[9][10] During World War II City of Flint was being operated by United States Lines allocated to Army cargo requirements.

The City of Flint, under the command of Captain Joseph A. Gainard, first became involved in the war when she rescued 200 survivors of the torpedoed British passenger liner Athenia on 3 September 1939.

He sent the destroyer HMS Fame on an anti-submarine sweep of the area, while Electra, Escort, Southern Cross, Knute Nelson and the City of Flint rescued the survivors.

[15] Norway, neutral at the time and disturbed by the sinking of the merchant ship SS Lorentz W. Hansen, refused entry to the Germans, giving them 24 hours to leave.

[17] Claiming havarie[9] (the privilege of sanctuary for damage caused at sea),[citation needed] the ship lay in Murmansk harbor under the control of the German prize crew for several days and was eventually forced to leave by the Soviet Union, stating that if the Germans claimed havarie, the American crew could not be prisoners of war.

[19] In the several weeks that elapsed, the United States ordered many US merchant ships to register with other countries, so as to continue supporting the Allies without violating the US's nominal neutrality.

[citation needed] The approaching Royal Navy left the prize crew no choice, though; on 3 November the City of Flint entered the harbor.