SS Malolo

The "SS Malolo" (later known as "Matsonia", "Atlantic", and "Queen Fredrica") was an American Cruise liner built by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia in 1926 for the Matson Line. She was the first of a number of ships designed by William Francis Gibbs for the Matson Line. The Matson Line did much to develop tourism in the Hawaiian Islands. In 1927 it commissioned its largest ship yet, the "Malolo" (flying fish) for the First-Class luxury service between San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. The "Malolo" and other Matson liners advertised superb public rooms, spacious cabins, swimming pools, a gymnasium, and a staff, including a hairdresser, to provide superlative service. [Great Luxury Liners 1927-1954, A Photographic Record by William H. Miller, Jr.]

"Malolo"

The "Malolo" introduced new, vastly improved safety standards which influenced all subsequent American passenger liners. On May 25 1927 while on her sea trials in the western Atlantic, she collided with the "SS Jacob Christensen", a Norwegian freighter, with an impact equal to that when the struck an iceberg and sank 15 years earlier. "Malolo's" advanced watertight compartments allowed her to stay afloat and sail into New York Harbor flooded with over 7,000 tons of sea water in her hull. [Brayard, "By Their Works Ye Shall Know Them", 35-41.]

"Matsonia"

In 1937, Matson docked "Malolo" for a major refit: the ship's lifeboats were moved two decks higher and the deck they vacated was enclosed to create additional berths including new "Lanai Suites". Existing cabins were greatly upgraded; the ship changed from a combination of 457 First class and 163 Cabin class accommodations to 693 First class only. The transformed ship was rechristened "Matsonia". [ [http://www.ssmaritime.com/malolo-matsonia.htm ssMaritime.com Reuben Goossens. "Matson Line: SS Malolo – Matsonia. Later: Home Lines SS Atlantic - Chandris Lines RHMS Queen Frederica"] ]

"Atlantic" and "Queen Frederica"

After serving as a troop ship during World War II she was sold to Home Lines, which renamed her "Atlantic" and later "Queen Frederica" before being sold to Chandris Lines. After fifty years serving as a cruise ship under a number of different companies, she was sold to Greek breakers in July, 1977 and was towed to the breakers yards at Eleusina, Greece. In February, 1978 while her interiors were being demolished she was gutted by fire and work was temporarily halted. Three years later her ravaged hull could still be seen among other ships at the breakers' yard. [cite web| url=http://www.ssmaritime.com/malolo-matsonia.htm| title=SS Malolo – Matsonia| accessdate=2007-06-17]

ee also

*SS "Mariposa" (1931)
*SS "Monterey" (1931)
*SS "Lurline" (1932)

References

External links

* [http://www.ssmaritime.com/malolo-matsonia.htm Malolo – Matsonia]