Metz, France

1955 – Detail on the SS Homeric – Assorted Sources

The Mariposa was a 18,017 gross ton ship, length 632 feet x beam 79.4 feet, two funnels, two masts, twin screw, speed 22 knots. Accommodation for 475 first class and 229 cabin class passengers. Built by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, she was launched for the Matson Navigation Company in Los Angeles on 18th July 1931. The Mariposa was used on the San Francisco - Honolulu - Sydney service and in 1941 entered service as a US Navy transport.

After wartime service, the Mariposa was laid up at Alameda in 1946 and in 1953 was sold to Home Lines, Panama and renamed the SS Homeric the following year. The Homeric was completely refitted with accommodation for 147 first class and 1,096 tourist class passengers. The Homeric started regularly scheduled Southampton - New York sailings in 1955 and Le Havre - Montreal sailings in 1957. From 1963 she was used for cruising only and after a serious fire in 1973, it was found uneconomic to repair her and she was sold for scrapping at Taiwan.

Originally the SS Mariposa
General Detail

Builders	Bethlehem SB Corporation
Yard Number	1440
GRT	18,017
Size	192.6 x 24.2 meters or 632 x 79.4 feet
Geared Turbines	Bethlehem, Twin Screw
SHP	28,450
Speed	20.5 MPH or 22.84 knots
Passengers	475 First Class, 229 Cabin Class, 359 Crew

Specific Detail

1931	18 Jul	Launched
1931	10 Dec	Completed
1931	14 Dec	Delivered
1932	2 Feb	Maiden voyage San Francisco – Honolulu - Sydney
1941		Entered service as US Navy transport troopship. 18,152 GRT
1946		Laid up at Alamenda
1953		Sold to Home Line, Panama. Engines overhauled at Alamenda by Todd Shipyards Corporation.

[SS Mariposa]
SS Mariposa 1931-1953.

SS Homeric
General Detail

1954		Renamed Homeric. Sailed to Trieste for reconstruction of passenger accommodation by the Monfalcone shipyard. 147 First Class, 1,096 tourist class. 18,563 GRT. Length overall 195.5 meters or 641 feet.
1955	24 Jan	First voyage Venice – New York
1955	3 May	First voyage Southampton – New York
1955	11 May	RCAF personnel on voyage Quebec City to Le Harve
1957	12 Aug	First voyage Le Harve – Montreal, occasionally Cuxhaven – Montreal
1963	Oct	Cruising only, from US ports
1973	1 Jul	During a cruise the ship’s dining room and kitchens were badly damaged by a fire 90 nautical miles west of Cape May.
1973	16 Jul	The Homeric arrived at Genoa for repairs. The damage turned out to be so extensive however, that the idea of repair was given up.
1974	29 Jan	Arrived at Kaohsiung, Taiwan to be broken up by Nan Feng Steel Enterprises Company.

[SS Homeric]
SS Homeric 1954 - 1974.

[SS Homeric]
Sailing for Canada on the SS Homeric - 7 June 1957
Courtesy of Joe Milner

[SS Homeric]
Looking aft at the wake of the USS Homeric shortly after
departure from Le Harve - 7 June 1957
Courtesy of Joe Milner