The SS Ulysses (Panama Collier No. 1) was a steel-hulled screw steamer designed by the United States Navy and constructed at Sparrows Point, Maryland by the Maryland Steel Company under naval supervision; she was named for Ulysses (a character in Greek mythology and the protagonist of Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey The ship was launched on 12 December 1914 and, on 17 April 1915 was delivered at the Norfolk Navy Yard to the Panama Canal Company.