Dollar Lines ordered both the President Hoover and President Coolidge on 26 October 1929. The Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company of Newport News, Virginia, USA, built the two ships, completing the Hoover in 1930 and Coolidge in 1931. They were the largest merchant ships built in the USA up to that time. First Lady Lou Henry Hoover launched and christened President Hoover on December 9, 1930.
