ss Bahama Star

7,114 tons; length 466 ft., width 60 ft., draft 24 ft., 15 knots; 247 cabins; 735 passengers; steam turbines, single screw; built 1931, retired 1968

Go to ss Bahama Star brochure

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The success of their earlier ships, Yarmouth and Evangeline prompted Eastern Steamship Lines to look for a larger vessel. At the time, the Arosa Line had their transatlantic liner Arosa Star up for bankruptcy auction, which Eastern acquired for only $510,000. The ship had originally sailed between New York, San Juan and Ciudad Trujillo as the Borinquen and later Puerto Rico. It was renamed Bahama Star and placed in service sailing every Monday and Friday from Miami to Nassau. It was refitted with complete air conditioning, 55 cabins with private, partial or shared bathroom and 192 cabins with wash basin only.

Bahama Star became very well known and popular, even without a swimming pool or extensive sun decks, based on good food, attentive service and innovative entertainment. Eastern boasted it was a "former transatlantic liner" and "the largest cruise ship sailing year round from Miami". After its last refit, public rooms included the main dining room, Star Lounge, Bahama Salon, the Calypso Club and a small game room.

Bahama Star is perhaps best remembered for its role as the primary rescue vessel in the sinking of the Yarmouth Castle. Captain Carl Brown brought his vessel within 100 yards of the flaming ship, lowered 12 lifeboats and rescued 373 passengers and crew. Ironically, the tragedy led to adoption of the 1966 fire safety requirements, which forced older ships like the Bahama Star out of service by 1968.

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