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SS Exeter (II)

Last updated June 2009

General Specifications

Type Cargo Liner, single funnel (American Export)
Displacement 7,970 tons (lt)
Length 473 ft, 1 in
Beam 66 ft
Draft 25 ft
Propulsion Single Screw Steam turbine
Speed 17 kt
Cargo Capacity 150,000 cu. ft, 1600 tons
Propulsion 2 Babcock & Wilcox steam turbines, 8,800shp, 6.473KW

Exeter (II)

In 1948 the USS Shelby was sold to American Export Lines and refurbished as passenger-cargo ship, SS Exeter (II). From 1948 to 1959 Exeter served as a passenger-cargo ship sailing from New York to the Mediterranean as one of the second-generation "4 Aces". The second-generation 4 Aces -- Exochorda (II), Excambion (II), Excalibur (II), and Exeter (II) -- were nearly identical ships. For more details on the second-generation 4 Aces, visit the tab titled "Aces (II) History".

In 1958/1959, American Export Lines discontinued the Mediterranean sailings due to competitive pressures from air transportation and due to increased political tensions in the Middle East.

SS Exeter (II) was sold on 24 September 1965 to the Orient Overseas Line, renamed Oriental Pearl, and re-flagged in Liberia. The Oriental Pearl was scrapped in 1974.

Sources