 19,080 tons, she was 522ft overall x 62ft. x 2711, was armed with four 4in. guns, and had a complement of 16 officers, 12 chief petty officers and 152 ratings.
SG182 Sea Breezes 8/51