SS Lurline: Matson's Queen of the Pacific

The SS Lurline, launched July 18, 1932, became synonymous with vacations to Hawaii in the 1930s and 1950s. Along with her sisters, the SS Malolo, SS Monterey, and SS Mariposa, Lurline helped reinforce Matson Line’s dominance over the Pacific passenger trade. In 1963, the Lurline was sold to the Chandris Line and renamed the RHMS Ellinis, where she served another decade delighting passengers.

Music:

Airae - Random Acts of Kindness
Mica Emory - Things You Say
Yonder Dale - Tiny Surprises
Lofive - Shakedown

Chapters:
0:00 Intro: SS Lurline
0:54 Chapter 1: Captain Matson
4:46 Chapter 2: The Ultimate Lurline
8:18 Chapter 3: The Grand Manner of Matson
11:30 Chapter 4: A Second Lease on Life

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[BigOldBoats]

Loved taking a trip over to the Pacific for a change! What liner should I cover next?

[WINCHANDLE]

Treasured memory...we took the Lurline from SF to Honolulu when Dad was transferred (USN) in 1957. He declined taking a plane because he wanted his kids to experience an ocean voyage. Once again THANKS DAD! The aquamarine '57 Chevy Nomad station wagon came with us, and we have a photo of the car, bundled in a cargo net, being lowered into the forward cargo hold of the ship. Them's were the days. Lurline met by a band, hula dancers, coin divers, sailboats...and each passenger got a neck-full of leis. Thanks for wonderful video. Thanks for resurrecting the memories...choking back tears.

[gbolian]

I took the S.S. Matsonia to Hawaii in 1962 and returned to San Francisco on the Lurline three years later. Courtesy of the U.S. Army. That was my first and second cruise. I was 2 and 5 years old. One of mom's favorite stories was telling people that "the army gave us the option of a military transport ship or the Lurline." We took the cruise

[newsfman]

Loved this one. My mother sailed on the Lurline in 1951 and had a terrific trip.

[keikimike]

I graduated from Cal Maritime Academy in 1965 joined The Masters Mates and Pilots union and got my first job on the Lurline as a Jr Mate. I was so stoked to get my first job on such a cool ship!

[mailelakely]

My Uncle was a Chef on the Lurline in the 60's/70's and her sister ships the Monterey and Mariposa. I remember so vividly catching the bus down to Honolulu Harbor to welcome him back home after a long time at sea. The fragrance of the lei, the sound of the Royal Hawaiian Band, watching the boys dive for coins, and all the happy reunions are in my memory. Boat days were so special!

[bruceebinger]

My father retired as Chf Engnr of the Hawaiian. He started as cabin boy on Lurline in 1925. Merchant Marines during war on Matson ships as supply carrier. After war, stayed with Matson. Worked on Lurline, Mariposa, Hawaiian Wholesaler, Californian, and finally the Hawaiian. Thank you for the great film!

[jamessisley]

We sailed on the Lurline in the summer of 1958 from San Francisco to Honolulu. I still remember that cruise to this day!

[bobgriffiths]

I really enjoyed this wonderful video. I sailed on Lurline in 1966 as a young man and it brought back many happy memories. The girl I met on board was voted Miss Lurline so I enjoyed dating a celebrity. Looking forward to more of your videos.

[griffinbrown]

Normal shipping lines: Have unique names for their ships
Matson: Best I can do is LURLINE

[karenharris]

Wow! Can't believe i found this! My family boarded the Ellinis at Sydney in 1967, i was 8yrs old, we were moving back to the UK. I have fantastic memories of that journey. Thank you so much!

[w.d.g.]

My mom and her sisters really enjoyed those cruises on the matson lines.

[johnjephcote]

The lines of steamships at that time looked so good.

[Nakosuke-]

White Star: **gets critisized for using the names Britannic and Oceanic multiple times**
Lurline: *[nervous sweating]*

[theowlshowofficial]

Here in Honolulu there's Lurline Drive near the top of Wilhelmina Rise. The street below it is Matsonia Drive. BTW, across from Punahou School is Spreckels St. Just thought you might wanna know. 🏝🚙🤔

[brianrich]

My mother was at Hickam Field, where her father was stationed, when Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941. She was evacuated to California abaord the Lurline. Thank you for the tear in my eye...

[coolman]

My favorite of this line was the once existed SS Monterey. Underrated ship.

[sorosaltgaming]

When u see a Big Old Boats vid you know it'a going to be good

[kimweaver]

I live in Hawaii. I got here in May of 1962. On Lurline. Great times. Memorable trip for a ten year old.

[christiancisneros]

I have the working blueprints that were used in the restoration of the Lurline after the war. My grandfather was the man in charge of installing air conditioning, among other things, and it was incredibly complicated. I also own several mess trays from her time as a troopship and a lot of original Matson Line menus from the 40's and 50's. My father in-law went to war on the Lurline and eventually served on the Gambier Bay.
My grandfather was chief engineer on the S.S City of Los Angeles when she was part of the Los Angeles Steamship Company. Unfortunately his photos of his time with the Matson Line were lost before I was born. Thank you for posting this video.