United States Lines had been acquired at auction by IMM in 1931; IMM was just as eager to be rid of the white elephant. The government steadfastly stipulated that "Leviathan" should sail, and so she did after a refurbishment costing $150,000, for another five round trips. The first round trip sailed on 9 June 1934, high season on the Atlantic, and tallied a loss of $143,000. By "Leviathan"s fifth voyage she sailed at barely half capacity. IMM paid the US government $500,000 for permission to retire her while keeping her in running order until 1936.