Service: One of three sisters built for Matson Line (U.S. flag) Pacific service. The Mariposa and Monterey, both launched in 1931, were operated by a subsidiary, Oceanic Steamship Co on trips across the South Pacific to Australia and New Zealand. The maiden voyage for Lurline was a round-the-world cruise, departing 27 Jan 1933. Afterwards stayed mostly on the California-Hawaii run All three sisters were taken into service as transports in Dec 1941 and returned in mid-1946. The older two were laid up at Alameda in 1947. The Lurline underwent extensive restoration before resuming Hawaiian service in May 1948. She was sold to Chandris Lines (Greek flag), 1963; rebuilt as immigration ship Ellinis with capacity increased to 1,642 for Europe-Australia service. Laid up, 1980-87. Broken up in Taiwan, 1987.
The Mariposa was sold in 1953 to Home Lines (Panama flag) and renamed Homeric, entering Atlantic and Caribbean service. She was damaged by fire off New Jersey, 1 Jul 1973, and scrapped in Taiwan in 1974. The Monterey was revived in 1956, towed to Newport News for refurbishment, and recommissioned as Matsonia in 1957. She joined the Lurline in the Honolulu service, and then was renamed Lurline in 1963 when the original was sold. Matson ended their Hawaii service in 1970 and she was also sold to Chandris Lines, being rebuilt as the Britanis. Used on round-the-world service and for cruising until 1995; then as a refugee accommodation center in Cuba before being laid up in Tampa. Sank off South Africa in Oct 2000 while under tow to scrappers in India.
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