Waterman

Originally built as La Grande Victory, this vessel was one of 413 Victory ships constructed in America during World War II. The ship would go on to serve a distinguished career as a Dutch emigrant vessel, primarily on the Australia route, before ending her days in Mediterranean service.

Construction and Wartime Service

Waterman was constructed in 1944-45 by Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, Oregon as an improved version of the Liberty ship design. The vessel was launched on January 16, 1945, featuring strengthened hulls and decks. During wartime, she could accommodate 1,597 troops with between-deck bunks, galleys, washrooms, hospital facilities, ventilation and heating systems.

Dutch Government Purchase

Following the end of World War II, the vessel was laid up in 1946 and offered for sale in 1947. The Dutch Government purchased her along with two sister ships, the Costa Rica Victory and Cranston Victory (renamed Zuiderkruis and Groote Beer respectively). All three vessels were named after major star formations, with this vessel, representing Aquarius, coming under Royal Rotterdam Lloyd management while Groote Beer was managed by the Nederland Line.

Dutch East Indies Service

Initially refitted for Dutch East Indies service, the vessel was configured to carry 276 passengers in cabins and 575 in dormitories. She maintained this role for approximately four years from 1947 to 1951.

Emigrant Service Conversion

In 1951, Waterman underwent a major conversion at the Nederland Dock Co shipyard in Rotterdam. The work included adding an extra deck and moving the bridge forward atop an extended superstructure. The new configuration provided accommodation for 830 passengers in cabins. Her first post-conversion voyage departed Rotterdam on November 14, 1951, arriving at Fremantle on December 9 and Sydney on December 17.

Australian Service

The vessel served the Australian emigrant route throughout the 1950s. In 1962, both Waterman and sister ship Groote Beer were berthed in Fremantle to provide accommodation for visitors to the Commonwealth Games in Perth. Her final Australian voyage commenced in January 1963.

Final Years

Following Australian service, Waterman was sold to Greek shipowner John S Latsis and renamed Margareta. She provided economy services in the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic, including summer student travel. The vessel was withdrawn from service in 1967 and sold to Yugoslav ship breakers Brodospas, departing Piraeus under tow on November 10, 1967, bound for Split.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Built	1944-45
Builder	Oregon Shipbuilding Corp, Portland
Tonnage	9,176 GRT
Dimensions	455 x 62 ft (138.7 x 18.9 m)
Service Speed	17 knots
Sister Ships	Zuiderkruis, Groote Beer
Former Names	La Grande Victory