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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer & Author

Matson Lines / Pacific Far East Line

SS Mariposa – SS Monterey

Original Matson Line Post Card of the Mariposa

Author’s private collection

The SS Monterey was built by the Bethlehem Shipbuilders, at Sparrow’s Point, Maryland and the SS Mariposa was built by the same company but at their other yard at Quincy - M.A. USA. They were designed to be fast and reliable freighters and were ordered by the U.S. Maritime Administration. Below are their general details:

SS Monterey commenced as the SS Free State Mariner – hull number 4507 and she was launched on May 29 1952 and delivered later that year. SS Mariposa was built as the SS Pine Tree Mariner hull number 1624. She was launched on November 7, 1952 and completed early in 1953. These C-4 class ships were vastly updated versions of the original wartime C3 and C4 class of vessels and they had just a small superstructure located amidships with a tall tapered funnel and five twin sets of derricks, three forward and two aft. Tonnage wise, both ships were 9,700 GRT (Gross registered Tons) and 13,400 DWT. Their days on their cargo run was to be exceedingly short and certainly it proved to be unprofitable and within just two years these two American flagged cargo ships were laid up and placed on the market and thankfully their future, unlike 99% of C3 and C4 class ship that were built in the US, which were sold to European Shipping Companies to see them rebuilt into modest migrant ships, but these two ships would not only end up remaining under the American flag, but also become luxury liners!

SS Pine Tree Mariner seen at the beginning of her very short career as a cargo ship

Author’s private collection

SS Free State Mariner laid up and for sale

Author’s private collection

Both ships were purchased in 1955 by Matson lines and were comprehensively rebuilt by Williamette Iron and Steel Corporation in Portland Oregon into attractive all first class passenger/cargo liners. Their superstructures were greatly enlarged and they were the very first American liners to be given “Sperry Gyro-Fin stabilisers,” as well as rapid opening “hydraulic hatch covers.” Mariposa and Monterey accommodated 365 all first class passengers in superior grade accommodations, with each stateroom having private facilities and are able to convert into comfortable sitting rooms by day.

SS Monterey is seen here being transformed into a luxury liner

Author’s private collection

The Mariposa was the first to be completed by Motsom and she managed a maximum of 24.6 knots during her sea trials in 1956. When completed they entered the popular San Francisco to Sydney Australia service.

Ports of call included; San Francisco, Los Angeles, Bora Bora (Tahiti), Rarotonga (at anchor), Auckland (New Zealand), Sydney, Noumea (New Caledonia), Suva (Fiji), Niuafo’ou (Tonga – at anchor), Pago Pago (American Samoa), Honolulu, San Francisco. Over the years the itinerary saw various changes and new ports of call.

Monterey seen departing San Francisco for her Maiden Voyage to Australia

Author’s private collection

Mariposa departed on her maiden voyage from San Francisco on October 27, 1956, whilst the Monterey, departed on her maiden voyage on January 8, 1957, and arrived in Sydney January 29. For ten years these elegant white yacht’s were employed on the Pacific route and also operated a number of Matson’s traditional California to Hawaii voyages, even a number of world cruises in their latter years when Pacific Fear East Line had taken over Matson Lines.

Monterey berthed at Aloha Pier Honolulu, seen with the older Matsonia

Author’s private collection

Deck by beck description

Bridge Deck: Contained spacious decks stretching from just behind the Bridge alongside the funnel casing, completed with a large full width sports deck aft.

Boat Deck: A full walk-around deck with a wide promenade along the sides and a full width deck aft. Amidships portside were nine single cabins, each having two portholes. With the height of Promenade Deck below, all portholes were set high giving full privacy. Aft was the spacious Pool Terrace the perfect venue for buffets and relaxing overlooking the pool just aft.

Promenade Deck: Forward were eighteen cabins. The aft section on port and starboard were two magnificent Lanai Suites. Each had a separate bedroom and lounge, a full sized bath and separate toilet. Other accommodations included two outside deluxe double bedrooms overlooking the bow, six Outside double rooms, three on each side, as well as two outside two berth cabins, five inside twin bedded cabins and one inside single cabin. The accommodations were followed by the forward foyer which led to the Writing Room portside and the Library starboard. The center double doors led into the delightful Polynesian themed Southern Cross Lounge, which also accessed the card room aft starboard. Portside was walk through past the Gallery and bank into the amidships foyer. The next room was the Po most popular Polynesian Club, the ships ballroom featuring the bandstand located forward portside of the oval dance floor. This room continued the Hawaiian feel with a multitude of plants and exotic carvings. The last public room was the delightful Outrigger Bar. The covered promenade on both sides were particularly spacious ending with a full width aft deck.

Upper Deck: This deck was fully dedicated to accommodations, including inside and outside, singles, twin bedded, Two berth, some three and four berth cabins. However, during the day all cabins aboard converted into sitting rooms. Four deluxe double bedrooms were located two forward overlooking the fore deck, and two amidships. The children’s playroom was located aft.

