She was built under yard No. 305 by W Cramp & Sons, Ship & Eng. Building Co., Philadelphia for the Ocean Steam Ship Co. (Spreckel Line, named after the owner John D. Spreckel), San Francisco.
07 August 1900 launched under the name SONOMA.
Tonnage 6.253 grt, 3.911 net, dim. 400.0 x 50.2 x 21.3ft.
Powered by two triple expansion steam engines ?hp, speed 16.5 knots, twin screws.
Passenger accommodation for 231 first, 48 second and 20 steerage, crew 125.
November 1900 delivered to owners.
23 January 1901 sailed for her maiden voyage from San Francisco, she was used in the service between San Francisco to Honolulu, Auckland and Sydney.
1907 Laid up.
1913 Rebuilt with the removal of one deck, and converted from coal to oil burning, then she was placed in the service from San Francisco via Honolulu to Sydney.
November 1917 taken over by USSB for service as a troop transport ship, but the U.S. Government declared South Pacific services essential, so she remained on her schedule.
03 April 1919 resumed service from San Francisco via Honolulu to Sydney under Oceanic management.
21 April 1926 sold to the Matson Navigation Company under subsidiary to the Ocean Steamship Company.
12 May 1932 laid up at San Francisco when new liners took over the service across the Pacific.
18 May 1934 sold to Yiyikimota, Osaka, Japan for scrap, and she left San Francisco in September bound for Osaka under the name SONOMA MARU and Japanese flag.
26 October 1934 arrived at Osaka.
On New Zealand 2001 40c sg?, scott 1695A.
Sources: Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1900. North Star to Southern Cross by John M. Maber.