The design was originally developed for the American-Hawaiian Lines in 1941, but in late 1941 the plans were taken over by the MARCOM.

All ships were capable of 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph), driven by a single screw steam turbine generating 9,900 shaft horsepower (7,400 kW).

Sun Shipbuilding of Chester, Pennsylvania, originally had a contract to build 30 of the C4 ships.

[4][5] Sun Shipbuilding of Chester, Pennsylvania, originally had a contract to build 30 of the C4 ships.

The United States Navy took over 6 to become Haven-class hospital ships in May 1945 and painted them white.

14,863 DWT ships built by Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, California, in 1945 and 1946, as WSA troopship.

C4-S-49a 19,799 DWT Four cargo/passenger liners were built for the Grace Line 1963–1964 by Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, Maryland.

[15][16][17] C4-S-1f built by Todd San Pedro, the three were C4-S-1a converted in 1955 for Pacific Far East Lines cargo.

C4-S-1h Conversion for break bulk ships for American President Lines in 1955.

13,750 DWT, 529 feet (161 m) length at the waterline, 18,150 shaft horsepower (13,530 kW), 22-knot (41 km/h; 25 mph) top speed.