Main Deck: All cabins, located forward, were twin bedded, except for three inside three berth cabins. Just aft of the forward foyer was the location of the ships Shopping Center, followed by the Barber Shop, Photo Shop, Elizabeth Arden Salon, and the Surgery. The amidships Main Foyer and entrance hall contained the Purser’s and Chief Steward’s Offices, followed by the elegant split level Dinning Room. Located one deck below was the spacious but plush theatre, decorated much like the rest of the ship in the style of Polynesia with carvings along the blue walls. It had a spacious stage, a cinemascope screen, which was covered by a deep yellow curtain.

Steaming across the Pacific

Author’s private collection

Mariposa - Monterey original Specifications

Built:

Free State Mariner: Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Sparrow’s Point, Maryland USA - (Monterey)

Pine State Mariner: Bethlehem Steel Corp, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA - (Mariposa)

Rebuilt at: Williamette Iron and Steel Corp, Portland Oregon

Tonnage:

Monterey: 14,799 GRT

Mariposa: 14,812 GRT

Length: 536ft

Width: 76t

Draught: 29.10ft

Engines: Steam D.R. Geared Turbines

Screws: One

Service speed: 20 knots

Passengers: 365 First Class

Crew: 264

SS Mariposa arrives in Honolulu on her 10^th visit in 1966 – Note the lei draped over her bow

Author’s private collection

A Matson photo album is located on Page Two

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Changing Hands

With new Golden Bear funnel marking both Mariposa and Monterey looked stunning!

Author’s private collection

Matson Lines operated the twins until 1970 when both ships were sold. The sisters were transferred to new owners the Pacific Far East Line who continued the popular Pacific service between 1970 and 1978. Externally the difference was her funnel which lost the traditional Matson Line livery and was replaced by a dark blue funnel with a golden bear with two gold bands. Although many missed the Matson funnel, all agreed that her new marking looked quite spectacular!

SS Monterey with her Pacific Far East Line funnel – Pacific Far East Line brochure with cabin plan

Author’s private collection

Monterey and Mariposa were laid up in San Francisco from 1978 to 1979, but were sold to World Airways Inc, San Francisco, but both remained laid up in San Francisco. Attempting to sell her, there was an unsuccessful bid by Royal Hawaiian Cruise Lines, but in 1980, Monterey was sold to the International Organisation, Masters, Mates & Pilots, but she remained laid up for a long time. However, she would have a long and a successful life and would cruise on until 2006! Continue reading and discover her amazing story, warts and all! This is because her first venture turned out to be a disaster, then there were two new owners, but nothing happened, but then her next owner would operate her successfully for what could be called a ships lifetime - twenty perfect years!

A sad looking Monterey is seen here in San Francisco in 1984 whilst laid up awaiting a buyer

Photographer unknown – see photo notes at bottom of page

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China Ocean Shipping Company

Mariposa departed San Francisco on November 7, 1980 under tow by the famed Dutch tug Zwarte Zee, heading for Mihara Japan, where she arrived on January 6, 1981. Having been laid up for yet another year she was returned to the Pacific Far East Line.

In 1983 having been sold, Mariposa was towed to Kobe, were she was officially handed over to the China Ocean Shipping Company, Beijing. Renamed Jin Jiang she was given new diesel engines and soon commenced on the Shanghai to Hong Kong service.

A sad looking MS Jin Jiang seen around 1990

Author’s private collection

In 1992 Jin Jiang was renamed Queen of Jin Jiang and in 1995 Heng Li. Soon after being renamed Heng Li, she suffered a substantial galley fire, which spelled her end. Early in 1996, she headed for India where she was broken-up.

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Having been laid up since 1979, in 1988 SS Monterey (having been rebuilt as a full time cruise ship) commenced cruising for Aloha Pacific Cruises, which was short lived as the company went into liquidation in less that twelve months. However, better days were yet to come for the Monterey. Her new life will be covered on “Page Four.”

INDEX

Page One … The Matson / Pacific Far East Line (PFEL) Liners - this page

Page Two … Matson / PFEL photo album

Page Three … Matson / PFEL cabin plan

New Page … Aloha Pacific Cruises’ Monterey 1987 to 1988

Page Four … Monterey as a Star Lauro / MSC Cruises cruise ship

Page Five … Monterey – MSC- photographs from various sources

Page Six … Monterey – MSC - an excellent series of photographs by Johan Coeman

Page Seven … Monterey – MSC – Cabin Plan

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Who is the Author of ssMaritime?

Commenced in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960

ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

Where the ships of the past make history & the 1914 built MV Doulos Story

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet these individuals either refuse to provide credit or remove them when asked, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show these charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due!

This notice covers all pages, although, and I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!