The vessel was launched on January 16, 1913, and was the older of two near-sister ships, the newer one being SS South American.

In 1963, North American was sold to the Canadian Holiday Company of Erie, Pennsylvania.

The company used her in cross-lake service between Erie and Port Dover, Ontario, Canada, for one year until she was retired in 1964.

After being retired from service, North American was involved in purchasing deals of uncertain nature, and was finally sold at public auction to the Seafarers International Union of North America in 1967 for use as a training ship at Piney Point, Maryland.

In July 2006, a research team aboard Quest Marine’s research vessel Quest located the North American close to the edge of the continental shelf, approximately 140 miles (230 km) off the New England coast in 250 feet (76 m) of water.