1 Air Division

SS Homeric - Assorted Sorces

SS Homeric

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.


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Front of SS Homeric post card - May 1962.
    The Canadian Army continued to make use of ocean liners when sending their personnel to Germany.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  2. Sailing for France on the SS Homeric. (L-R) Marilyn and John Fitzgerald with Ron and Gail Riley - November 1960.
    Courtesy John Fitzgerald.

  3. Front of SS Homeric post card - August 1960.
    Courtesy Steve Lowry.

  4. Back of SS Homeric post card - August 1960.
    Courtesy Steve Lowry.

  5. "French Night" on the SS Homeric - October 1959.
    Sharon McElroy (3rd from left) in front of the violinist.
    Courtesy Sharon McElroy.

  6. Sailing Schedule for the SS Homeric - August 1959.
    Courtesy Peter LaMontagne.

  7. The bow of the SS Homeric sailing for France - July 1959.
    Courtesy Gary Davis.

  8. (L-R) Gary Davis and Glenda Gilbert (Bauman) sailing for France on the SS Homeric - July 1959.
    Courtesy Gary Davis.

  9. Some of my mother's family came to see us off in Montreal - July 1959.
    My day and mom are 2nd and 3rd from left.
    Courtesy Diana Hincks (now Hegge).

  10. Passengers ready for departure from Montreal - July 1959.
    (L-R) - Unknown, unknown, unknown, my mom, Dianna Hincks (hanging over the rail), my dad - Don Hincks with my brother Phil on his shoulders.
    Courtesy Diana Hincks (now Hegge).

  11. Passengers ready for departure from Montreal - July 1959.
    Courtesy Diana Hincks (now Hegge).

  12. Passengers ready for departure from Montreal - July 1959.
    Courtesy Diana Hincks (now Hegge).

  13. Passengers ready for departure from Montreal - July 1959.
    Courtesy Diana Hincks (now Hegge).

  14. Many airmen travelled to and from Europe on this ship - June 1959.
    Courtesy Art "Cubby" Cuthbertson.

  15. Sailing for Canada on the SS Homeric - 7 June 1957.
    Courtesy Joe Milner.

  16. Looking aft at the wake of the SS Homeric shortly after departure from Le Havre - 7 June 1957.
    Courtesy Joe Milner.

  17. Cover for souvenir photo pack - 17 October 1956.
    Courtesy Bruce McKinlay.

  18. Interior of souvenir photo pack - 17 October 1956.
    Courtesy Bruce McKinlay.

  19. Birthday celebration on board the SS Homeric - 17 October 1956.
    (L-R) Larry and Bruce McKinlay.
    Courtesy Bruce McKinlay.

  20. On the SS Homeric watching a tug boat move the ship from the dock at Le Havre - July 1956.
    Courtesy Joan Burford (now Cruickshank).

  21. Sgt Robert Burford on the deck of the SS Homeric - July 1956.
    Courtesy Joan Burford (now Cruickshank).

  22. Sgt Robert Burford in his cabin on the SS Homeric - July 1956.
    Courtesy Joan Burford (now Cruickshank).

  23. The SS Homeric in port at Quebec City - May 1956.
    Note the Panama registration and flag.
    Courtesy Johnny Vigneault.

  24. Aboard the SS Homeric on stairs leading to the upper deck - May 1956.
    Note the lettering on the upper side of the ship.
    Courtesy Johnny Vigneault.

  25. My family bidding farewell in the cabin on the Homeric - May 1956.
    Standing (L-R) Claude & Madeleine Vigneault, Roger & Colette Vigneault, Nina (my wife). Sitting (L-R) Jean-Paul Provencher, Johnny Vigneault, Marianna Vigneault (my mother).
    Courtesy Johnny Vigneault.

  26. One of many "lounge rooms" on the SS Homeric - May 1956.
    Courtesy Johnny Vigneault.

  27. Johnny Vigneault on the deck on the SS Homeric somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic - May 1956.
    Courtesy Johnny Vigneault.

  28. Some of the "mildly seasick" passengers on the SS Homeric - May 1956.
    (L-R) Nina & Johnny Vigneault and the wife of a plastic industry entrepeneur in New York returning to Paris. We did not digest a great deal of food. Note the dinner menus being set aside.
    Courtesy Johnny Vigneault.

  29. Departure on the SS Homeric from Quebec City - May 1956.
    Johnny & Nina Vigneault in a tourist class cabin.
    Courtesy Johnny Vigneault.

  30. Birthday celebration on board the SS Homeric - 14 October 1955.
    Mary Anne "Doreen" Davies and Richard "Dick" Davies have been identified.
    Courtesy Rick Davies.

  31. Birthday celebration on board the SS Homeric - 14 October 1955.
    Mary Anne "Doreen" Davies and Richard "Dick" Davies .
    Courtesy Rick Davies.

  32. (L-R) Mary Anne and Rick Davies standing by a life preserver on board the SS Homeric - October 1955.
    Courtesy Rick Davies.

  33. Life jacket drill on the SS Homeric - October 1955.
    Back row - Cpl Jack McBeth (to the right of the window), Middle row - Mrs Mae McBeth (4th from left wearing glasses - standing behind her daughter Cheryl). Front row (David McBeth (2nd from left), Cheryl McBeth (3rd from left - the shortest person in the front row).
    Courtesy David McBeth.

  34. SS Homeric Luncheon Menu, page 1 of 3 - 15 May - 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  35. SS Homeric Luncheon Menu, page 2 of 3 - 15 May - 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  36. SS Homeric Luncheon Menu, page 3 of 3 - 15 May - 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  37. SS Homeric Dinner Menu, page 1 of 3 - 14 May - 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  38. SS Homeric Dinner Menu, page 2 of 3 - 14 May - 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  39. SS Homeric Dinner Menu, page 3 of 3 - 14 May - 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  40. SS Homeric Luncheon Menu, page 1 of 3 - 14 May 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  41. SS Homeric Luncheon Menu, page 2 of 3 - 14 May 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  42. SS Homeric Luncheon Menu, page 3 of 3 - 14 May 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  43. Home Lines Passage Contract, Quebec City to Le Havre, France - 11 May 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  44. Home Lines Passengers Receipt, SS Homeric, Quebec City to Le Havre, France - 11 May 1955.
    Courtesy Richard Smith.

  45. List of Passengers on the SS Homeric - 11 May 1955
    Courtesy As Indicated.

  46. One of the bands on the SS Homeric - May 1955.
    Courtesy Gord Ellis.

  47. Photo of SS Homeric - 1954.
    Courtesy Tom Raynor.

  48. Photo of SS Homeric - 1954.
    Courtesy Tom Raynor.

  49. Postcard photo of SS Homeric - 1954.
    Courtesy Home Lines.

  50. Postcard photo of SS Homeric - 1954.
    Courtesy Home Lines.

  51. Postcard photo of SS Homeric - 1954.
    Courtesy Home Lines.

  52. Postcard photo of SS Homeric - 1954.
    Courtesy Home Lines.

  53. Postcard photo of SS Homeric - 1954.
    Courtesy Home Lines.


About This Page

Updated: December 31, 2004