Santa Alicia / Santa Regina

The Saint Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959. Upon hearing this announcement, the Grace Line applied for and obtained an approval to operate a Great Lakes route. This proved to be a financial disaster for the company and the route was given up after one season. Two of the ships that the Grace Line operated on the Great Lakes were the Santa Alicia and the Santa Regina. The Santa Alicia began life in 1945 as the Coringa. She was built under the auspices of the U.S. War Department and went through several owners before coming to the Grace Line in 1957. She was sold in 1960 and scrapped in 1969. The Santa Regina began life much the same way as her sister ship. She was built under the auspices of the U.S. War Department as the John Land in 1943. The vessel served in World War II and received five battle stars. After the war, she went through several owners before coming to the Grace Line in 1957. She was sold in 1961 and scrapped in 1969.