Historical information

SS Mariposa was a luxury ocean liner launched in 1931, one of four ships in the Matson Lines "White Fleet", which included SS Monterey, SS Malolo, and SS Lurline. She was later renamed SS Homeric. Mariposa was designed for service in the Pacific Ocean, including regular stops in ports along the West Coast of the United States, Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. On the 12th January 1942 the Mariposa left San Francisco in the "Australian — Suva" convoy escorted by two destroyers and the light cruiser and with two other troopships (destined for Suva). This was the first large convoy to Australia after Pearl Harbor with Mariposa transporting Army personnel, ammunition and fifty P-40 fighters intended for the Philippines and Java.

Physical description

An oil painting of the SS Mariposa in an ornate gold frame.

Inscriptions & markings

Mariposa