I watched these ships go into service in the early 60's and sailed on them, then watched them laid up in the Suisun reserve fleet a few miles from my house. Went out to visit all four and the Export Bay and took many pictures. There is nothing worse for a merchantman to go out and visit a "dead" ship. They were great ships to sail on.

My dad served on a ship called the Ambassador, not sure if it was this one. He was either the Radio Operator or Assistant Radio Operator. I know he worked for Farrell Lines at one time, too, and he often went to Dubai. Not sure if these bits & pieces I remember were all at the same time or not. He worked from the late 1960s until 1990. He's gone now so I can't ask him but I really wish I'd paid more attention.

May 10, 2012 - passed through the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal on her final voyager to the breakers at Brownsville TX.

www.travelserver.net/travelpage/aspgallery/pictures/Ad_3618_5.jpg

AS A KID, BACK IN THE SIXTIES, I REMEMBER THAT EVERY OTHER ISSUES OF THE JOURNAL MARINE ENGINEERING LOG RAN ARTICLES WITH AERIAL PHOTOS, DESCRIBING ALL THE BEAUTIFUL STEAM TURBINES CARGO LINERS OF AMERICAN EXPORT, LYKES LINES, FARRELL AND ALL...

Should have been preserved !
Classic American cargo liner of the sixties.
JEREMIAH O'BRIEN could have had company !
What a waste...

Another piece of history to the scrapyard.

Among the last of the classics, headed off to her fate...

Her IMO number is 5110991.

Quite simply, wow!!!! What a handsome ship and a great photo!

More about SS Ambassador and sister ships that served honorably as merchant ships from 1960 to mothballing 1993:
http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/Ambassador_NHRE_History.pdf