USS Nereus (AC-10) was one of four Proteus-class colliers built for the United States Navy before World War I.

Detached from Naval Overseas Transportation Service on 12 September 1919, Nereus served with the Atlantic Fleet until decommissioned at Norfolk on 30 June 1922.

Her master (commanding officer) was John Thomas Bennett of the Canadian Merchant Navy.

Nereus was lost at sea sometime after 10 December 1941 while steaming from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands (along the same route where her sister ship, USS Cyclops had disappeared) with ore destined to make aluminum for Allied aircraft.

[5] This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.