Delta Line (Grace Line) SS Santa Maria "M" Ship 1983

A home video of a trip on the "SS Santa Maria" taken in 1983. This was one of four cargo passenger ships built by Grace Line in 1964 and operated by Delta Lines in the 1970s and early 1980s. These ships were often called the "M" ships. This is of a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco about a year before the four ships were taken out of service. Toward the end of the video, a sister ship, the "Santa Mercedes", is shown. It had been recently taken out of service. It is the only one of the ships that survived the breakers. It became the training ship for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and named the "Patriot State"

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Delta Line
• Grace Line
• SS Santa Maria
• M Ship
• Cargo Passenger
• Ship

[gsquarb]

Yes these ships were well maintained by Grace Line then Delta Line. Sadly a year after this video was taken the ship was taken out of service then scrapped in 1987.

[gsquarb]

I am pleased you enjoyed this video. These ships were great and I had enjoyed traveling on them. Also I traveled on the 52 passenger Grace Line ships. I have posted a video on these.

I sent Capt. Jennings a DVD copy of this video a few years ago. He really enjoyed it.

[jfmcgowan]

Thanks for posting this incredible bit of history. As a cadet at Massachusetts Maritime Acedemy I sailed on the Patriot State (ex SS Santa Mercedes), sister to the ship in this video. It was fascinating to see these ships doing what they were designed to do. By the time Santa Mercedes/Patriot State arrived at MMA, almost all of the cargo gear was gone. I had always wondered what it was like . Thanks so much for sharing.

[radiator0]

nice to watch thanks, that ship looked to be in A 1 shape

[Voododo]

I no longer work on Tug Boats have started my own tour boat company in San Francisco. The vessel is a 28' long RIB boat, same to those used by the navy seals. We go all over the bay and not a trip goes by I don't think of my Dad and teh Santa Maria and my times going under the Golden Gate on board. I can't get you on a tug boat but I would be more than happy to have you as a guest on my boat.

Google BAY VOYAGER , San francisco so see my boat!

[gsquarb]

@Voododo I traveled on the Santa Maria and met your Father. Also, I met him again when he was Capt. of the SS Monterey in the mid 1980s. I send an estended version of this video to Capt. Jennings son a few years ago. Do you work for tug companies? If so it maybe you I sent to video to.

[Voododo]

Hi, Did you sail on the Santa Maria? If so, we may have met. I'm Charles (Charlie) Jennings and Capt. Jennings was my father. I am doing as much research on the ships as I can and looking for any old video or photos people may have of the ship, interior and such, especially of my dad. Glad you found the video and good to hear you had fond memories of the ship. My dad always raved about the cooking!

[o0pillowpants0o]

WOW ! I cant believe im watching this, I sailed on her 12-13 times around South America, San Francisco and back, as a cook and baker, we carried up to 100 passengers. The video your watching shes leaving san pedro, Ca. headed southbound, the man in the officers uniform is Capt Jennings, Thank you so much for posting this vid, it sure brings back memories :)